Dan Radakovich Retiring from Miami Athletics After Boosting Canes Across Sports, Academics, and Fundraising
6 min read
Courtesy of Miami Athletics:
Dear Canes Community,
Our campus is bustling this week as it readies for spring commencement ceremonies, which will include 85 of our student-athletes. We also wrap up our home baseball schedule with our last midweek game plus a crucial three-game ACC series.
On a Personal Note
Last week the university announced that I will be retiring as Vice President and Director of Athletics effective June 1.
I depart with a deep sense of gratitude for the campus leaders that hired me, the staff that worked so tirelessly beside me, and our student-athletes who represented this institution with character and class as they pursued their athletic and academic dreams.
When I arrived more than four years ago, I never could have imagined the success we accomplished as a group. This past season, our football program made a historic run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and created memories for our fanbase to last a lifetime. Who could forget March Madness in 2023, when our men’s basketball team reached its first Final Four, and women’s basketball advanced to its first Elite Eight. Five Hurricanes captured six NCAA individual national championships over those four years, further cementing Miami as a destination for developing elite Olympic athletes.
We also worked together to achieve amazing things in the classroom. Last year we matched our school record with an NCAA Graduation Success Rate of 94 percent. Last fall, our student-athletes set a department record for semester grade point average (3.40) and all 18 programs exceeded a 3.0 GPA for the first time in school history. The Hurricanes also captured the NCAA Team Works Community Service Competition in both 2022 and 2024.
Of course, supporters like you are a major reason why we have been able to have so much success on and off the field. We set fundraising records this year – more than $40 million raised with 10 seven-figure gifts — and this coming season have already shattered our record for football ticket sales. We will also soon open an expanded Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility that will help not only football but all of our student-athletes.
Serving the University of Miami again has been an absolute privilege. This place means everything to me, and I’m proud of what our student-athletes, coaches, staff – and Canes supporters — have accomplished together.
The program is in a great place, and it’s the right time for fresh leadership to shape what comes next. Brian Baptiste and Rachelle Paul will take over as co-leaders of the department during the search for my successor and I know they will do an outstanding job.
The best is yet to come for Miami Athletics and like all of you I will be cheering on the Canes everywhere I go!
Down the Home Stretch
Our baseball team dropped the rubber match of a three-game series at NC State Saturday, which snapped a streak of six consecutive series wins. J.D. Arteaga’s squad currently sits in fifth place in the ACC standings with a top four seed in the conference tournament still very much in play.
The Canes wrap up their home slate with a Tuesday midweek clash against FIU followed by a three-game set with Louisville starting Thursday. We will honor our seniors before Friday’s contest. These are critical games for both ACC and NCAA postseason seeding so we hope to see you at The Light!
NFL Draft Headliners
There was a significant Miami presence at last month’s NFL Draft. Three Canes were selected in the first round – Francis Mauigoa (Giants, 10th overall), Rueben Bain (Buccaneers, 15th overall) and Akheem Mesidor (Chargers, 22nd overall) – which marked the most first-rounders for our program since 2007. We had nine draft picks overall, which was the most in nine years. Congratulations to the newest Pro Canes!
We have an exciting slate of seven home games at Hard Rock Stadium this fall, including ACC opponents like Florida State, Duke and Virginia Tech. Click here or call 1-800-GO-CANES for ticket information so you don’t miss out!
Latest News
Our women’s tennis team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling at No. 2 Auburn Saturday. The Canes, who defeated North Florida 4-0 in the first round, finished the season with a record of 15-8.
Our No. 15 rowing team wrapped up its regular season with a terrific showing at the Lake Wheeler Invitational in Raleigh, setting three program records. The Canes return to Lake Wheeler for the ACC Championships, which start May 15. Seven ACC teams are ranked in the current CRCA poll so it promises to be a competitive regatta!
Our track and field team concluded its regular season at the UNF East Coast Relays this past weekend and now turns its attention to the ACC Championships in Louisville starting May 14. Sean Watkins posted the second-fastest 200-meter time in school history in Jacksonville and Sanaa Hebron recently set a meet record in the 400-meter hurdles at the Penn Relays.
You can stay updated on all our programs by subscribing to our weekly Miami Athletics Report. Click here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday!
Spring Commencement
As I mentioned earlier, starting Thursday we will see 85 student-athletes participate in spring commencement exercises at Watsco Center.
Graduation is a milestone moment for our student-athletes, and I couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments. They have competed at the highest level while challenging themselves academically. I can’t wait to see where their life’s journey takes them from here and I hope to see them return to campus, engaging as proud University of Miami alumni.
Celebration of Women’s Athletics
We had another incredibly successful Celebration of Women’s Athletics banquet last week as we honored current Miami female student-athletes from each women’s program for excellence on the playing field, as well as in the classroom and community for the 12th consecutive year. ESPN’s Debbie Antonelli did a phenomenal job as emcee and swimmer Sarah Sensenbrenner, who will be attending UM’s Miller School of Medicine this fall, delivered an inspiring keynote address. Click here to see a photo gallery. Thank you to everyone who attended for their continued support of our women’s athletics programs!
Our Canes Community remains stronger than ever thanks to your generosity. For one last time in this space…Go Canes!
– Dan Radakovich
Dear Canes Community,
Our campus is bustling this week as it readies for spring commencement ceremonies, which will include 85 of our student-athletes. We also wrap up our home baseball schedule with our last midweek game plus a crucial three-game ACC series.
On a Personal Note
Last week the university announced that I will be retiring as Vice President and Director of Athletics effective June 1.
I depart with a deep sense of gratitude for the campus leaders that hired me, the staff that worked so tirelessly beside me, and our student-athletes who represented this institution with character and class as they pursued their athletic and academic dreams.
When I arrived more than four years ago, I never could have imagined the success we accomplished as a group. This past season, our football program made a historic run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and created memories for our fanbase to last a lifetime. Who could forget March Madness in 2023, when our men’s basketball team reached its first Final Four, and women’s basketball advanced to its first Elite Eight. Five Hurricanes captured six NCAA individual national championships over those four years, further cementing Miami as a destination for developing elite Olympic athletes.
We also worked together to achieve amazing things in the classroom. Last year we matched our school record with an NCAA Graduation Success Rate of 94 percent. Last fall, our student-athletes set a department record for semester grade point average (3.40) and all 18 programs exceeded a 3.0 GPA for the first time in school history. The Hurricanes also captured the NCAA Team Works Community Service Competition in both 2022 and 2024.
Of course, supporters like you are a major reason why we have been able to have so much success on and off the field. We set fundraising records this year – more than $40 million raised with 10 seven-figure gifts — and this coming season have already shattered our record for football ticket sales. We will also soon open an expanded Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility that will help not only football but all of our student-athletes.
Serving the University of Miami again has been an absolute privilege. This place means everything to me, and I’m proud of what our student-athletes, coaches, staff – and Canes supporters — have accomplished together.
The program is in a great place, and it’s the right time for fresh leadership to shape what comes next. Brian Baptiste and Rachelle Paul will take over as co-leaders of the department during the search for my successor and I know they will do an outstanding job.
The best is yet to come for Miami Athletics and like all of you I will be cheering on the Canes everywhere I go!
Down the Home Stretch
Our baseball team dropped the rubber match of a three-game series at NC State Saturday, which snapped a streak of six consecutive series wins. J.D. Arteaga’s squad currently sits in fifth place in the ACC standings with a top four seed in the conference tournament still very much in play.
The Canes wrap up their home slate with a Tuesday midweek clash against FIU followed by a three-game set with Louisville starting Thursday. We will honor our seniors before Friday’s contest. These are critical games for both ACC and NCAA postseason seeding so we hope to see you at The Light!
NFL Draft Headliners
There was a significant Miami presence at last month’s NFL Draft. Three Canes were selected in the first round – Francis Mauigoa (Giants, 10th overall), Rueben Bain (Buccaneers, 15th overall) and Akheem Mesidor (Chargers, 22nd overall) – which marked the most first-rounders for our program since 2007. We had nine draft picks overall, which was the most in nine years. Congratulations to the newest Pro Canes!
We have an exciting slate of seven home games at Hard Rock Stadium this fall, including ACC opponents like Florida State, Duke and Virginia Tech. Click here or call 1-800-GO-CANES for ticket information so you don’t miss out!
Latest News
Our women’s tennis team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling at No. 2 Auburn Saturday. The Canes, who defeated North Florida 4-0 in the first round, finished the season with a record of 15-8.
Our No. 15 rowing team wrapped up its regular season with a terrific showing at the Lake Wheeler Invitational in Raleigh, setting three program records. The Canes return to Lake Wheeler for the ACC Championships, which start May 15. Seven ACC teams are ranked in the current CRCA poll so it promises to be a competitive regatta!
Our track and field team concluded its regular season at the UNF East Coast Relays this past weekend and now turns its attention to the ACC Championships in Louisville starting May 14. Sean Watkins posted the second-fastest 200-meter time in school history in Jacksonville and Sanaa Hebron recently set a meet record in the 400-meter hurdles at the Penn Relays.
You can stay updated on all our programs by subscribing to our weekly Miami Athletics Report. Click here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday!
Spring Commencement
As I mentioned earlier, starting Thursday we will see 85 student-athletes participate in spring commencement exercises at Watsco Center.
Graduation is a milestone moment for our student-athletes, and I couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments. They have competed at the highest level while challenging themselves academically. I can’t wait to see where their life’s journey takes them from here and I hope to see them return to campus, engaging as proud University of Miami alumni.
Celebration of Women’s Athletics
We had another incredibly successful Celebration of Women’s Athletics banquet last week as we honored current Miami female student-athletes from each women’s program for excellence on the playing field, as well as in the classroom and community for the 12th consecutive year. ESPN’s Debbie Antonelli did a phenomenal job as emcee and swimmer Sarah Sensenbrenner, who will be attending UM’s Miller School of Medicine this fall, delivered an inspiring keynote address. Click here to see a photo gallery. Thank you to everyone who attended for their continued support of our women’s athletics programs!
Our Canes Community remains stronger than ever thanks to your generosity. For one last time in this space…Go Canes!
– Dan Radakovich
