GMTS Newsletter 2/2/2012: What is in a name? Ask Miami!

It's Lance,

I graduated college from Miami.  No, the other Miami.  I would suggest the real Miami.  I realize calling my University of Miami located in Florida the real Miami isn't likely going to be very popular around here, given the proximity of Miami University.  But hear this Hurricane out.

The simple fact is, other than here in the Tri-State when you say you attended Miami, people assume you are talking about the University of Miami, not Miami University.  So much that for years, ESPN has put an (OH) behind Miami's name when talking about the school in Oxford.

It shouldn't be hard honestly. My school is University of Miami (often just called The U) while our local school in Oxford is Miami University.  It is usually a non-issue when the formal names are used. When one refers just to "Miami" however, it becomes more open to interpretation.

Apparently not everyone knows about the UM/MU distinction.  Just yesterday I got a press release from a local high school about a local student-athlete.  He had chosen to play a sport for the Redhawks. However, the release say he had chosen University of Miami (OH).  Try and figure that one out.  Yes, there is no such place.

As my brother-in-law (a Redhawk) often reminds me, Miami University was a school before Florida was a state. I get it, I totally understand it.  I have many friends who attended MU and work with many others. It is a great school. But, maybe MU should change their name to avoid further confusion. They already did once (remember the Redskins?).  Maybe they should become University of Oxford? Hmmm, apparently that name is already taken.  But not bad company to be in!

Top Stories On WCPO.com:

I bet Coach Jones will have this guy doing some serious wind sprints soon.

http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/sports/college_sports/university_of_cincinnati/police-arrest-uc-football-player-after-dorm-room-burglary

It's an end of an era at Wal-Mart.

http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/money/consumer/dont_waste_your_money/say-goodbye-to-walmart-store-greeters

If 60 degree is "winter", let's have more of it!

http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/weather/weather_news/pa-groundhog-predicts-6-more-weeks-of-winter

I love a good David vs. Goliath story.

http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/national/woman-wins-small-claims-suit-over-honda-hybrid-mpg

Today's Distracting Link:

A few weeks ago, I asked for your help in making my boyhood home of Hammondsport, NY voted Budget Travel Magazine's America's Coolest Small Town 2012. It worked, sort of.  Now a huge controversy has erupted.  Read about it here:

http://blog.budgettravel.com/budgettravel/2012/02/coolest-small-town-2012-tie.html

Feedback:

Lance.Barry@wcpo.com

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