Florida State athletic director Michael Alford was interviewed on the ACC Huddle: Florida State Road Trip. He offered some insights into how Florida State is competing with its peers in the arena of college athletics.
For the last seven years, Florida State athletic director Michael Alford has crisscrossed the southeastern portion of the United States championing his university to boosters, parents and potential student athletes.
His mission: raise funds and recruit talent to Florida State.
On the ACC Huddle-Florida State Road Trip show, Alford was interviewed, and he offered some insights into the “business” end of college football.
“When I arrived six, seven years ago, Florida State was not up to par to what our peers were, and we had to invest in the resources,” said Alford. “Offering a holistic view, we have a top 25 public education we can offer, now we got these facilities. And, when you come and train mind, body and soul, then you have to invest in the talent acquisition. We are doing that at a high level and giving them the best of both worlds in coming to Florida State. It really represents what Florida State is about, the class of this university, the community and our program.”
So far, this year has been the most successful year of fundraising for Florida State boosters, bringing in a record-setting $106 million. Alford and his department are committed to providing all that is necessary to help his teams be competitive, and ultimately win.
“You have to invest and give them the resources,” said Alford. “In the last several years, we’ve done over $550 million in renovations. We are giving them the resources, now they got to go produce.”
Unfortunately, that production has not materialized on the gridiron for the Seminoles. 17 losses in their last 24 games is not a good return on investment, by any measure. But as the new season approaches, Alford said. “Excitement around this team is high.”
As training camp draws to a close and the week zero game with New Mexico State is upon us, fans and the media could see coach Mike Norvell lead a different Florida State team out of the tunnel at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Men with a desire to be better versions of themselves, to play together as a band of brothers, forged in blood, sweat and tears. They endured the blistering summer heat to transform themselves into warriors in search of gridiron glory, not only for themselves, but for a grateful fan base.
Players flirted with the transfer portal, but changed their minds and returned because they believed in their development within the Seminoles program. Coaches stayed, trained their players hard over the summer leading up to fall camp. Camp is where boys become men, hardened by the daily grind, chipping away at the player he was and becoming a player with a different mindset.
Last season, four of Florida State’s losses were by eight points or fewer. A positive play here or there would have meant the difference between a 5-7 losing season, and a respectable 9-3 season.
September will be the telling point this season. SMU and Alabama, both ranked in the preseason top 25, dot the schedule right out of the gate. Could there be chaos in leadership on the sidelines before the calendar changes to October? Norvell believes the Seminoles are primed to do something special this season.
Saturdays in the fall are where the investment in facilities and talent pays dividends. Alford and the university have receipts. Norvell is currently in default and if the Seminoles do not produce on the field in the form of wins, then Alford will have no choice but to foreclose on Norvell’s career at Florida State.
