FIU Fishing Tournament turns 10, raises 2013 scholarship money

All eyes were on forecasts and radars June 16, as seafaring Panthers and university supporters ventured out for a day of fishing. The previous two evenings had seen South Beach endure fast-rolling thunderstorms, and these Panthers did not want to be caught out on the ocean in the middle of any bad weather.

You see, they had fish to catch and fun to have at the 10^th Annual FIU Scholarship Fishing Tournament, followed by the traditional after-party at Monty’s South Beach.

Rough waters may have translated into few dolphin, but that didn’t mean the celebration would have to suffer. Nineteen teams went out early in the morning and later that afternoon, more than 150 FIU alumni and supporters came out to join them and mark the 10^th anniversary of one of the most fun traditions established by the FIU Alumni Association.

FIU Alumni Association Executive Director Duane Wiles welcomes Ramon Ferran ’79 (far left) and Danny Diaz ’94 back to land. Ferran and Diaz represented not only presenting sponsor TotalBank at the tournament but FIU as well: both are alumni of the College of Business Administration.

“This tournament has been a success because of the effort and support of everyone who has ever come out and participated by either signing up to go out fishing or joined us at Monty’s and bought a raffle ticket,” said Duane Wiles, the association’s executive director. “That’s the reason we can give back to our students with scholarships.”

“Nothing was going to keep us out of the water today,” said Ramon Ferran ’79, a regional manager for the event’s presenting sponsor, TotalBank. “We have been proud supporters of this tournament since the first year, rain or shine. I am not a fisherman and I don’t eat fish, but I fish once a year and I do it for FIU.”

The event has awarded more than $80,000 for scholarships since its inception. This year, the fishing tournament raised $8,000 that will be awarded in 2013 for Legacy ($1,000) and Panther Pride ($750) scholarships. That amount includes the 2012 winnings teams Ocean Bank and TotalBank donated back to FIU.

“We know the reason FIU exists is for our students to get a great education and to have alumni and friends come out and ensure that continues to happen – I can’t thank you enough,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg.

Gloria Miralles ’81 was a proud Panther Mom watching her daughter Cristina received her scholarship.

Cristina Miralles, 22, was among the 15 students who received Panther Pride scholarships at the tournament.

“These scholarships are really great,” said the journalism senior, who works at The Beacon as a designer and a staff writer. “They help us out a lot and recognize our work.”

“They’re a nice incentive,” said Miralles mom, Gloria Miralles ’81, a graduate of the College of Business Administration. “I love that my daughter’s getting this. I’m so proud because she’s so involved with our university.”

The alumni association also presented two students with Legacy scholarships at the event. Throughout the year, it distributed additional funds through other traditions and through the FIU First Generation Scholarship Fund.

This year’s FIU Scholarship Fishing Tournament winners were:

Most Aggregate Dolphin Weight: Team TotalBank ($2,500 prize and a dolphin mount trophy)

Largest Dolphin: Team La Buena Vida ($1,000 and plaque)

Largest Fun Fish: Team Red Stripe ($500 and plaque)

Largest Ladies Dolphin: Team Panorama Travel ($250 and plaque)

2^nd Place Most Aggregate Dolphin Weight: Team Ocean Bank ($500)

2^nd Place Largest Dolphin: Team Red Stripe ($250)