FSU reviewing procedures after spring game

Saturday’s Florida State spring football game and the events surrounding it surpassed expectations and the reviews were overwhelmingly positive.

“The attitude and atmosphere at the stadium was electric,” said Jerry Kutz, Senior Vice President of Capital Campaigns & Projects for Seminole Boosters, Inc.

“As coach (Willie) Taggart made that lap around the stadium high-fiving fans in the final minutes of the game, it was very emotional for our fan base and shows you what kind of excitement is in the program right now.”

A record crowd of 60,934 showed for the Seminoles’ spring game at Doak Campbell Stadium, nearly 20,000 more than expected or even hoped for.

Not all was well, however, as things can go wrong when more fans than expected appear on game day.

And Saturday was an example.

Not all of the stadium’s 12 gates were opened nor adequately staffed by Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC) event staff when gates opened at 4 p.m. – two hours before kickoff.

Lines extended outside the stadium well after the game had started. Some fans indicated they missed the first quarter and staffing at the gates was limited. All tickets (paid and free) were scanned and bags, as is policy, were checked by event staff.

Additionally, not all stadium concession stands were opened, leading to slow-moving and long lines. Many also ran out of food. FSU has a 10-year dining services agreement with Sodexo, which has responsibility for concessions on game days. Volunteer groups also normally work the stands.

“Like always, we will plan and work to enhance the things we did well and look to improve in the areas we need work,” said Karl Hicks Deputy Athletics Director for External Operations.

“It’s an ever-evolving process in event management.”

The FSU administration will meet with CSC, Sodexo and FSU’s game day operations staff to review each of the issues experienced Saturday and plan for the 2019 game.

School officials were hopeful for a crowd of 45,000 Saturday - including students and walkup sales. The projection was based on a combination of past spring games, the excitement surrounding Taggart and a post-game concert. It also was tempered by a weather forecast that called for potential thunderstorms Saturday evening.

Ticket sales hovered just shy of 27,000 Wednesday morning. By Friday morning, ticket sales had reached 31,000 - and 45,000 remained the attendance goal.

The next 24 hours reflected, as Kutz described, the excitement building in the program.

Around 6,000 tickets were sold online, with 14,000 students (free ticket) admitted and another 4,250 tickets sold the day of the game. The weather forecast also improved – thunderstorms didn’t pass through Tallahassee until Sunday morning.

That left FSU dealing with an incredible game experience for most and issues for others.

“Spring games can be a lot tougher to execute than games in the fall when season ticket sales tell you how many people to expect,” Kutz said. “The spring game is not so predictable.”

The Dunlap Champions Club – the premium seating venue in the south end zone – sold out more than a week before the game. That gave the staff time to prepare for its largest crowd to date (more than 5100).

As a result, entry into the club and food and beverage service was efficient, Kutz said.

Kutz explained since the venue was sold out, club management had the benefit of knowing exactly how many customers it needed to serve.

"That really helped them prepare for the club’s largest crowd yet,” Kutz said, noting there were more than 10 events in the club from Friday to Sunday including Taggart’s reunion party for the former players Friday night.

Judging by the array of events and the spring game, Seminole Nation is excited about the start to the Taggart era.

“There was magic in Doak this weekend,” Kutz said.

“Seeing so many of our former players coming back, saying they felt welcomed, is really gratifying for Seminole fans. And then seeing our current players having fun on Saturday, dancing between plays, gave every one of us something fun to look forward to this coming fall.”

