Quote book and video:

On Wednesday's edition of the Osceola's Seminole Sidelines, publisher Jerry Kutz and editor Bob Ferrante discuss FSU's goal to improve the gameday experience. Jerry details what FSU is doing in regards to house music, the volume of the music and when the Marching Chiefs can play.

We also discuss the Osceola's series that details a look at a transformational time in college athletics, taking a look at ACC success initiatives, scholarship additions in baseball and softball as well as money spent on football, lacrosse and more.

Thanks to Seminole Sidelines' sponsors: Alumni Hall, Mowrey Law Firm and Backshore Apparel.

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In my 30 years of being a die hard Noles fan, this is as bad as I’ve seen it.

FSU sports information:

The No. 21 Florida State volleyball team (6-1) kicked off the Seminole Classic with a sweep (25-23, 25-14, 26-24) against Florida Atlantic (5-3) on Friday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Tully Gym. Friday was the first meeting between the in-state foes since 2019, and FSU kept its unbeaten streak alive against the Owls improving to 11-0 all time.

The Seminoles held similar standings with the Owls during the beginning of the first set, but FSU used a 7-1 run to jump ahead 16-11. The Owls continued to chip away, and eventually tied the set at 22. The Owls had a chance to take the lead, but an attacking error gave the point to the Noles. Taylor Head put down a big kill to get the Noles to set point. The Owls responded with a kill of their own, but Khori Louis slammed the ball into the floor to give the Noles the first set.

The second set saw FSU take control early on, and they ran away with the set with some more great offense as they were hitting .491 through two sets.

Set three began with multiple back and forth points with both teams unable to find a rhythm. Florida Atlantic gained some momentum with a 6-1 run to take a 13-9 lead. The Owls took a 15-13 lead into the media timeout, but back-to-back kills from Louis tied the set, and Head gave the Noles the lead. The two teams traded points, but the Owls used a 3-1 spurt to take a 21-19 lead. FSU responded with a 3-0 run of its own thanks to kills from Louis and Filimaua to take the lead. Both teams saw its fair share of errors, but with the set tied at 24, Louis and Filimaua capped off their career nights with back-to-back kills to end the match.

Louis had a game-high 15 kills on 23 attempts (.609) which tied her career high. Louis also contributed eight blocks which was one shy of her career high. Filimaua had a career high in both kills (14) and hitting percentage (.520) while also leading the team with nine digs. Head also had a solid night offensively with 10 kills on 25 attempts (.400). Loren Robertson led the way by dishing out 28 assists to go with seven digs.

FSU continues the Seminole Classic weekend with a matchup against UCF on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game can be watched live on ACCNX.

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Just put one in for Byron Louis. Miami is only going to take one back from HS. Louis has become a major priority for fsu. I feel confident enough to put in a pick for the Seminoles.

Biggest issue with this team. They can’t win 3rd down on either side of the ball.

Can’t DJ Throw down the field!

Much better game day experience with the Chiefs EXCEPT the Memphis band kept playing over us! And they announced from the press box for the Chiefs stop playing to the snap when Memphis was on offense. Hello---tell the other band the same thing!

This is one of my favorite interviews in a while. Hope you enjoy this 1-on-1 with Lamarcus Joyner, who took the time to speak reflectively on his FSU career and very candidly about the mindset of a football player:

Lamarcus Joyner is thankful and honored to be recognized on Friday night as one of the newest members of Florida State’s athletics hall of fame. Joyner played a number of defensive back spots from 2009-13 at FSU, committing to his dream school in the days after the coaching transition from Bobby Bowden to Jimbo Fisher and staying in school to help the Seminoles claim a third national title.

Now retired after nine years in the NFL with the Rams, Raiders and Jets from 2014-22, Joyner is back home in South Florida. He’s the father of five, with a sixth on the way, and is a coach and mentor to football players at all levels. He has a packed schedule on Friday, in part meeting current Seminoles as well as familiar faces like Jerry Latimer, FSU’s longtime director of athletic rehabilitation, and Bruce Warwick, who he knew going back to their days with the Rams, among others who work in and around the Moore Athletic Center.

Florida State’s 2024 class includes Joyner and receiver Anquan Boldin, baseball All-American Ryan Barthelemy, All-American softball pitcher Casey Hunter, NCAA hurdles champion Phillip Riley, tennis great Katie Rybakova and former FSU track athlete and long-time Florida State athletics administrator Bernie Waxman. They will be honored in a ceremony this evening at the University Center Club.

“I don't do well with accolades because that's not really even really why I played the game,” Joyner told the Osceola on Thursday night. “I'm thankful when I do receive it, but I'm more so just there to watch the game (Saturday) and just feel the majesty of being on campus again, being around that atmosphere, that environment. I'm there to just see the younger guys and see what they got, up close and personal.”

Below is Joyner's interview with the Osceola on his FSU career and what his message would be to current Seminoles.

I would really like to know what the percentage is of each team who goes for it on 4th down. Last night Texas State was up 21-7. They were starting to take control of their game vs. Arizona State. They give up a touchdown and now are up 21-14 with about 3 minutes left in the half. They have a 4th and six from ASU 40. Instead of punting after ASU scored on their last drive their coach goes for it. Less than a minute later ASU scores and makes it 21-21. WHY.....WHY.....WHY....Not just punt it. You are doing well. Maybe just maybe you get another stop and get the ball back but going into the half with the lead and not tied at 21 when you were up five minutes earlier by two scores means something.

The Dolphins game....Dolphins HC who I actually really like and think is a very good play caller. Bills are up 17-7. You are still in the game. NO....Gotta go for it on 4th down from the Bills 40. They get the stop and the Bills score to go up 24-7 and basically the game is over. These coaches treat 4th down now like it is just another call. I get it...Play the percentages but some teams are just not good at converting 4th down. Punt the gosh damn ball and live another down. These caoches basically take away chances at winning games. I am against the 4th down calls in the 1st and early 2nd quarters.

Construction crews worked day and night on Doak Campbell Stadium ahead of the football team’s opener last week. There’s also a crane and work crews nearby as the early stages of the football operations building are taking shape.

With all of the activity and more than $400 million being spent on the two football projects, as well as requests from all of the coaches on Florida State’s campus, why would the athletics department launch another sport? The Seminoles will add women’s lacrosse, which is set to play in the spring of 2026, and have already hired coach Sara Tisdale.

The answer is Title IX, a law that requires universities that receive federal dollars to make strides in its offerings of women’s athletics and expand the number of scholarships or opportunities for women to compete in athletics.

“We did a comprehensive Title IX review of where we were when I became athletic director, working with (FSU general counsel) Carolyn Egan,” FSU athletics director Michael Alford told the Osceola. “And just looking at what our numbers were, what our facilities are, the opportunities we provide our student-athletes, so it was a comprehensive Title IX review. After that review, it was obvious we needed to add a sport because we want to always make sure we’re in compliance with Title IX.”

This is a big deal. The motion was filed Tuesday but just listed and uploaded this am (I was looking to see the ACC appealed the jurisdiction order).

This is what I have been calling for for months. This is a legal process based purely on legal argument. It is NOT a time to dispute facts, so it's not limited by speed of discovery. On summary judgment the parties list what they claim are "undisputed facts" and anything actually undisputed can be relied on by the court. I am sure you won't be surprised that parties disagree all the time on what's undisputed and we should expect to see that. If a fact is not totally undisputed the court is to assume the facts claimed by the non party (ACC) is true (just for this proceeding, not the whole case).

FSU is attacking the very nature of the GoR and saying that it's rights are not necessary to the media deal. I have a lot to read, and a lot of this may still be redacted, which will suck. But this is a good thing. This (and the response) will really put the issues to the forefront.

Being played across the country. Not saying FSU wins out or even wins again but I have some hope that Norvell can salvage this season.

FSU will host several dozen prospects on unofficial visits this weekend. Of course, four-star 2025 LB TJ Alford will be making an official visit to FSU this weekend. He is committed to Ohio State currently.

Official Visit:

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Class of 2025 Unofficial Visits:

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From Rivals' John Garcia, updates on prospects from around the state. Story includes thoughts on DE Nicolas Clayton and RB Byron Louis as well as DE Javion Hilson:

Rivals' John Garcia and Marshall Levenson discuss:

In addition to serving as a mea copa on game day fumbles with a promise from the gameday operations staff to rectify it by Saturday, I hope you'll find this aticle an explainer about how the game day operation works in most stadiums across the nation, the important role of the Marching Chiefs, and when and why house music is played. As noted, I served on that opps team for most of 19 years, so its a subject I understand and believe I can offer a perspective worth considering.

Gameday Explainer

FSU president Richard McCullough:

- "I will give you a teeny, tiny update on our lawsuit with the ACC. We underwent court-ordered mediation with the ACC and we continue to have an open dialogue with the ACC. And all of that is good."

- 79,000 high school applicants for 6,000 slots. (Note: I think a few years ago the applicants were 60,000 or 66,000.)

- More than $1 billion in research proposals submitted, an FSU record. FSU has a very high hit rate – 30 percent - McCullough says.

The more we dig in on Byron Louis, the better the FSU spot at No. 1 on his list feels going into decision time. More notes here:

I spoke with Linton last night about the offer and where the Seminoles sit with him.

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