When I go there, what I think about is my family. It means a lot to me to be playing this bowl game in Miami. It’s always nice to have a lot of family at your game. That’s what I’m hoping for. I should have 20-plus family members at the game. – Adam Hine
MIAMI — For BYU running back and kick return specialist Adam Hine, this trip to the Miami Beach Bowl is a homecoming of sorts.
“Miami — it's where I was born,” he said, “and it’s where I’m from.”
His mother, Emily, immigrated to Miami from the West African country of Togo. Hine lived here until the age of 4, when he moved to southern Utah.
Hine has a grandfather and several uncles that still live in South Beach.
The Cougars arrived in Miami Wednesday and will begin practicing at Florida International University Thursday morning as they prepare to meet Memphis in the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl on Dec. 22.
“I have a lot of family in Miami,” Hine said. “I’m really excited for that. It’s cool.”
While Hine hasn’t been to Miami in several years, he said he's "gone back and forth frequently."
When the Miami Beach Bowl, in its first year, announced last spring that BYU would be one of its participants, Hine was thrilled.
“When I go there, what I think about is my family,” Hine said. “It means a lot to me to be playing this bowl game in Miami. It’s always nice to have a lot of family at your game. That’s what I’m hoping for. I should have 20-plus family members at the game.”
What did Hine tell his teammates about Miami before the team left for Florida?
“I just told them that the part I’m from, Dade County, is the place you don’t want to go,” he said. “Miami is just hot, nice weather compared to here, and we’re going to be right on the beach, so everyone’s really excited.”
While the wives and children of BYU players traditionally accompany their husbands to bowl games, this year, they won’t arrive until Friday.
BYU has a few other Florida connections. Freshman linebacker Phillip Amone hails from Orlando, Florida. A few players, like wide receiver Mitch Mathews and running back Toloa’i Ho Ching, served missions to Florida.
“Not many of the guys have been to Miami,” Hine said.
The Cougars have never won in the Sunshine State. BYU has an 0-6 record when playing in the state of Florida, including last October’s 31-24 overtime setback at Central Florida.
During their time in Florida, both BYU and Memphis will participate in several activities, including the Beach Bowl Welcome Bash and BBQ at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel Thursday night. On Friday night, the Cougars are scheduled to attend the Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards basketball game at American Airlines Arena.
Saturday features a Lady’s Day Sailing Excursion, and a Kid’s Day Out at the Miami Children’s Museum. The bowl will host a Battle of the Bands Saturday. Sunday features a Children’s Hospital Visit at the Baptist Children’s Hospital.
BYU will hold its traditional fireside Sunday night at Loews Hotel on the eve of the Miami Beach Bowl.
“I’m looking forward to the experience, to the warmth of Miami,” said running back Paul Lasike. “I’ve always heard about the beauty of Miami and I’m looking forward to experiencing it for myself.”
The Cougars say they intend to enjoy themselves in South Beach, but they are focused on winning.
“It’s a great opportunity to be in Miami, but we’re punching in, we’re bringing our steel lunch pails, we’re going to go to work,” said offensive line coach Garett Tujague. “That’s the mindset.”
“We’re definitely going to have a good time in Miami, but we’ve got to win the game, too,” said offensive lineman Tejan Koroma, who will be playing in his first bowl game. “That’s the main reason we’re going.”
“The biggest thing is just to remember the purpose of the bowl game,” said defensive lineman Remington Peck. “We’re actually going to Miami to win a football game. For a while, everyone’s going to enjoy the location — the warm weather will be nice. But we’re going to win a bowl game.”
BYU (8-4) vs. Memphis (9-3)
Miami Beach Bowl
Monday, noon MST Marlins Park
TV: ESPN
Radio: 1160 AM, 102.7 FM