There’s a Miami watch party with a particular player in mind. See the details

By Miami Herald

January 16, 2026 11:31 AM

Christopher Columbus High School alumnus, friends and family react during a watch party at Vice Pizza in South Miami, FL., as Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman Trophy on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Celebrating, left to right are, Lourdes Rayneri, Avian Guerra holding his son Julian Guerrra, 2, Tom Kruczek, Rudy Puig and Nick Ramos. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com

What to know about the Canes-Hoosiers game

Tickets, transporation, parking, watch parties and fan events.

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Lots of watch parties in town are focusing on the hometown Hurricanes.

Sports, bars, strip clubs, high-end clubs, even a movie theater chain are touting special drink deals and rows of big-screen TVs to watch the University of Miami play the Indiana Hoosiers on Monday night.

But there is one watch party that may skew a bit toward the team that wears red. That has to do with school pride for the hometown hero, who happens to play for that other team.

Christopher Columbus High is throwing a watch party for the school community, including students, faculty, parents and alumni. Many, of course, will cheer on Indiana quarterback and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, who played for the Columbus High Explorers.

MORE: Columbus High the center of attention as Miami-Indiana national title game looms

Columbus students and faculty gathered for a photo recently in front of the school’s scoreboard with a message honoring alum Fernando Mendoza Jr. after he won the 2025 Heisman Trophy. Courtesy of Columbus

Mendoza graduated from Columbus High in West Miami-Dade in 2022 before heading to the University of California. He joined the Indiana University Hoosiers for the 2025 football season.

So what is Columbus High doing the night of the big game? Throw a party, of course.

If you’re part of the Columbus community, you’ll need a ticket to attend the festivities, on the athletic field of the school at 3000 SW 87th Ave.

When gates open at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 19, two hours before game time, expect food trucks, a pork roast and family activities. And there will be a live game broadcast as well, of course.

For questions or tickets to the event, contact Cristina Cruz art ccruz@columbushs.com or 305-519-4738.