Built By Boosters

By Jim Crosby

4/2012

"I remember a time when we went to a local bank and borrowed a half million dollars to be able to pay the payroll. We had no cash flow and had spent all our ticket revenue and Booster contributions. We didn't have a nickel."

Andy Miller, Seminole Booster president for 37 years, was reiminiscing about rough times on the road to sucess for the Seminole athletic programs. It is hard for folks to bring that picture into focus these days.

Anyone who left Tallahassee in the 1980s and returned in 2012 would be astounded at what they see. Seminole Territory is all grown up. State-of-the-art facilities abound. Modern, estheically pleasing, multi-functional buildings are everywhere, especially in the athletic arena.

"It is absolutely incredible. I never left, and every day when I drive to work and see the Univerity Center I shake my head in amazement. It is just gorgeous," said Bernie Waxman, associate athletic director for Facility Planning, a 36-year employee.

How did this happen? A lot of folks rolled up their sleeves and went to work. They wrote checks, made phone calls, bought tickets and provided shoulder-to-shoulder support for the Seminoles.

Net result? The Seminole Boosters are approaching a billion dollars raised since 1951, with every penny poured back into Florida State athletics.

It is a stark contrast to the day of "The Erector Set," as many called Doak Campbell Stadium with its steel-supported stands. It was built in 1950 for $250,000 and had 15,000 seats. The stadium now has with 82,300 seats and a $45,000 HD scoreboard, has undergone 15 capacity upgrades and is the centerpiece of a $100 million University Center, a mixed-use facility that has offices, classrooms, a sports store, skyboxes, a restaurant and immense press box.

The University Center complex continues the red brick theme from the university's beginning and is believed to be the largest continuous brick structure in America.

There is hardly a sports fan in the country who has not seen Osceola throw the flaming spear at mid-field. As Coach Jimbo Fisher said, "Florida State is no longer just a regional or even a national team. It is international in its reach." This growth phenomenon is now reflected in its facilities.

The key has been teamwork. Bill Carraway, Booster chairman, 1963, recalls the Booster Blitzes. "We would be assigned different blocks and go out in teams of two, visiting businesses and soliciting membership. It cost $25 to become a Booster, which was a full day's pay for a lot of folks."

That "one-city" team of Boosters has exploded into more than 75 cities in more than 30 states and three countries. Booster membership numbers in excess of 16,000. In 1952, the initial Seminole Booster Group raised $397. Today the Boosters revenues from fundraising exceed $32 million dollars per year.

In the 1970s creative strategies began to unfold that would set the stage for the dramatic growth in facilities and scholarship endowments with record setting contributions.

Under two-term Booster Chairman George Langford and newly hired President Andy Miller, creative levels of giving were established with associated ticket priorities. By the end of the decade, annual contributions had topped $1 million and Doak Cambell's capacity was 43,413.

In the 1980s all sports made gains. The men's basketball team left Tully Gym, built in 1956 with a seating capacity of 1,162, and moved into the Donald Tucker Center, with its 12,100 seats.

In 1983, the Boosters headed a $1 million renovation to Seminole Baseball Stadium. In 1988, the stadium was dedicated as Dick Howser Stadium, named for FSU's first All-American and manager of the World Champion Kansas City A's.

1991 was a landmark year. Florida State joined the Atlantic Coast Conference and began construction of the University Center, a multi-million dollar project conceived by the Boosters, permanently changed the face of Seminole athletics and benefits academics.

Jim Pitts, the vice president of University Relations who led a feasibility study in 1987, became chairman of the University Center building committee. He remarked about the teamwork and collaboration: "Certainly it was a significant effort on the part of the university community. The Boosters wanted to enhance the stadium, and we wanted to have more efficient use of university property." They achieved both.

Completed in 1999, this multi-purpose structure is home to Student Services, the College of Social Work, College of Communications and Dedman School of Hospitality. It includes the Moore Athletic Center, which houses athletic administrative offices, classroom, football locker rooms and a trophy room.

Mark Bertolami, director of Facilities Planning, calls it an example of "strategic partnerships" and said. "What I think is unique about FSU is that when we work on a project it is a very cooperative effort."

In 1995, Athletic Director Dave Hart was hired and brought some revealing information with him. Despite improvements, FSU athletics was behind other major schools in many areas.

A feasibility study assessed the potential for raising $35 million dollars to launch the ambitious "Dynasty Campaign." Hart told the "Report to Boosters Newspaper" that he saw "the working relationship between the Boosters and the athletic department staff grow closer."

The Dynasty Campaign finished with a gala celebration at which Booster Executive Director Charlie Barnes announced the final Campaign tally as $75,311,612.72, exceeding the consultant's projection by $40 million.

Brian Swain, current Booster chairman, explained a key success factor: "No one is claiming this is my turf or this is your turf. Everyone is just working toward a common goal."

In 2001, Seminole men and women's basketball moved into a 40,000-square-foot Basketball Training Center at the Tucker Center. It has greatly enhanced recruiting and consolidated the basketball program in one central area.

New strategies continually evolved as the Boosters sold skyboxes, sponsorships, offered scholarship endowments and instituted a Coach's tour to Booster clubs with VP Charlie Barnes accompanying Bobby Bowden.

One of the popular plans offered to large contributors was "Naming Options." A building or area would be named after a person or family making a significant lead contribution. A major contribution by Mary Ann Stiles and FSU football star Barry Smith built a two-level Team Building to enhance the newly constructed Seminole Softball and Soccer complex.

Russ Morcom, former Booster president and wife Genie, also helped fill a need after meeting with the athletic department and learning of the need for a new swimming pool. They made the lead gift for the Morcom Aquatic Center, a $10.5 million, 10,000-square-foot building featuring an Olympic-style pool with 30 lanes and a diving pool.

Dick Howser Stadium was renovated in 2004 for $12 million. Seating increased to 6,700 with a $150,000 scoreboard. Former players say the stadium now rivals any minor league park and some major league stadiums.

Major donations came from former players Mike Loynd (Tradition Room) and John Ford Griffin (Clubhouse). The attractive Andy Haggard Entry Plaza is named after the former national chairman of the Boosters, a tireless fundraiser.

Today Seminoles athletics have 20 sports and the future looks bright. In January a groundbreaking was held for College Town, a vision to link downtown Tallahassee with the University in a "distinctive living, entertainment and dining district." It was achieved by a converting a piece of land, donated by Shirley and DeVoe Moore who the University Center is named for.

Swain, an ardent supporter of the project, says, "We were able to take a non-earning asset and create a revenue stream that will provide a good solid income year after year."

Coach Jimbo Fisher expressed a desire for an indoor practice facility to avoid losing practice time to the weather. That will become a reality since Ocala businessman Al and Judy Dunlap stepped forward and presented a $5 million donation to enable construction of the facility to begin later this year.

Booster VP of Marketing and Communications Jerry Kutz, reflecting on this exceptional success story remarked, "We are blessed to have visionary leadership, but we also have a fan base that really cares and will write checks. When they contribute they can look at these buildings and feel like owners. They see where their money went."

Teamwork, on and off the playing field, continues to make Florida State University an appealing place for the student athlete, fans and supporters.

Florida State University's Historic Athletic Facilities Time Line
1947 Centennial Field - Florida State Football Begins	1948 Centennial Field - Florida State Baseball Begins	1950 Doak Campbell Stadium built for $250,000. Seating capacity: 15,000	Bob Lee Bannerman One of the first Booster Club members 1952 First Seminole Booster Club formed. Raises $397.
1956 Tully Gym constructed for Basketball Seating capacity: 1,162	1981 Men's Basketball team moves to Donald Tucker Center built by city with Florida State assistance at cost of $33.8 million Seating capacity: 12,100	1983 Seminole Baseball Stadium completes $1 million renovation, including replacement of wooden bleacher seats.	1988 Seminole Baseball Stadium dedicated as Dick Howser Stadium.
1991 Florida State joins ACC University Center groundbreaking. Construction begins on this $100 million project.	1992 Seminole Boosters celebrate 40th anniversary. $70 million raised since inception.	1993 Speicher Tennis Center costs $1.2 million to build; $800,000 in additions.	1998 Dynasty Campaign launched. Mary Ann Stiles and Barry Smith Softball and Soccer Complex completed.
1999 University Center Construction completed. Women's Basketball team moves from Tully to Tucker Center.	2001 Dave Middleton Golf Center constructed at Don Veller Golf Course.	2002 Basketball Training Center added to Tucker Center.	2004 Dick Howser Stadium renovation completed at a cost of $12 million. Capacity increased to 6,700. $150,000 scoreboard installed.
2008 McIntosh Track and Field Building completed at Mike Long Track	2008 Morcom Aquatics Center completed next to Veller Golf Course at cost of $10.5 million.	2012 College Town groundbreaking.	2012 Al Dunlap Indoor Practice Facility construction scheduled to begin Seminole Boosters 60th anniversary. Over $860 million raised since inception.