The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame (UMSHoF) recently announced the signing of Deep Impact Boats as the firstever presenting sponsor of the fourth annual Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys/UMSHoF Celebrity Dolphin Fishing Tournament.
The event activities are set for June 27- 28 at Founders Park at Mile Marker 87 and Coconut Cove Resort and Marina at Mile Marker 85 on the Overseas Highway in Islamorada.
This year’s tournament will be hosted by Michael Irvin, a 2007 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and threetime Super Bowl Champion with the Dallas Cowboys. Irvin was a member of the Miami Hurricanes’ 1987 National Championship team and still holds the UM record for most career receiving touchdowns with 26.
The tournament weekend will begin Friday evening with a party and captains’ meeting followed on Saturday by a full day of fishing, awards dinner and live and silent auctions featuring unique sports memorabilia as well as a variety of gift packages. Cash prizes and trophies will be presented to anglers in eight categories. A portion of the tournament proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys, The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis and the UMSHoF.
“We at Deep Impact Boats know what it’s all about,” said Ivan Gomez, the company’s director of marketing and public relations. “It’s about giving back to our community, and it’s all about the ‘U.’”
K.C. Jones, president of the UMSHoF, said, “Through Deep Impact Boats’ support and that of our other sponsors, we have the opportunity to expand the size and scope of the tournament for the benefit of participants, the nonprofit organizations involved and the businesses in Islamorada.”
Former Hurricanes sports stars scheduled to participate include NFL Hall of Famer and 2012 tournament host Warren Sapp (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders), NFL Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks (Baltimore Colts, Green Bay Packers, Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders), Clinton Portis (Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins), Brett Romberg (Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons), Gary Dunn (Pittsburgh Steelers), Damione Lewis (St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, Houston Texans), Randal Hill (Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints) and 1992 Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta (Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts).
The fourth annual Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys/UMSHoF Celebrity Dolphin Fishing Tournament is presented by Deep Impact Boats and brought to participants by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For information about tournament participation, including boat entry or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.canesfish.com, call 305-667-0399 or contact tournament director Judy Layne at judy@canesfish.com.
