Alumnus returns to Miami Super-Bowl bound

Nick Turnbull ’05 will be at Dolphins Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 4, when the Chicago Bears take on the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI. But the former All-Sun Belt defensive back will not be back in the stands – he will be going as a member of the Bears football team.

The 25-year-old rookie joined the Bears late in the 2006 season after seeing action in two games for the Atlanta Falcons. He made his first NFL regular-season appearance versus Cleveland in November on special teams while playing for the Falcons. The 6’2”, 222 lbs. safety was claimed off waivers by Chicago on Dec. 12.

Turnbull, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, is the first former player from FIU’s football program to make it to the NFL.

While at FIU, the international relations major was a four-year defensive leader for the Golden Panthers. He ended his intercollegiate career as the university’s all-time leader in interceptions with 16 picks and 303 career return yards. He played in all 11 games as a senior.

Here is to hoping Turnbull will not be the only Golden Panther playing in the NFL next season

Chandler Williams and Antwan Barnes were invited to the 2007 NFL Combine recently. Williams was one of 48 wide receivers invited; Barnes one of 19 outside linebackers.

The National Invitational Camp, or NFL Combine as it as more commonly known, is a week-long showcase, that takes place every February in Indianapolis. There, college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of NFL coaches, general managers and scouts.

This year the Combine will run from Feb. 21-27. Some of the tests on which invitees will be evaluated include the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill, position-specific drills, interviews, injury evaluation and drug screens.

The 2007 NFL draft takes place April 28-29.

In related news, Mario Cristobal, the former offensive line coach at the University of Miami and one of the top recruiters and coaches in college football, became the second coach in the history of the Golden Panthers football program when he was hired last December to replace outgoing coach Don Strock.

Cristobal hit the ground running in his new position. Here, in alphabetical order, are his coaching hires thus far:

• Mike Cassano has been named the Golden Panthers’ running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. He has more than 12 years of experience coaching running backs and as an offensive assistant.
• James Coley, who worked most recently as an offensive assistant and quality-control coach with the Miami Dolphins, is the program’s new offensive coordinator.
• Former Rutgers assistant coach Phil Galiano has been tapped as the team’s new defensive coordinator.
• Greg Laffere, who worked most recently as Illinois State assistant coach, is the Golden Panthers’ new offensive line coach.
• Jeff Popovich, who spent the previous two seasons at UM as a defensive graduate assistant, was hired as an assistant coach.
• Dennis Smith is FIU’s new assistant director of football operations. Smith worked as a staff assistant at UM in 2006, assisting with the day-to-day operations of the UM football program.
• Matt Winston is the new director of football operations. He comes to FIU from the Houston Texans, where he worked in college scouting.

Funding for new football stadium approved

The Florida Board of Governors approved a resolution on Jan. 25 that will allow FIU to finance the expansion of its football stadium, in a multi-phase project that includes a student support complex. With this resolution the university will be able to issue bonds to finance the estimated $31-million first phase of the project, which will include the conversion of the home of the Golden Panthers football team from a 7,500 permanent-seat facility, to one with more than 18,000 seats and amenities such as air-conditioned luxury suites, a wrap-around concourse with a full field view, 14 luxury suites, 1,400 club seats, a video scoreboard and a stadium club.

This first phase of the project will be completed by the opening of the 2008 football season.

“We are committed to building a first-class university and this facility will become an integral part of that institution,” said FIU President Dr. Modesto A. Maidique. “It will impact not only our student athletes and our fans but every single student and many alumni who will gather there for many years to come.”

The second phase of the project will include a 100,000 square-foot student center, which will house undergraduate advising, admissions, financial aid and a welcome center. Most of these services have been located on the first floor of the Charles Perry building for years. This phase of the project is expected to be completed in 2011, at a cost of approximately $24 million.

The entire complex will achieve several objectives that will help enhance the student experience at FIU. For example, the administrative portion of the complex will spread traffic and pedestrian patterns more evenly around campus. This becomes more critical as the university’s student body pushes beyond the current 38,000 mark.

Also, a bona fide football stadium will aid in a continuous effort to build affinity among students and alumni, said FIU Athletic Director Pete Garcia.

“Stadiums are landmarks at universities and are among the first things new or prospective students see during an orientation,” Garcia said. “Also, our goal is to continue recruiting quality student-athletes to compete at a Division I level. At this level of recruitment, first impressions count. This improved facility clearly demonstrates our commitment to athletics and to all students.”

The bonds will be repaid with funds from ticket sales, vendor revenues, corporate sponsorships and naming rights. The expansion also opens the door to other sources of revenue, such as the hosting of concerts and other large events.

600th career victory win for women’s basketball coach

Head Coach Cindy Russo earned her 600th career victory after a dominating second half performance propelled the Golden Panthers to a 73-51 win over visiting Central Connecticut in a non-conference game on last month at the Pharmed Arena at University Park.

Russo became just the 13th active head coach in NCAA Division I to reach the 600-win mark. She has a career record of 600-255 (.702) in 30 seasons of coaching, which includes a 560-233 (.706) mark in 28 seasons at FIU.