As was anticipated for weeks, UM decided not to take the city of Miami’s offer of a publicly financed $206 million renovation of the crumbling 70-year-old Orange Bowl, but instead will move in 2008 to the swankier environs of 20-year-old Dolphin Stadium, which is undergoing a privately funded $300 million renovation.

The decision was clearly expected even before UM Athletic Director Paul Dee stepped to the podium Tuesday to announce the vote of UM trustees because media packets already included quotes, comparisons of the OB and Dolphin Stadium and frequently asked questions.

The decision is mainly about the revenue - UM's expected to make millions more annually - but it’s also about providing fans a more enjoyable experience, one where they don’t have to worry about the potential for a light stand to fall on them or to brave the unpleasant restrooms. It’s not about abandoning history and traditions – it’s about moving on and creating new ones. Find a comparison of the stadiums here.

While it seems UM was always going to make the move, everybody involved said Tuesday the decision was an agonizing one that most didn’t want to make. It involved lots of study, tours of Dolphin Stadium with students, discussions with FIU and Miami officials about trying to find a partner to make a more thorough overhaul of the OB more financially feasible.

UM student government president Danny Carvajal was among those who needed convincing. He'll miss the tradition of the OB, but is looking forward to good times at the Canes' new home.

"It’s been rundown and it’s not in the best condition, but that’s part of it," Carvajal said of the OB. “Some complained that Dolphin Stadium is a very sterile, generic environment, but I think when you get that stadium packed with 75,000 fans, that sterile-ness is going to disappear.”

Dee pointed out that lots of teams have moved: the University of Pittsburgh now plays in Heinz Field, the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. “For goodness sake, they’re even building a new Yankee Stadium,” he said.

Other colleges playing in pro stadiums include the University of Minnesota, which is playing at the Metrodome in Minneapolis until its on-campus stadium is complete. The University of South Florida will pay the Tampa Sports Authority $105,000 this year to play its games at Raymond James Stadium, along with a ticket surcharge not to exceed $2.50 per ticket, records show. The school gets to keep most of its revenue and is provided with parking spaces and other benefits.

UM will control the ticket sales at Dolphin Stadium and will share some revenues, including club and suite sales, with its new home.

Ticket prices, which will be announced in January, will rise as they do every year, Dee said. Existing season ticket holders and Hurricane Club members will receive similar seating at Dolphin Stadium. Dee acknowledges the seat relocation process will be difficult, but he promised the university will be reasonable. Fans with questions should visit www.hurricanesports.com or email umfootball@miami.edu for more information about seating.

UM plans to bus students to Dolphin Stadium and drop them off near the student seating area. For those who want to drive, there will be a student parking area. On game days, the stadium will be dressed up to look like it belongs to the Hurricanes.

Dee says the university hopes the fan base will expand with easy access to and plenty of parking at Dolphin Stadium.

“If our fans understand why we made the move to come to Dolphin Stadium, I think if we penetrate Broward and Palm Beach counties, I think there will be more people open to coming to a game than they have in the past,” Dee said. “I think if you’re in Broward and Palm Beach you’ll say now this is accessible to me.”