The U (Miami)

The U is a nickname used for several universities and their sports teams, especially by the local community, and for those with prominent letter U logos. The University of Miami's logo is a "U", painted half green and half orange and adorns their helmets. The University of Miami's green and orange "U" logo was nearly discarded 29 years ago for a "stylized" fish hook - something not as easily expressed with a hand gesture. Then University of Miami student and Student Government campaign manager Danny Salzverg founded the Let's Save The "U" group on campus. By then, the new symbol was already creating controversy. In 1979, some students, including Salzverg, were strongly against changing the logo. Salzverg organized the group of students who began flooding campus walls with black-and-white "Let's save the U" flyers. What started out as a grassroots effort headed by Salzverg, later gained the attention and support needed by faculty, alum, and local media. By 1981, Edward "Tad" Foote replaced Henry King Stanford and reinstated the "U." This was made popular during the 2007 season following the release of Soulja Boy's "Crank That." In the song it appears as if Soulja Boy yells "The U" repeatedly. The song was discontinued following the University administration's discovery of the lyrics' meaning.

"See also: Miami Hurricanes football"