Miami Vice was more than just a popular television program that aired from 1984-89 on NBC. It was a cultural phenomenon that had a profound impact on the city of Miami. The show’s vibrant colors, pulsating music, and stylish fashion made it an instant hit, capturing the imagination of audiences around the world. But Miami Vice did more than just entertain.
It put Miami on the map, showcasing the city’s diverse culture and stunning beauty to a global audience, helping to establish the city as a top tourist destination.
And perhaps Miami Vice's most lasting impact is the way it shaped Miami's cultural identity. The show's portrayal of the city as a vibrant, multicultural, and dynamic metropolis helped redefine Miami's image. Nearly forty years after its debut, Miami Vice's impact on the city of Miami is still felt today. As the only NCAA football program with an on-campus stadium in Miami, FIU is proud to celebrate the legacy of Miami Vice and the cultural identity of this great city by outfitting FIU football players in vice-themed uniforms this fall, debuting Oct. 11 against UTEP.
While Miami Vice had a significant impact on the cultural identity and economy of Miami, the growth of Florida International University has had a profound impact on the education and intellectual development of the city and its residents, making this a perfect pairing.
Founded in 1965, FIU has grown to become one of the largest universities in the United States, with a diverse student body of more than 56,000 students and over 300,000 Panther alumni. FIU is a top public university that drives talent and innovation in Miami and globally. Very high research (R1) activity and high social mobility come together at FIU to uplift and accelerate learner success in a global city by focusing in the areas of environment, health, innovation, and justice. U.S. News and World Report places dozens of FIU programs among the best in the nation, including international business at No. 2. Washington Monthly Magazine ranks FIU among the top 20 public universities contributing to the public good.
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In 2022, FIU Athletics became the only FBS program in the nation to have a different field design for each of its home football games, a tradition that will continue this fall. All six designs, as well as the concept itself, were celebrated by fans, but the vice-themed field for the Panthers' Oct. 14 game against UTSA made national headlines. The drone video debuting the field design garnered FIU's social media accounts their most impressions in over two years and earned over 150,000 video views in just 24 hours.
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The uniform unveil video, which was released at the same time as this photo story, at 8 p.m. ET on Aug. 9, was filmed on the evening of Aug. 4 with locations at Miami Marine Stadium on Key Biscayne and Brickell Bay Avenue in Brickell.
The model for the video, as well as all the photos, was FIU wide receiver Dean Patterson. Patterson played in all 12 games last season, starting five times. His best outing of 2022 was hauling in five catches for 100 yards against Middle Tennessee.
The car in the video and photos below is a 2016 Lamborghini Huracán in blue cepheus, courtesy of Murci Luxury.
The teaser video for the uniform reveal was shot on Sunday, July 23 with FIU head coach Mike MacIntyre on the beach of Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. The visuals pay homage to a scene from Miami Vice's Season 2, Episode 13: Definitely Miami, while the phone call is loosely reminiscent of Sonny Crockett's (as portrayed by Don Johnson) phone conversation in Season 1, Episode 3: Heart of Darkness. The backing track is "Crockett's Theme" as composed by Jan Hammer for Miami Vice.
Credits:
All videos and photos shot and edited by FIU Athletics Social Media Specialist Hunter DuBois