CAT. FIVE: Brandon Mitchell poses by lake Osceola.
Q: How did you first get involved with Category 5?
A: Freshman year I interviewed to be the baseball chair in Category 5, when the Vice Chair was Christina Farmer. I got the position and really enjoyed it so, the following year, I ran for Vice Chair. Last year, I ran for Chair and here I am.
Q: What do you do as chair of Category 5?
A: I work very closely with our Vice Chair, Doug Aguililla, and our adviser, Keith Fletcher, to oversee all aspects of planning events for games and for the different sport teams. We mainly promote school spirit on campus among the students.
Q: What’s one thing you know about the University of Miami that a lot of other students don’t know about?
A: Most people know we have two cannons on campus, but I don’t know if a lot of people realize that one cannon faces towards Florida State University and the other faces towards the University of Florida.
Q: How do you handle your course load in addition to being chair of Category 5?
A: I have a lot of sleepless nights. Just kidding! No, but really, I know what I have to get done so I make sure to put time into my schedule for all my events, so that I don’t get too overworked. I always look at long-term goals so I know I’m prepared for everything.
Q: What’s your favorite thing to do outside of school and Category 5?
A: I’d have to say watching baseball. I played it in high school and I’ve always loved it. I don’t know if I should be proud of this or not but I am a very big Philly’s fan. I have never missed a game. Whether I’m watching it on TV, getting live updates on the Internet, or even having a friend text me updates, I’ve been that avid [of a] fan since I was 14.
Q: What new things are you trying to bring to campus as Category 5 Chair?
A: First of all, we’re introducing the Hurricane Force Incentive Program. We are teaming up with the athletic program and information technology so that you can use your cane card at all games to swipe through automatically, letting you get through much easier. You get a certain amount of points for each football, basketball or baseball game you go to and there are different point levels depending on the team you’re out supporting. At the end, each level of point amount gets prizes and the students are also entered into a raffle. So, for instance, someone with 15 points wins a Hurricane Force t-shirt and is entered into a raffle for two courtside seats at a UM men’s basketball game. The top five contestants with the most points get a flat screen TV. They are also entered into a raffle to win a trip for two; the two lucky contestants get to travel with the football team next year to an away game. We’re hoping that this program will help increase awareness for students about UM sports and jumpstart attendance to all UM games.
Q: What is your favorite UM cheer?
A: When our university mascot, Sebastian, spells out the word ‘Canes: “C-A-N-E-S.” It’s the first thing we do when we score a touchdown or if anything iconic happens at a sporting event. It’s a tradition that has been followed at UM for as long as I can remember
