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MIAMI DOLPHINS FISHING TOURNAMENT BREAKS LAST YEAR’S
FUNDRAISING RECORD - More than $300,000 raised for foundation
By Brandon Dane
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Nothing says “sportfishing” better than Hooters girls
and an open bar. Put those together with Miami
Dolphin football players, coaches and alumni, and
you have the start of one serious fishing tournament. For the
boat captains, of course, tournaments are always serious; for the
celebrity fisherman they are a way to give back to the community.
Either way, the tournament brought in more than $300,000 for the
Miami Dolphins Foundation, eclipsing last year’s $200,000. Once
again, Hooters sponsored the Stiles Corp. Miami Dolphins Fishing
Tournament.
Big 105.9 FM morning radio personality Paul Castronovo,
who has emceed and participated in the past, said the 2006
tournament was especially important to him because part of the
funds would go to cancer research. “It really hits home this year
because my wife was diagnosed [recently] with cancer,” he said.
“I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Miami Dolphin’s Head Coach Nick Saban, along with
Castronovo, opened the Hook & Tackle Captain’s Party adjacent
to Monty’s Raw Bar at the Miami Beach Marina on the evening of
June 2. “We’re glad the community has the opportunity to receive
something back. Our fans have created a positive atmosphere for
us and that’s why so many are eager to give back,” Saban told the
crowd. The one-day tournament was held June 3 and had more
than 100 boats registered to compete. Anglers were fishing for
the largest dolphin, kingfish, wahoo and tuna, in their respective
categories: male, female and junior anglers.
More than 50 Miami Dolphin players, coaches and alumni
participated in the tournament. Players included Ronnie
Brown, Chris Chambers, Channing Crowder, Olindo Mare,
Travis McDaniels, Seth McKinney, Randy McMichael, Frank
Murphy, Jason Taylor and Keith Traylor. Alumni on hand
included Troy Dayton, O.J. McDuffie and John Offerdahl. Wide
receiver Frank Murphy caught the second largest wahoo of the
tournament.
In the male category, Harley Miller, on the BizPoop.
com caught the largest dolphin; the Thomas brothers, Rick
and Jimbo, from the Thomas Flyer, had the biggest kingfish
and tuna, respectively, and won a trip for four with the Miami
Dolphins to a selected away game. Robert Braun from the Heidi
Ho pulled in the winning wahoo. In the female category, the
largest dolphin was caught by Nadine Beckers on the Little
Buddy; largest kingfish was reeled in by Monica Orth on the
Ann Delores. Jorge Piedra, Jr. from the Twin Toys III, was
the best overall junior and landed the biggest kingfish; Logan
Aversa on the New Moon had the winning dolphin; and the
largest tuna was caught by Eric Burke on the Allimanda.
The tournament originated with Scott Chait, a 23-year
old Miami Dolphins Community Relations staff member who
passed away nine years ago due to Cystic Fibrosis. Charities
that will receive funds from the Miami Dolphins Foundation
include Island Dolphin Care, the University of Miami Sylvester
Cancer Center, Boys & Girls Club of Broward, the Coastal
Conservation Association and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
For information about the 2007 tournament, call the Miami
Dolphins Community Relations Department at 954-452-7171.
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