“On behalf of the UM Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, I am thrilled to announce the inductees for the Class of 2025, which consists of UM athletes from seven different sports,” said UMS HoF&M President Coach Mike Ward. . “We will celebrate this diverse class and showcase the outstanding accomplishments of their Miami careers at our Spring 2025 Commencement Gala.”
This year’s class will be officially introduced during an on-field ceremony between Miami and Duke at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 2, as part of the “Hall of Fame Game” ceremony.
The 55th UMSHoF&M Induction Banquet will be held in Spring 2025 with location and date to be announced at a later date. For information about the banquet and other Hall of Fame events, visit UMSportsHallofFame.com or contact UMSHoF&M at 305-284-2775.
The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum is a nonprofit organization founded in 1966 by eight Miami-Dade County Circuit Court judges who are alumni of the University of Miami. The founders wanted to establish an organization that would recognize student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who excelled in sports and brought prestige to the university through their accomplishments and championships. With the addition of the Class of 2025, there have been only 372 honorees inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in the university’s nearly 100-year history.
Biographies of the Class of 2025:
Vicky Alonzo Soccer (2008-2011)
He holds nearly every school record for a goaltender, including wins (36), shutouts (25), saves (358), and minutes in goals (7,256). He also holds three single-season records for saves, shutouts and minutes in goals, finishing in the top 10 in various categories a total of 15 times in his four seasons with the Canes. A third-team freshman All-American in 2008, Vicki set a school record that year with 17 saves in a game against perennial national powerhouse UNC.
Mark Cooper Football (1978-1982)
He was scouted by the Hurricanes as a tight end out of Killian High School in Miami, but due to numerous injuries on the offensive line, coach Howard Schnellenberger moved him to left tackle to protect quarterback Jim Kelly. He was named a second-team Independent South All-American and was selected to the East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl after his final season. Drafted by Denver in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft, “Cope” spent seven seasons in the league and appeared in Super Bowl XXI with the Broncos.
Kevin Howard Baseball (2000-2002)
One of Canes Baseball’s best all-around hitters, Kevin was named the 2000 Rookie of the Year and Baseball America’s Freshman All-American, Louisville Slugger, College Baseball’s Freshman All-American, and He was selected as a third-team All-American in college baseball. Kevin hit .413 with 90 hits and 52 hits in his rookie season. His total number of hits is 260, which ranks him 4th all-time, and his total batting average of .368 ranks him 8th all-time among batters with 300 or more at-bats. In 2002, he had an impressive batting average of .363, 86 hits, 23 doubles, 12 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a .602 slugging percentage.
Cindy Kessler Miller Golf (1975-1978)
Cindy began her career as a walk-on in 1975 and earned a scholarship in 1976. She helped the Canes win back-to-back national championships in 1977 and 1978 and was named an All-American in her senior campaign in 1978. Since she served as the captain of the team. After a brief career with the LPGA, she has established herself as one of the best golf teachers in the world and will be inducted into the LPGA Professional Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2024 later this spring.
Jerome McDougle Football (2000-2002)
One of college football’s best defensive ends, Jerome was named a first-team All-American in 2002 by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and named All-Big East by the league’s coaches in 2001 and 2002. He was named to the first team twice. He was a finalist for the 2002 Ted Hendricks Defensive End Award and was named to the 2001 All-American Third Team by the Associated Press. A key member of the defensive line on the 2001 National Championship team, he was drafted in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and spent six seasons in the league.
