Seminole Boosters, Inc. and the Florida State University Athletics Department have received a leadership commitment from Beth and Lawton Langford in support of Seminole athletics.
The Langfords have been involved with Seminole Boosters for decades. Lawton became involved soon after earning his MBA and law degree in 1982, while Beth was part of the committee of 30 that helped raise funds for women’s athletics.
They have made an unrestricted gift, joining a prominent group of major-gift donors leading the way in the past eight months as part of FSU’s Renaissance Campaign. The Renaissance Campaign is a focused effort to receive gifts in support of a championship future for the football program.
“The football program is in a time of renewal,” Lawton Langford said. “We are fully supportive of getting the athletic department back on very stable ground.”
The Langfords are part of Seminole Boosters’ Group of 20, who are helping build a strong future for FSU Athletics. And this is the legacy of the Langford family – Lawton’s father, George, is credited with helping turn the Seminole Boosters from a social club that was $600,000 in debt in the mid-1970s into a powerful fund-raising organization alongside President and CEO Andy Miller.
“Like father, like son, Lawton is the image of his father, George, the dynamic leader of Seminole Boosters,” said Andy Miller. “Lawton has given his time and incredible talents to Seminole Boosters for decades and now his wife and partner, Beth, who has distinguished herself on a national level, have agreed to serve on the Seminole Boosters Board of Directors. Florida State University is extremely fortunate to have the support of this incredible family.”
“I think the traits of leadership, service and philanthropy must be in the Langford DNA because Beth and Lawton certainly are carrying on the legacy of Lawton’s dad, George, who was a true giant in the community and the university,” said FSU President John Thrasher. “Beth and Lawton are incredible Seminoles. They never turn down an opportunity to assist Florida State by giving their time and energy and, obviously, their treasure. We are truly indebted to them.”
Lawton Langford was in college at Vanderbilt at the time George Langford and Miller were helping build Seminole Boosters. But soon after Lawton returned to Tallahassee to earn his MBA and law degree in 1982 he was given a task by Miller. Bobby Bowden was leading a program that was gaining prominence on the national stage and Miller wanted to spark attendance from students.
“Andy grabbed me and said, ‘We need to come up with a new policy for student tickets to football games,’ ” Langford said. “I had been to Vanderbilt and they had a pretty good program where the student would show their ID and gain admission. I drafted the very first policy or at least of the modern day. Andy had his hooks in me at that point. From there, there were all kinds of fundraising campaigns.”
Lawton Langford has been active with the Boosters ever since and served as the Seminole Boosters’ volunteer chairperson in 1993, the year FSU won its first national football title.
Beth Langford, who earned a degree in communications and public relations in 1981, was part of the committee of 30 that helped celebrate and raise funds for women’s sports teams in the late 1990s. The Langfords have also hosted the FSU women’s basketball team’s Christmas party in each season since Sue Semrau arrived in 1997.
“FSU changed me and strengthened me,” Beth Langford said. “And so that’s why it’s always been a priority to give back in time, talent and treasure.”
Seminole fans interested in supporting FSU football and all 20 varsity sports programs are encouraged to join Seminole Boosters by visiting seminoleboosters.com. Over 40 percent of the operating budget for Athletics comes from Seminole fans whose investments are critical to the success of FSU student-athletes in competition, the classroom, and the community.
