Category 5 earns national recognition for game day spirit

By Isabella Speziani 11-20-2024

The University of Miami's Category 5 spirit organization has earned national recognition as the Taco Bell Live Más Student Section of Traditions, which celebrates its unmatched game day energy and traditions that unite the student body and elevate the Miami Hurricanes' home game experience during football season.

With Taco Bell's campus celebration set for Nov. 20 on the Lakeside Patio, Category 5 is ready to bring even more energy to Hard Rock Stadium for the season's final home game against Wake Forest on Saturday, rallying students to make posters, join the paint line, and uphold the University's traditions. Holly Miller, Category 5's advisor, emphasizes that partnerships like this one amplify school spirit, rewarding students for their dedication and creating unforgettable game day experiences.

"Recognition as the Taco Bell Live Más Student Section Traditions winner is confirmation by outside sports fans, analysts, and coaches that Category 5 is doing exactly what it has always set out to do and doing it at a national level of excellence," said Miller. She added that with iconic traditions like the 1950s-born smoke effect, still created with CO2 fire extinguishers at each game, Category 5 has crafted a uniquely engaging environment where students don't just experience traditions but actively participate in them.

Kelli Gates Fox, a sophomore and football co-chair of Category 5, reflected on the excitement of seeing the student section nationally recognized by Taco Bell, calling it "a huge honor and something I am really proud to have had a part in." Gates Fox said that joining Category 5 has been one of her best college decisions and that the organization has connected her with friends who share a passion for sports and game day energy.

More than just a student section, Gates Fox shared that Category 5 has given her leadership experiences that she hadn't imagined. Whether helping to lead chants or organizing events, she's grown in ways that she is truly grateful for and said, "my college years have been richer because of it.

"When Taco Bell joins us on Nov. 20, the biggest thrill will be seeing students celebrated for their role in making the student section so vibrant," said Gates Fox. "The recognition belongs to every student who cheers on the Canes each game, filling Hard Rock with spirit. Category 5 might lead the cheers, but it's the whole student body that creates this unmatched game day atmosphere."

Julian Sabina, a junior and football co-chair of Category 5, finds pride in the national recognition the student section has received from Taco Bell. For Sabina, the energy, passion, and dedication that Miami students bring to each game make the experience unforgettable and show the world the unique spirit of the University.

For Sabina, this acknowledgment is more than just an award; it highlights the intense passion, creativity, and unity that define the Miami student fan base. Each game day, the Category 5 program pours hours of effort into coordinating chants, crafting creative signs, and building an environment at Hard Rock Stadium that makes Miami's fan experience unforgettable.

Winning the Taco Bell Student Section of the Year title would honor the countless hours students spend preparing to create an electric atmosphere that resonates beyond the stadium.

"It would mean that all the time spent preparing, all the enthusiasm poured into every game, had a huge impact-not just on the team but on the entire college football world," Sabina said.

"From day one, our goal has been to create an electric atmosphere," said Zander Samarasinghe, chair of Category 5. This recognition honors the dedication the student section has poured into creating unique game day traditions, from the Paint Line that sets the energy at kickoff to the Storm Warning, where smoke fills the stands. "This award is proof that our passion, spirit, and commitment to elevating the game day experience have resonated far beyond the stadium," Samarasinghe added.

What sets the University's student section apart from others is a blend of passion, tradition, and a close-knit sense of community. "We aren't just fans; we're a family united by our love for the U," said Samarasinghe.

Samarasinghe stated that every time the smoke fills the section during the game, it creates a dynamic atmosphere that's unmatched in college football. "The energy has reached new levels, fueled by excitement around coach Mario Cristobal and intensified by victories like the University's win over Florida State."

As the Hurricanes' final home game against Wake Forest approaches on Nov. 23, students are preparing to give it their all. "Since it's my last game ever as a UM student, I'll be there cheering loud and proud," Samarasinghe said. He is determined to make this last game memorable and to demonstrate the passion and loyalty of the Canes community.

From Dec. 6-9, vote for Category 5 as the Taco Bell Live Más Student Section of the Year.