In my last (but not least) Q&A interview, I had the privilege of learning more about Lazaro Arribas, also known as Cutler Ridge Laz. If you have attended any Canes game or event, there is a very good chance you have seen Laz, for example, you can usually find him hyping up the crowd at CanesWalk. His CanesFam tailgate has got quite popular over the years and has had appearances from some pretty well-known people such as Joe Rose, Channing Crowder (even Gators can appreciate a CanesFam tailgate), Lamar Miller and DJ Laz to name a few. The cool thing about Laz is that he’ll invite anybody that loves The U to come hangout. Laz eats, sleeps and breathes Miami Hurricanes sports and this interview verifies just that.
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Tell us a little bit about yourself and how/when did you become a Canes fan?
I was born and raised to be a very proud Cuban-American in Miami and for most of my life I lived near the Orange Bowl. As a kid we would sneak into games. We never bought tickets as the gates were manned by aunts, cousins or neighbors. I grew up a Canes Fan and I can’t ever remember not being one. My oldest memories include my brother walking with me on his shoulders down 17th Ave. to see them Canes play!
What is the most memorable Canes game that you’ve attended?
I would say the most memorable would have to be the 1988 Orange Bowl, again, no tickets. I remember we had been parking cars all day on Flagler St. and 15th Ave. for $10 each “no blocking” lol. The game started and we made them punt their first 4-5 possessions. Melvin Bratton had 100 yds in what seemed like in no time. I hated Oklahoma and we left that night walking a little taller, neighborhood kids and all.
What is your typical game day/tailgate routine?
Our routine is a simple a one, pack as much food, booze and stuff in the truck as we can fit and get to the Racetrack gas station on 27th Ave as soon as possible because the CanesFam is waiting! We order the food the night before and pick it up early in the morning on game days. We usually arrive an hour before gates open so we are there as soon as they open them. It’s pretty impressive what has happened in the blue lot. To us it’s an extension of the Orange Bowl. By the time most are arriving we are on the second round of shots lol.
Do you have any game day superstitions?
I do, but I’ll keep them to myself, thank you.
How did you become such a popular figure in the Canes community?
Like I said in the first question, the Canes have been a part of me and my family forever. Throughout my life there has never been a time when Hurricane Football & Baseball weren’t a fixture. I have to thank ‘Mad Dog’ Jim Mandich (RIP), Joe Rose and my family at WQAM for growing my popularity as a Canes Fan.
I’ve called into WQAM for years and they give sports nuts like myself a podium. The bottom line is I’m a neighborhood guy and I love my city and my Canes.
What would you say to the younger generation to convince them to be a Canes fan? They’ve seen UF and FSU win championships but not The U. Why should they be Hurricane fans?
I would tell the older generation to raise Canes! It’s a family thing for me and mine. My son Jordan was born into CanesFam and knows nothing else. If I had to say one thing to the kids of Miami it would be to stay loyal! The home team is the home team and win, lose or draw you stay loyal! Besides, all those other teams are playing catch up.
Who is your favorite Canes player of all time? Why?
Gino Torretta is my all time favorite Cane. Growing up my mother was diagnosed with cancer right about the time Gino got to UM. She passed in 1990 and I was left with Little Havana, The Orange Bowl and my Hurricanes. The San Diego State game will always be a game I remember, in the middle of so much heartache Gino made me forget and hope.
I’ve heard you frequently attend Hurricane Hotline? Can you tell us what its all about?
I love Hurricane Hotline, I haven’t missed one in a while! We had the first one of 2014 on Monday, August 25th. If you are a Canes fan this is one thing you must experience at least once. It takes place at The SandBar in Coconut Grove where the beer is cold and the CanesFam is LOUD! Joe Zagacki and Don Bailey Jr. host Coach Golden along with past and current Canes and we are the background noise lol
Would you like to give any predictions for the upcoming season?
I predict the Canes will win 10 games.Which 10, I don’t know, but 10 regardless! #InGoldenITrust
At the end of my Q&A interview with Laz, I handed over the microphone, per se, and he ended with this:
I want to thank CanesWarning.com for the opportunity to come on here and talk CanesFam because to me in the end if you love the Miami Hurricanes, you are CanesFam! About 4 years ago a bunch of us Orange Bowl refugees happened to meet each other on twitter and @Stem08 coined the phrase ‘CanesFam’ and we’ve never looked back! I am proud to be a part of such an awesome collection of diehard Canes fans. It’s not just the tailgate crew in the blue lot or those that travel to games, its Jimmy in Jersey that can’t make games but is crazy about his Canes, or BJ that lives in the UK and tweets #CanesFamUK, or Camilo Medina who is a U.S. Army Special Ops Recruiter that gets his Canes news off tweets and stays in touch through CanesFam. Charlie Strauzer, a good brother out of New York City, who is also an alumni, runs the @CanesFam account, give it a follow. One recently departed U.M. employee called us “The Forefront Of The Cane Fan Movement” a couple of years ago. I think he said it because there were a lot of us, but to me it meant that when the crap hit the fan some ran but we the CanesFam stayed and ‘Stood With The U!’
Lastly, we do a #CanesFamRadio show Wednesday nights from 10-11 on The Biz 880am in Miami. Also, the store All Canes at 5831 Ponce De Leon Blvd in Coral Gables sells the University of Miami licensed #CanesFam T-Shirt and $1.00 from every shirt goes to the Renewed Campaign. You can reach All Canes at 305-661-9011 or online at AllCanes.Com.
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I’d like to thank Laz for giving me the opportunity to interview him. It was a pleasure to learn more about his background and how he became the extremely passionate Canes fan that he is today.
I feel very grateful that the idea of doing a Miami Hurricanes Diehard Fan Series popped into my head. I see it as a privilege to have interviewed 3 of the greatest diehard Cane fans out there. I look forward to doing another series like this in the future. Maybe you will be interviewed next…