Former Hurricanes Build Awareness of the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & the Screening of "The U"

Miami Alums K.C. Jones, Mark Cooper and Ryan Clement Come Together to Put a Local Spin
on UM’s Sports Hall of Fame and Private Screening of “The U” produced by ESPN Films 

Denver, Colo. (December 1, 2009) — Former Denver Bronco, Super Bowl champion and current member of The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame, K.C. Jones joins former Bronco Mark Cooper and local high school and college star athlete, Ryan Clement in building awareness for The University of Miami (UM) Sports Hall of Fame as well as the exclusive screening of The U, part of ESPN Films’ critically acclaimed “30 for 30” series. 

On Saturday, December 12, 2009, ESPN will premiere a groundbreaking special about the dominance of Hurricane football over the last 30 years. Martha Berry, UM graduate and Denver native will host an exclusive screening of the special at her home in Hilltop with current and former Denver Broncos as well as other local celebrities and athletes with ties to UM.  

“We are proud to build awareness of UM’s Sports Hall of Fame and bring a local spin to the screening of The U, the two-hour documentary about the dramatic rise of the University of Miami football program in the 1980s and it’s impact on college and pro football in the decades that followed,” said K.C. Jones, former Denver Bronco, super bowl champion and current University of Miami Sports Hall of Famer, “With hundreds of UM alumni in Colorado, we thought this would be a great event to build awareness of the Sports Hall of Fame, the alumni affiliations as well as this amazing documentary.” 

The U, directed by Miami native and alum, Billy Corben (Cocaine Cowboys), and produced by rakontur and ESPN Films, is an intimate look at the program’s sudden and jolting transformation into a football powerhouse that essentially changed the rules of the game as told by the players, coaches, students and administrators who were there. The screening will air from 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2009. The Hall of Fame is generously underwriting the event and providing authentic Hurricane treasures shipped directly from Coral Gables including The Heisman trophy won by Vinny Testaverde in 1986. 

“The University of Miami, among other great traditions, has a history rich in athletics with many successes,” said Ryan Clement, local high school star and former starting quarterback at UM. “The Hall of Fame is a tribute to the battles won on many a different field and this special evening will mark a local celebration.” 

The Sports Hall of Fame, although affiliated with the University of Miami, is an independent Non-Profit Organization surviving on contributions and fund raising events. 

About The University of Miami (UM) Sports Hall of Fame

The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame was the brainchild of a group of judges of the Circuit Court of Dade County, Florida, who were also UM alumni. Completed in 1989 as part of the extensive expansion of UM athletic facilities under the direction of former Athletic Director Sam Jankovich, the building is one of an elite handful of dedicated Hall of Fame structures gracing our nation's college campuses. The UM Sports Hall of Fame places on record forever the names and achievements of the men and women who have brought national and international acclaim to their university and who, after graduation, have gone on to bring further credit to their school, their communities and themselves by the manner in which they have assumed their responsibilities as citizens. To date, more than 100 athletes and coaches, including Vinny Testaverde, Russell Maryland, Jimmy Johnson, Jim Otto and Michael Irvin have been inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. For more information visit www.umsportshalloffame.com.