This upcoming weekend, January 15-17, kicks off the celebration for the College Football National Championship taking place in Miami, Florida. The two teams facing off Monday, January 18th, are the hometown heroes, the Miami Hurricanes, and the Indiana Hoosiers, led by Miami native and Christopher Columbus High School alumnus Fernando Mendoza.
The two teams have deep ties to South Beach and, more specifically, our brother school Columbus. For the Hurricanes, they feature a handful of Columbus alumni. Head coach Mario Cristobal ‘88 is a fellow alum along with assistant head coach Alex Mirabal ‘88. Furthermore, players including Bryce Fitzgerald ‘25, Ryan Rodirguez ‘21, and Vinny Gonzalez ‘25 all started their journey right on the Columbus f
ootball team in Westchester.
On the Hoosiers side, quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Alberto Mendoza both played and won a state championship in their time as Explorers. Furthermore, Fernando Mendoza SR. played varsity football alongside Miami’s head coach Cristobal.
At Lourdes, the championship game fosters a sense of connection and fuels spirit for fellow Miami kids playing on the big stage. With meaningful connections on both sides, students find themselves torn on who to root for on Monday. When loyalties are split, which side will Lourdes students choose?
“I’ve been keeping up with both teams all season but even though my mom works at Columbus I think deep down I’ve been cheering for the Hoosiers,” student body president Gergette Galvez-Cuesta said. “So I’ll be wearing red on Monday.”
“As a die-hard Hurricane fan, there is no question as to who I’m cheering for. I’ve literally waited for this my whole life,” student body vice president Ali Brea said.
“I’m very torn and flip flopping, one day I want UM and the next I’m like how can I not want Fernando to win, it depends on the day,” math teacher Mrs.Franyie said.
“I’m a proud graduate of UM and a season ticket holder so I’ve been born and raised in a Hurricane household so I’ll be cheering on the hurricanes on Monday,” theology teacher Mrs. Kopczyk said.
“I’m cheering for Indiana because I love supporting Fernando because he shows exactly what Catholic faith inspires us to be,” Junior Caro Núñez-Menocal said.
“I’m going for UM because I love going to games and I’m actually gonna be there on Monday night so I’m so excited to see them in the Natty,” sophomore Olí Fernandez said.
With opinions from the student body split, it seems there is no definite answer from Lourdes. Some have been born and raised in orange and green, while others feel inspired by faith and familiar faces in Hoosiers red. As Monday night approaches, the matchup represents so much more than just a game. It highlights the bonds between our shared Catholic faith and the bonds created from growing up in Miami.
