FSU athletics: A community commitment

By Jim Joanos

The success of Florida State University's athletics program has been a major source of pride for this community. Much of that success is the result of the support our community has provided.

While currently our main attention is strongly focused on the flagship sport, football, which is going through a difficult transition period, let us not forget that things are still pretty good. Nearly all of the other FSU athletics teams are doing extremely well, some better than ever before. The school's overall athletics program continues to be among the very best in the land.

In 1947, when Florida State College for Women became coeducational and given its new name, "The Florida State University," it immediately began an intercollegiate athletics program. Members of the community flocked to the games to support those early teams.

Soon afterwards, a number of Tallahassseans assisted FSU in securing a football stadium. The Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce organized the Tallahassee Athletic Council composed of several local entities including the Tallahassee Quarterback Club. In less than six weeks of effort, enough funds were secured to begin construction and soon Doak S. Campbell stadium, with 7,500 seats on each side was created.

In 1951, a Tallahassean, Bob Lee Bannerman, led the efforts which established a booster club. His support mainly came from the local community. Owners and presidents of some of Tallahassee's most important businesses were at the center of the project. In the beginning, the Boosters were organized to provide direct support only to the football program. Later as community leaders came forward, a basketball "Tipoff Club" was begun and support for the other sports followed soon thereafter.

The Booster membership rolls continued to increase mainly among the local citizenry. The club expanded into the neighboring towns of Quincy, Perry, Monticello and Thomasville. In the early '60s, it spread throughout Florida and into Georgia and Alabama. At the center of the organization, there continued to be the businessmen and citizens of the Tallahassee area.

In 1972, the Boosters' name was changed to "National Seminole Club." In addition, it became an all-sports organization providing support to all the sports, men's and women's, at FSU.

Unfortunately, shortly thereafter the university's football fortunes declined. The program went through several rather depressing seasons. The 1973 team did not win a single game. In 1974, they won but one. In 1975, but three.

In late 1974 and early 1975, community leaders began to meet again and get involved. Necessary funds were raised. The booster organization changed its name back to the old name which was identified with better times, "Seminole Boosters, Inc."

In 1976, more money was raised mainly from local folks and Bobby Bowden was hired as head coach. Improvement followed. After a 5-6 1976 season, the football team in 1977 went 10-2, and attained a 14th-place national finish. The team began to go to bowl games on a regular basis. From 1987 through 2000, 14 consecutive seasons, the football team was ranked no less than fifth nationally at the end of each season and won two national championships in 1993 and 1999.

FSU's overall athletics program flourished. Success brought lots of new donors. FSU became a member of the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference. Numerous expansions and a complete renovation were performed on the football stadium. State-of-the-art facilities were built for most of the other sports. Throughout it all, FSU's fans, most of whom still coming from the local community, have been very supportive. They have attended events. They have bought tickets. They have donated money.

This brings us to the present situation.

Times are once again a little rough. While the economy is looking a little better, it is still struggling. Lots of folks are out of work. Money is not flowing as it was. The football team, is not as glamorous as it once was. There is confusion and dispute regarding the transitional procedure in going from a legendary coach to the future. Ticket sales and donations are down some. Bandwagon fans are not clamoring to get on board as they once were. Once again, it is down to the community fans and supporters to see us through these problematic times. This time, however, there are many more of us. In addition, there are now many more FSU alumni spread throughout to come forward and help with the need.

This time, too, history is on our side. When a football stadium was needed, folks stepped forward and built one. When it needed upgrading, folks were there again. When there were other needs, they were met. I am confident that in this time of need, that the folks will again step forward and provide what is needed.

They will put an end to the bickering and become unified in support of what continues to be a tremendous success story. They will continue to recognize just how important a successful FSU athletic program is to the economic and overall well-being of our area not to mention the pride that it gives us to be a part of it.

Go Seminoles!