Behind Enemy Lines - Week Six: Chicago

Behind Enemy Lines is a weekly feature on HurricaneSports.com, highlighting the passion of Miami fans in opposing team territory. And if you’re reading this from Chapel Hill, N.C., give us a shout at @HurricaneSports – we want to hear from you.

This week's Cane "Behind Enemy Lines" ...

Jose Armario
Chicago, Illinois

How did you become a Hurricanes fan?
"I can remember being a fan back when Chuck Foreman was our running back, but that strong affiliation has grown over the years from liking the Canes to bleeding Orange and Green everyday.  It's amazing how far the program has come, and while we have gone through some growing pains, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm certain Coach Golden is going to bring our football program back to it's rightful place at the top of the polls." 

Do you find it difficult supporting Miami all the way from Chicago?
"Not at all!  We have alumni and fans across the nation and the world.  I have run into Canes just about everywhere, including places like Mexico, Chile, Spain and Russia.  Like in many of the major cities across the USA, we have a very active Alumni Club in Chicago.  There are great folks who work tirelessly to bring Canes together for game watches, business networking meetings, and our annual Coaches' Dinner and Golf event.  It also helps to have 'CANES' on your car's license and get 'The U' thrown at you from time to time."   

Is there a place you visit to watch Hurricanes games in the city?
"Our Chicago Club has a partnership with "The Hidden Shamrock" in the city.  We have great turnouts to view our home and away games, for both football and basketball.  On a personal note, I love watching my Canes whether at home or during travel, and I will look long and hard to find a place that is showing our game, in Chicago, London, Singapore or wherever I may be."

Have you found any other Hurricanes fans in Chicago?
"Yes, we have plenty of Canes out here.  I've got my good friends and neighbors Raul Alvarez, Bob Mahaney, Dennis Lingle and Stan Papuga around the corner.  Our crew out here is led by David Panitch, Brian Kidder, Stu Ellison, Jess Marquez, and Paul Linden (and many others).  I've also got to call out our biggest supporters from our former athletes like Jarrett Payton, Ted Hendricks, Marcus Nettles and until recently Greg Olsen (who just moved to Carolina)." 

How do you support the Hurricanes – Any apartment decorations? Favorite piece of Canes gear? Travel for games?
"I've got my friends (we are known as the three amigos - Dean Myers, Raul Alvarez and myself) and a crew from Real Cane Talk who travel to several away games every year, and go to home games when in town.  My other support comes in the form of being a Golden Cane for the past five years!"

Any favorite memories or stories from your time as a Hurricanes fan? 
"I have many great memories, but two come to mind right away.  First was attending the National Championship Game in 2002, at the Rose Bowl.  I was there with my son Joey, and my brother in law and alumni Frank Lopez.  It was such a dominating performance.  There is nothing like being number ONE!  We could not have been prouder!  The other has been putting our annual dinner and golf event together with our Chicago Crew.  We have put the event together to help bring alumni and fans in the same room with our head football coach and assistants to honor a former player that has done well for our school and their community.  We have honored Ted Hendricks, Russell Maryland, Ed Reed, Greg Olsen and last year, the playmaker Michael Irvin.  At the same time, we have raised over $350,000 over the past five years to help with academic scholarships for locally accepted students to The U, and for helping support our football program."