Over my 22 years of life, I have attended roughly 100 Florida State football games (home and away). My father was a graduate of FSU in the 70s. I now too will become a alum at the conclusion of this semester. My earliest recollection of an FSU game was our first national championship against Nebraska. I was three. As Florida State fans, you all know the story. As the years went on, we continued to dominate. The ACC and our rivals, for the most part. It was good to be an FSU fan. After our last national title, our decline started. Not just on the field, but in our stadium. As the product on the field diminished year by year, so did our fanbase. It was crushing to attend a homecoming game that maybe had 60,000 in attendance. I was frustrated as a fan to watch the team I love be coached by men who the game had passed by. Every scheme FSU pulled to put butts in the seats, with the blackouts, whiteouts, Nike Pro Combat-outs, made me more angry. The main ingredient to putting people in the seats is winning, and this was something FSU was not committed to doing. Many have used the argument, "the economy is bad". While this is certainly true and absolutely plays a factor, the main reason FSU has been losing its boosters is product. Ask UF if they have trouble selling out games. No one wants to pay for bad product.

Season tickets have been in my family for many years. My grandfather had them, then passed them on to my father in the mid 70s. I am sure that I too will be given the tickets when the time is right and my father decides he can no longer make the trip to Tallahassee on a weekly basis to attend the games. But until then, I have decided to become a booster as well as purchase my own season tickets. We are all seeing the benefits of a competent coach and staff, both on and off the field. Trouncing both our in-state rivals in a single year was a fantastic feeling. I don't recall enjoying a game as much as I did the UF game in nearly 10 years. At the conclusion of my schooling I will be joining the military or a law enforcement academy. Needless to say, I do not know where I will end up. But I think it is important to show my loyalty and appreciation to FSU and the team by supporting them fiscally. As with many boosters, I expect a good product year after year. That doesn't mean I am expecting National Championships every year, but I do expect a yearly improvement. As a former college football player, I believe in what Coach Fisher says. "You're either getting better or worse. You never stay the same". 

Do I think my meek contribution to the school and football program will make a large impact? No. I am realistic. But I would like to hope as time progresses, others will also contribute in a way they have not previously done so. With FSU's recent commitment to winning and producing a winning culture, my thoughts, views, and opinions of Florida State have been rejuvenated. 

GO NOLES

I'm not sure if this is old news or not but it is official, Marcus Sims will be transfering to North Alabama long with Preston Parker. It is doubtful Sedrick Holloway will get any playing time if he is still part of the team, as he has not be participating in the summer conditioning program. With two fullbacks down I am wondering what our options will be. Possibly Matt Dunham, if he is in football shape. What does everyone think about this?

http://nolesports.tallahassee.com/article/20090715/FSU03/90715013

"Florida State will likely be without backup quarterback E.J. Manuel for the remainder of spring practice"

Apparently E.J. has dislocated the index finger of his throwing hand. He underwent surgery and is listed as as being out "indefinitely" for the remainder of the spring. This leaves Christian Ponder as the only quarterback on scholarship for spring practice(D'vontrey Richardson currently playing baseball). Here is the link to the story:

http://nolesports.tallahassee.com/article/20090318/FSU03/903180337