FSU Football: Keeping Spring Game In Tallahassee Is The Right Move

FSU football will return their spring game to campus in 2017 and that is the right move.

For all parties involved, FSU football’s spring game in Orlando this past weekend was beyond a success. With just a handful under 50,000 people in the stands (in a stadium that seats 61,000), FSU fans and alumni from all over Central and South Florida were able to see their ‘Noles in action closer to home.

It was also a success in that dozens of recruits from the Orlando, Tampa and South Florida areas were able to come watch FSU football (a huge recruiting tool) while the current Seminoles were able to get a feel of the stadium they will open the 2016 season in against Ole Miss.

As successful as the game was, there was a thought that FSU might try to make this an event happening more often (if not something permanent). Athletic Director Stan Wilcox put a stop to that in telling the Tallahassee Democrat that the game will return to campus in 2017 and would only move if absolutely needed:

"“If you’re willing to give up the recruiting aspect of it by just taking it to a different location (instead of hosting recruits on campus), then maybe you can do it,” Wilcox said. “But most people are not going to do that unless somehow it financially makes too much sense to do it or they’re not going to lose or drop off in recruiting in any way.”"

FSU sought permission from the NCAA to host recruits in Orlando this weekend, which was granted and allowed for coaches to interact with high school stars while coaching the ‘Noles to a 24-24 tie. Wilcox and ticket office officials from FSU say the school will pocket over six figures in money when all the bills are paid and things are worked out.

While it was a great change of pace for fans and alumni in places like Orlando, Tampa, West Palm, Fort Myers and Miami to not have to make that trip to Tallahassee for a game that doesn’t count in the record column, it’s something that doesn’t need to be permanent.

The spring game at any school, including FSU, belongs on campus unless circumstances absolutely force the game to be moved. One of the joys of college football is the on-field campus atmosphere, even in the spring when the game is more about roster spots than national titles.

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Does it mean that future FSU football spring games will be played at a Doak Campbell Stadium that will only be about half full (assuming 35,000-40,000 people show up to the game)? Of course. That’s where it is on FSU athletics and the promotions department to figure out a way to get the fan from Fort Lauderdale, for example, to drive seven hours for what accounts to a meaningless football game.

One such idea: have the game played on the same time as the annual Springtime Tallahassee festival and parade as well as having a baseball series played on the same weekend. If fans feel there is more than just one thing to come up for, it would be worth it. We’ll see what FSU officials have planned for the 2017 game and beyond.

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