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...the University of Miami received a donation in late April from a wealthy atheist to endow what it says is the nation’s first academic chair “for the study of atheism, humanism and secular ethics.” ...established after years of discussion with a $2.2 million donation from Louis Appignani, a retired businessman and former president and chairman of the modeling school Barbizon... ....“I’m trying to eliminate discrimination against atheists,” said Appignani, 83, a Florida resident. “So this is a step in that direction, to make atheism legitimate.” ....It took some persuading for the University of Miami to agree to create a chair...

In a long-sought move, the University of Miami won a legislative victory on Wednesday when Florida lawmakers agreed to extend state lawsuit protection to university doctors working in public hospitals. Gov. Rick Scott will likely sign the bill into law. Scott is also expected to sign another lawsuit-limitation bill that passed Wednesday that changes the way people can sue automobile makers. The vote to give “sovereign immunity” to UM has been years in the making. The state protects government hospital employees, residents and interns — including those at Miami’s Jackson Health System — from major medical malpractice judgments. But UM...

Actor Andy Garcia hailed his niece's slain boyfriend, NFL star Sean Taylor, as a ''free safety until the end'' who showed bravery in the last moments of his life to protect his family. Garcia is the uncle of Jackie Garcia, Taylor's girlfriend, who was in the house when Taylor was shot Monday morning, and who hid under the sheets with the couple's 18-month old baby when Taylor confronted his killer. Garcia and her family have kept quiet, declining to speak to the media. Their silence was broken by Andy, who spoke highly of Taylor. ''His heroic action on that tragic...

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- The University of Miami extended the suspension of one player and said further disciplinary measures will be taken in the wake of a sideline-clearing brawl with Florida International.

The University of Miami School of Medicine launched a bold new era today with the announcement of a historic $100 million gift from the family of the late Leonard Miller, a longtime South Florida businessman and philanthropist. In recognition of the biggest gift ever to the University of Miami, the School of Medicine will be renamed the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. UM President Donna E. Shalala (left) with Susan Miller just after the announcement of the $100 million gift and the renaming of the School of Medicine.

Calling allegations arising from recent college sports recruiting scandals "morally reprehensible," NCAA president Myles Brand on Thursday announced the formation of a task force to establish tougher standards. "Given the information that is coming to light on some recruiting practices, I am taking immediate action to address the issue," Brand said. The NCAA leader said he is responding because of allegations at Colorado and other universities. Colorado has been accused by Boulder County District Attorney Mary Keenan of using sex and alcohol to recruit athletes. CU head football coach Gary Barnett, athletic director Dick Tharp and president Betsy Hoffman have...

As Broward County officials prepare to arrest Carol City linebacker Willie Williams for violating probation, the criminal defense lawyer for Williams will try to make the process as painless as possible. ''I called his probation officer to ask for a surrender,'' said Williams' attorney, Paul Lazarus, on Sunday. ``Instead of them coming out and arresting him with a warrant, I requested that they give him a notice to appear.'' That decision would be made by Broward County Circuit Court judge Michael G. Kaplan, the same judge who presided over Williams' felony burglary case in the summer of 2002, when Kaplan...

A lawsuit filed by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal on behalf of five Big East schools, including UConn, against the aforementioned has been assigned to Judge Samuel Sferrazza in Rockville Superior Court in the near future... Blumenthal said in a Sunday teleconference with the media. "We are seeking our day in court. We want a meeting with the judge as soon as possible." The lawsuit wants to stop the ACC from possibly expanding or seek punitive damages if the ACC does expand. The suit contends Miami and Boston College acted deceptively because they talked with the ACC about leaving the...

Governor John G. Rowland, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and University of Connecticut President Philip E. Austin today announced that UConn, along with several other members of the Big East Conference, have sued the University of Miami, Boston College, and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) over the imminent defection of several schools from the Big East to the ACC. The lawsuit, filed today in Hartford Superior Court, accuses the defendants of Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Unjust Enrichment, violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, and other violations of law. The University of Pittsburgh, Rutgers University, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia...

It's a long way from Last Chance, Okla., to the national college football championship. But that's exactly the road traveled by Larry Coker, the undefeated coach of the University of Miami Hurricanes. He was the first coach to win the national championship in his first year as a head coach since Bennie Oosterbaan led the Michigan Wolverines to the crown in 1948. There are lots of bends, potholes and detours on that road, as well as the occasional high-speed chase on the super highway. It took Coker 22 years of coaching high school and college football to become an “overnight...