University of Miami

‘I was once in their shoes.’ See fans with their favorite Hurricanes at CanesFest

Roger Avila, 6, and Ryan Avila, 4, pose for photos with Sebastian the Ibis at Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility during CanesFest at the University of Miami in Coral Gables on Saturday, August 6, 2022.
Roger Avila, 6, and Ryan Avila, 4, pose for photos with Sebastian the Ibis at Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility during CanesFest at the University of Miami in Coral Gables on Saturday, August 6, 2022. adiaz@miamiherald.com

Well over a thousand fans packed the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility on Saturday afternoon for the CanesFest fan festival.

Players sat together at long tables and signed autographs, with coach Mario Cristobal signing autographs near the huge neon U on the wall.

“It’s great,’’ Hurricanes cornerback Tyrique Stevenson said. “I was once in their shoes. Just coming up here and seeing the guys who were here and having them sign something for me meant a whole lot. I kind of embraced that and it made my day a little better. So, yes, I enjoy it. I’m always responding back to fans on Instagram and Twitter. It will go a long way.”

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke and fellow players were available for autographs at Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility during CanesFest at the University of Miami in Coral Gables on Saturday, August 6, 2022.
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke and fellow players were available for autographs at Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility during CanesFest at the University of Miami in Coral Gables on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Xavier Restrepo (7) fist pumps Gabriel Bertot, 5, during CanesFest at Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Miami in Coral Gables on Saturday, August 6, 2022.
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Xavier Restrepo (7) fist pumps Gabriel Bertot, 5, during CanesFest at Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Miami in Coral Gables on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal greets Canes fans at Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility during CanesFest at the University of Miami in Coral Gables on Saturday, August 6, 2022.
Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal greets Canes fans at Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility during CanesFest at the University of Miami in Coral Gables on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Susan Miller Degnan
Miami Herald
Miami Herald sports writer Susan Miller Degnan has been the Miami Hurricanes football beat writer since 2000, the season before the Canes won it all. She has won several APSE national writing awards and has covered everything from Canes baseball to the College Football Playoff to major marathons to the Olympics.
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