School is now back in session, and that can only mean one thing: Friday night lights are back.
In a vibrant celebration of youth athletics and academic ambition, the Miami Dolphins recently welcomed more than 100 South Florida high schools from Miami-Dade and Broward counties and West Palm Beach for a high school media day.
This unique, high-octane experience was designed to celebrate, educate and empower student-athletes, reaffirming the Dolphins’ commitment to developing local youth football and exposing young players to opportunities that extend far beyond the field.
Miami Dolphins hosted the High School Media Day at Hard Rock Stadium for over 100 South Florida High schools in the tri-county area before the start of the 2025 high school football season.
(Mark Stallworth for The Miami Times)
Miami Dolphins Vice President of Community Affairs Kim Miller captured the essence of the day.
“We brought back our high school media day, which the late Jason Jenkins started. This is the first time we’ve done it in a while, but this is an opportunity for high school players to come out from the Tri-County area and to be celebrated,” said Miller.
“It’s about how we empower our young people, investing in them and building relationships with their coaches. We want them to know what’s important, like character building and leadership,” she added.
Education, exposure, empowerment
An educational center was a part of the media day festivities to inform student-athletes about NIL and eligibility requirements at the collegiate level.
(Mark Stallworth for The Miami Times)
From the moment they arrived, student-athletes were immersed in a professional atmosphere that combined NCAA and Name Image Likeness (NIL) education, media training and team building all in one dynamic day.
Industry experts took the stage to guide athletes through the ever-evolving landscape of college eligibility and NIL opportunities. They addressed how to preserve eligibility, create value in personal branding and navigate emerging rights, all with an emphasis on intelligent decision-making and long-term success.
Individual and team press conferences gave athletes real-world media exposure. On dedicated stages, students practiced interview techniques. They represented their programs with poise under the lights, learning not just how to talk about touchdowns, but how to speak confidently about ambition, perseverance and purpose.
Miami Killian football players on stage during the 2025 high school football media day.
(Mark Stallworth for The Miami Times)
Backdrops, lighting and professional photographers only added to the excitement of media day. Teams posed for professional-style photos, serving as both keepsakes and confidence boosters that echoed the polished presentation of big-league media.
Team building and unity
Beyond competition, the event emphasized connection. Interactive team-building sessions encouraged camaraderie across schools and strengthened bonds among teammates, highlighting how football and mentorship go hand in hand with personal and communal growth.
Student-athletes showcased their personalities during their custom photo shoots during the 2025 high school football media day, hosted by the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Mark Stallworth for The Miami Times)
“This is a welcoming feeling,” said Justice Fitzpatrick, a standout defensive back from St. Thomas Aquinas, who shared how special it felt to be a part of the event.
Fitzpatrick is the younger brother of Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
“I’ve been working hard to create my lane to not live under my brother’s shadow, but it’s also a blessing to have an older brother,” said Justice, who will have the opportunity to play in front of his older brother for the first time during his high school tenure.
Steven Wright, quarterback from South Broward High School, also reflected on his experience.
“This is a great experience. As a first-time starter, I don’t get to go to events like this, so I’m excited to be here,” said Wright.
“The NIL session especially hit home. I always thought college was just about the game, but learning how your name can matter, how to do it the right way, that opened my eyes,” he added.
“As a high school coach, you hope your players get seen, but today, the Dolphins didn’t just hope, they made it happen. From presentation skills to media access, this investment in our athletes growth is beyond words,” said coach Damon Jones of Chaminade-Madonna.
A ripple of inspiration
As the day concluded and high school teams packed up their gear, confidence was at an all-time high, making one thing clear: this was more than just an event. It was a launchpad. Student-athletes walked away with tools to showcase their talents in interviews, on campus, and in life.
By bringing top-tier media training, educational support and heartfelt investment to their backyard, the Miami Dolphins reaffirmed that authentic community leadership starts with empowering local youth. And because of this event, the next generation of South Florida athletes is ready to shine.
“This is an awesome event for our student athletes. I’m glad to see this event come back,” said Miami-Dade coaching legend Tim “Ice” Harris, the newly named coach of Mater Academy.
“This will be something that the kids will appreciate as they keep on going to the next level, and they will know how to speak properly, and the reps that they are getting today will last them a lifetime,” he added.
Coaching carousel and opening games
Booker T. Washington unveiled its new jersey, which will be worn this upcoming football season.
(Mark Stallworth for The Miami Times)
This is the first time that multiple schools within Miami-Dade will have new head coaches during the same football season, such as Miami Norland’s Tyronn Johnson, Miami Central’s Derrick Gibson, Miami Northwestern’s Jaquatin Victrum, and Booker T. Washington’s Dorrean James, among others.
Most notably, the two schools that stand out are Booker T. Washington, with coach “Ice” Harris moving on to Mater Academy, and Miami Northwestern, with Teddy Bridgewater returning to the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Miami Norland takes a professional team photo during the 2025 high school media day at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Mark Stallworth for The Miami Times)
Some games to take note of these first few weeks include:
American Heritage vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) – Aug. 22; kickoff at 6 p.m.
Booker T. Washington vs. South Dade – Aug. 22; kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
Miami Central at Jacksonville Raines – Aug. 23; kickoff at 6:30 p.m.
Miami Norland at Lake Mary – Aug. 22; kickoff at 7 p.m.
Chaminade-Madonna vs St. Frances Academy (Maryland) – Aug. 23; kickoff at 8 p.m.
St. Thomas Aquinas vs Mater Dei (California) – Aug. 23; kickoff at 8 p.m.
Miami Northwestern vs Orange Lutheran (California) – Aug. 23; kickoff at 7 p.m.