After what seems an eternity, actually more than a year, eager Seminole fans will make the long-awaited trip to Tallahassee to visit with friends, enjoy tailgate parties and watch their beloved Florida State sports in action while enjoying a delayed Homecoming celebration.
Spring game weekend – April 8-11, 2021 – will be a fun-filled extended weekend with enough events to choose from we thought you would need a guide to help you enjoy them all. Not lost in all these activities is the spring football scrimmage, which will also provide a glimpse into what fans can see for themselves the progress Mike Norvell and his staff have made to rebuild the program.
Thursday, April 8, 2021
What better way to start a weekend than with an in-state grudge match against Miami? FSU’s top 25 men’s tennis team faces the Hurricanes at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the beautiful Speicher Tennis Center. Check it out.
Friday, April 9, 2021
Friday dawns early with two golf tournaments, lots of Seminole sports action, a Homecoming Parade with a twist, and ends late with the Homecoming Live pep rally in Doak and, if you are up to it, a nightcap at 51 on Madison. The new venue is an exclusive benefit of Seminole Booster membership. Reservations are recommended.
The Varsity Club and the Seminole Masters Invitational will host golf tournaments for their respective club members. Varsity Club members will tee off at Southwood at 9 a.m. (sold out).
The Seminole Masters (members only) will take on the challenge of the new Seminole Legacy Golf Club.
The Seminole Masters are boosters who donate exclusively for the FSU men’s and women’s golf program at the highest level ($5000) of the Seminole Boosters’ Coaches Club for golf, which has numerous lower giving levels. Many of these donors have also made capital campaign gifts to golf and are recognized with hole sponsorships on the challenging intercollegiate course and or a new par 3.
“We have 45 members who donate $5,000 or more per year to our men’s and women’s golf program,” said Peter Collins, a member of the FSU Board of Trustees. “Each of us donate to Seminole Boosters – many Golden Chiefs or higher – but the Seminole Masters is a way for us to channel money exclusively for golf.”
The invitational golf tournament was founded by Collins, Lance Barton and golf coach Trey Jones.
“Our members have a passion for golf and for the golf teams,” Collins explained of their propensity to give.
The Seminole Masters Invitational, in its inaugural year, will become an annual event and an exclusive benefit of being a member of the Seminole Masters.
“All the money generated goes back to the golf program,” Collins said.
To learn more about the Golf Coaches Club visit https://boosters.fsu.edu/coaches-clubs or contact Christian Gonzalez Mendez, director of Coaches Clubs, at [email protected] or call 850-645-9836 for information and benefits of each giving level.
A new terrace and clock tower, funded by the members, will be dedicated this weekend. The outdoor gathering place features a memorial wall to honor a member, a player, a coach or someone significant to the golf program.
“Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus Jr. will be our first honorees,” Collins said, noting the Seminole Legacy Course designers now count eight family members who have attended Florida State.
Three top 10 contests (four top 25) within a 100-yard walk
If you are not playing in one of the two tournaments, you’ll want to start you day at the Speicher Center for the top 25 men’s teams match with Boston College at 10 a.m. Within a 100-yard walk of the Speicher, you can enjoy cheering for the No. 6 women’s tennis team in a match with Miami at 4 p.m., No. 2 FSU Beach Volleyball at 4:45 and No. 10 women’s softball at 6 p.m.
You’re going to see some spectacular athletes and teams in action as the women’s tennis team are fresh off a huge win over No. 8 Virginia and the Beach Volleyball team has been ranked No. 1 or No. 2 again this year, after competing for the national championship the past few years. The softball team, which won the national championship in recent years, is looking to find the right combination to make another championship run.
Free music, fun prior to Homecoming Live
There’s something for every member of your family. Join the Homecoming Live FREE pre-party at Langford Green from 5:30-7 p.m., followed by the Homecoming Live (the entertainment event formerly known as Pow Wow) at Doak. Gates open at 7 and the entertainment begins at 8 pm with special FSU performers and a well-known comedian. FSU will crown its Homecoming Chief and Princess. Admission is $25 for adults. Social distancing, mask requirements and other safety practices will be in effect. For additional information, visit https://homecoming.fsu.edu/events/hc-live.
If you have any energy remaining, join your friends for a cocktail and a bite to eat at 51 on Madison.
Saturday, April 10
Sleep in on Saturday morning as a full day awaits you with parking lots opening for tailgating at noon and 51 on Madison opening for those who enjoy a full-serve, pregame experience. Again, reservations recommended.
If you can’t make it to Tallahassee until Saturday, fear not. You can still see the No. 10 women’s softball team in action and the No. 2 Beach Volleyball team prior to the football scrimmage at 5 pm.
Football Game Day Details
There’s a buzz about the FSU football program with cautious talk of improvement. On Saturday, under a setting sun, you’ll be able to see for yourself what improvement has been made during Mike Norvell’s first full spring. For a preview to the football game, see Spring football week 4 observations, Spring Game Preview
What time? The two most important times to remember are noon, when tailgating lots open and 5 pm when the spring scrimmage will start. Gates to Doak will open at 4 pm.
Are tickets available? Yes. Call the FSU ticket office at 850-644-1830 line 1. Stadium seats are $10 each and Dunlap Champions Club seats are available for Champions Club season ticket holders ($40 each) and include food and soft drinks. The box office at Dick Howser Stadium will open at noon day of game. Paid will-call tickets will be handled at Howser, except for Champions Club tickets, which will be available at the Champions Club (box office opens at 3 pm).
Students will be admitted using their student ID at two gates on each side of the stadium and not issued a ticket.
Is the game televised? Yes. If you can’t attend the game, you can watch it on the ACC Network.
Is it a game or a practice? Kind of both. The afternoon will include two, 12-minute quarters with a “TV timeout” programmed after the first change of possession at the six-minute mark in each quarter. The quarters will be an 11 vs. 11 scrimmage. There will also be some individual and special teams work before and after the two quarters. The Marching Chiefs, cheerleaders and Osceola and Renegade will be in attendance, so it should have a game-like feel.
Why this format? The number of practices are limited so Norvell wants to squeeze as much evaluation out of spring as possible. If you are a football geek, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to evaluate next year’s team in this format. The individual and special teams work offer as many opportunities to evaluate as the scrimmage portion and some would argue more.
How many will attend? FSU will make 10,000 general admission tickets and 4,000 student tickets available in the main bowl. The Dunlap Champions Club will admit 1,600 to club seat holders only. The club will be spilt by floor with movement between floors not permitted.
Will I need a mask? Attendees are asked to practice social distancing when seated in the main bowl and Champions Club. Masks will be required when entering and moving around within the stadium. Masks are required while seated unless you are eating/drinking.
Where do I park? Lots 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and lot 14 will open at noon for $8. There will be free parking in lots 11 and 19.
Can I tailgate? Yes, in all lots but lot 9. If you’d like a catered tailgate, click here.
Sunday, April 11
If you still have your legs, you’re a real athlete with another great day awaiting you. And if you’re not a real great athlete, or have lost your legs, we’ve got a great day waiting for you too.
The Seminole Experience, a 4-Mile Race with the finish at the Doak 50-yard line, provides a scenic course through campus, which makes the event well worth getting out of bed for the 8 a.m. start.
Now if you aren’t up for a race, why not take this opportunity to enjoy a 4-mile walk throughout our beautiful campus? You’ll be so distracted by the sights, you’ll reach the 50-yard line before you know it. If you haven’t been on campus in a minute – or a few decades – you will want to calendar this event.
Did I mention the post-race celebration is in CollegeTown?
Great way to get the blood flowing before the drive home.
For more information, visit https://garnetandgoldfourmiler.com/
For those in your group who aren’t quite so ambitious, 51 on Madison offers a great brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Seminole Booster members. Great food and a motivating Mimosa and Bloody Mary bar.
If you’re in no hurry to leave town, you can have brunch and close the weekend at JoAnne Graf field to cheer FSU softball to a sweep of Duke. First pitch 3 pm.
I don’t know about you, but it feels surreal to finally be looking forward to enjoying Seminole sports and binding friendships once again!
