Each year, South Dade honors an important or impactful member of the community as Principal for the Day, where they get to take a tour of the school, meet the staff and students, and experience the welcome of Buc Nation. For this school year, Class of 2014 alum Erik Manoah and 2016 alum Alek Manoah, both members of the 2014 state championship baseball team, were given the honor.
After being greeted by the marching band, cheerleaders and Dashing Dolls and given an escort by JROTC, the day began in Principal De Armas’ office, where the Manoah Brothers went over their duties for the day. They also reminisced about their time as South Dade students, including a story by their baseball coach, Fred Burnside, where Erik was benched for an important game he was supposed to start after being caught somewhere he definitely wasn’t supposed to be by the principal at the time.
“The important thing is they come out as better people, make them better citizens no matter what,” Burnside said.
After leaving the principal’s office, they toured the school and different classes, talking to students and teachers and seeing the changes made to their alma mater, which has since been repainted inside and out, and they made a guest appearance on the news show, The Plank. During lunches, the baseball team hosted a courtyard pep rally, with a runway and music, where Burnside introduced them and the brothers delivered a message to Buc Nation.
“It was inspirational to see them come back because it shows us that if they can be successful, then we can too,” current baseball player Brandon Roman said.
When they finished their lunch, they made their way to the Javier Perez Concourse of Champions, where they were surprised with their families and an unveiling of a banner commemorating their school and career successes.
“It’s pretty amazing, I remember walking through the same hall, looking at the Concourse of Champions, and admiring the impact of the people and how they paved the way for guys like us. To see that we’re following in their footsteps and to be able to be on the wall forever is a pretty cool thing,” Alek said.
Erik was a dominant pitcher while at South Dade, playing a pivotal role in the school’s first and only state championship. He was on the mound to close out the 3-1 victory over Bloomingdale, getting the last four outs to earn the save. Following his remarkable high school career, Erik was drafted in the 13th round by the New York Mets of the Major League Baseball Draft. He is currently a free agent and owns his own training center in Miami, @ManoahMade. He shared a message for all those out there who are in the same position he was once in, who have big dreams like he did.
“Stay in school, keep studying, if you have a dream chase it. Don’t let a teacher, don’t let a student, don’t let a family member tell you no, just keep chasing that dream and going after it,” Erik said.
Little brother Alek was the first baseman and pitcher on that championship team as a sophomore. He went on to two more dominant seasons, including being named the Miami Herald’s South Florida High School Baseball Player of the Year as a senior. After playing collegiately at West Virginia University, Alek was selected 11th overall in the MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. He was an All-Star his rookie year and finished 3rd in the Cy Young Voting.
