Spring 2021 Sport Management Newsletter

SPRING 2021 NEWSLETTER

F L O R I D A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

M A N AG E M E N T

F L O R I D A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

M A N AG E M E N T

CONTENTS A Message from the Chair ............................................................................................... 4 College Football Playoff National Championship Trip ....................................... 5 Interview with Tyrone McGriff ........................................................................................ 6 Dani Morgan - B.S. ‘20 ....................................................................................................... 8 FSU Sport Management Volunteers at Unique Super Bowl .......................... 9 A Virtual, Inclusive Partnership ..................................................................................... 10 Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Minjung Kim ............................................................................. 12 Faculty Spotlight: Coach Nobles ................................................................................. 13

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

A MESSAGE FROM DR. JEFFREY JAMES, CHAIR As the Spring 2021 term closes I have taken some time to reflect on the past academic year. We have completed an entire academic year under the restrictions necessitated by the global pandemic. We have lived through-are still living through-a historic period. COVID-19 has had an unforgettable effect on our lives. The faculty members, staff, and students have been through many changes and adjustments; we have learned to function remotely, and while it is not my preferred mode of operation, I am grateful we were able to move forward. I am truly appreciative of the extraordinary efforts from all that made it possible for us to continue not only our dayto-day operations, but to provide the best quality programs possible within the constraints imposed on us. Having come this far I am truly looking forward to the future and what comes next.

Fall 2021 – we are scheduled to be fully in person and operating without restrictions (fingers crossed this works out). I believe we are all looking forward to coming back together, to be able to drop in to speak with colleagues, for students to come by the office, to have classes in person. I am pleased to report that even with the challenges of the pandemic year, we experienced increased enrollment in our undergraduate and master’s programs. We are on track to maintain that growth with the new students entering both programs in Fall 2021. Some of the increase in enrollment for the master’s program is due to the successful launch of the Combined Pathway Program. Through the program seniors are able to complete master’s level course work that is applied to both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Students that our master’s programs have completed up to twelve credit hours. A positive outcome from our increased enrollment is the addition of a new faculty member!

I am pleased to report that Dr. David Pifer will join the faculty group in Fall 2021. Dr. Pifer brings additional expertise in Sports Analytics. With the addition of Dr. Pifer we will be working to develop additional course work in Sports Analytics. We are very excited about the prospects for this content area, both in attracting prospective students and the opportunities for research. There will be one other change to our faculty group, Mr. Dennis Nobles will be retiring in September. Mr. Nobles served as an adjunct faculty member for many years, and more recently as a full-time specialized faculty member. Mr. Nobles has had responsibility for the undergraduate advising work, and he has done a phenomenal job serving the students. The good news for us is that we are able to hire one of our own, Dr. Mark DiDonato, to fill the specialized faculty member role. Dr. DiDonato returns to Tallahassee and Tully Gym in Fall 2021. We are very pleased to have him returning and are confident he will also do a fantastic job teaching and advising the undergraduate students.

I have written in previous newsletters about the Sport Sales Initiative. Our first cohort has completed the program. We “topped off” the year by having four students participate in the 2021 National Collegiate Sport Sales Championship. It was our first foray into a sport sales competition, and the students did a fantastic job. There were three rounds of competition; all four members advanced to the second round (FSU was the only team with all members to advance), and one of our group advanced to the finals. The team ranked 7th when all the dust had settled. One of our students won the essay contest and two were selected for the “high ethics” group. All in all a fantastic first outing, and one we will build upon in coming years.

The past year will be remembered as the pandemic year, and rightly so. But we have many other positive memories to hold onto as well. We were blessed to come through with good health and good spirits. We have several notable accomplishments, and are left with much to look forward to as we plan for Fall 2021. Have a wonderful summer!

4

PROGRAM NEWS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TRIP

By William Mason

challenges and differences with being able to implement a safe and fun experience for everyone around. This trip taught the group of students just how different sporting events can look from year to year. Even though the National Championship takes place every year, there are certainly no preparations that remain the same. Every venue is different, and each game comes with its own set of unique responsibilities and operations.

In the first trip to kick off the start to the New Year, students from the Florida State University sport management department were invited to help volunteer with ETZEL Agency for the College Football Playoff National Championship game. On Wednesday, January 6, a group of students and program faculty advisor, Dr. Jason Pappas, departed Tallahassee to head down to Miami, Florida, to meet with ETZEL Agency in an annual partnership for the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Because Miami was the host site for the 2021 National Championship, the event provided a tremendous opportunity and access for FSU students since the game took place in the same state. After arriving in Miami, the students met with the ETZEL team to go over the plans for the five-day work week leading up to the game on January 11. Students were excited to get started and learn the aspects of facility and event operations in sports.

Partnering with the ETZEL team provided incredible networking opportunities along the way. Each student was able to have numerous conversations with each employee, as well as some special networking opportunities from other people in the sports industry in town for the game. When work concluded at the end of the day on Saturday, the group of students were surprised with tickets to go and enjoy the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium! It was the perfect cap to the end of a wonderful trip in Miami as Alabama claimed its title over Ohio State.

We are especially grateful that we were able to learn from such a great group at ETZEL. Florida State looks forward to continuing this extremely valued partnership with ETZEL in the future. This partnership will allow many more students to have similar facility and event operations experiences at major events, like the College Football Playoff National Championship.

As the first day of work began, the group of students were tasked with different jobs, including setting up and staging team mannequins, hanging up sponsored signs, creating the numerous sponsor platforms such as the Dos Equis venue, maintaining and operating the perimeter, and more, all on the prestigious Ocean Drive located in South Beach. These tasks took up much of the week.

With this being the first year with COVID-19 guidelines, the procedures for this year’s game and fan experiences were far different than ever before. It presented unique 5

PROGRAM NEWS INTERVIEW WITH TYRONE MCGRIFF

By Michael Harrison

through multiple successful seasons and earning a Coach of the Year Award his first year as a track coach, Coach McGriff was offered an athletic director position at FSUS. After three years as an athletic director, Coach McGriff has recently begun a new position at his school as the director of programs and community development.

What led you to go to FSU for your master’s degree after attending FAMU for undergrad?

While I was at FAMU, I told myself that I wanted to get a complete mix of both the traditional college experience and the professional development experience. I felt that going to school at a Historically Black University, as well as a predominantly white institution, would give me an opportunity to see the cultural differences between both schools.

Why did you choose to go to Florida State?

When I was making my decision, I met with Dr. Pappas and he really sold me on the sport management graduate program. Dr. Pappas is one of the best salesmen I know and served as a big influence in my choice of going to FSU. I would also say that a large part of my decision to go to FSU was because I work for Florida High, and I was able to take classes at FSU for free. I was able to work on my professional skills at the number one sport management school in the nation — it was a no-brainer. It was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.

Tyrone McGriff grew up in a coaching-centered household and developed a passion for sport from his father who coached high school and college football. McGriff followed in his father’s footsteps by attending and playing football at Florida A&M University (FAMU). During his time as a student-athlete, McGriff earned an All-MEAC defensive player award as a defensive end. Once he graduated from FAMU, Coach McGriff began working at Florida State University Schools (FSUS) where he served as a physical education teacher as well as a defensive line coach for the football team. He gained additional coaching experience by coaching track and cross country. After leading both teams

What did the FSU sport management program have to offer that piqued your interest?

The professional development aspect of the program really appealed to me. If you know Dr. Pappas, you know he is one of the most professional people you’ll ever meet. He always makes it a priority to ensure that students will be able to network and communicate professionally. Getting to know him was the selling point. He says all the time in his classes that, “You are going to school to get a job. If you are going to college, go to a college that will get you a job.” I would definitely say that Dr. Pappas helped me the most during my time at FSU.

6

PROGRAM NEWS

How did you get your position as director of programs and community development at Florida High?

I started off as an assistant coach in football and was eventually asked to take over the track program due to my background within the sport. I was able to turn the track program around and lead the team to state runner-up in multiple championships. From there, I took over the cross country program and was able to win coach of the year for cross country during my first year. I was also able to take the team to state for the first time in 15 years. After a couple of seasons, I realized I missed football and decided to coach cross country and football at the same time. My administration saw that I was the head coach of two programs and that I found a way to be successful while also attending FSU as a sport management student. My administration recognized my hard work, extensive experience and academic accolades and offered me an athletic director position.

From there I continued to have success within athletic administration and was given the opportunity to move up to the position of director of programs and community development.

What knowledge have you transferred from being a coach to your current position?

Coaching is all about communication. If you can’t communicate with your kids, then you can’t coach them.

If you can’t get them to follow directions and motivate them to do more or achieve more, then you aren’t going to have a good team. I have been able to take those communication tools that I learned from coaching and apply them to my professional and personal relationships.

What are some of your favorite aspects of your new position?

As director of programs and community development at Florida High, I create and communicate. I pride myself in being creative and trying to find ways to implement someone else’s vision through my creativity. I think that is what makes good coaches become great coaches. For example, Nick Saban sees things differently than other

coaches. In order for you to be elite at something, that means you can do something that no one else can do. So what I try to pride myself in is the fact that no one else has the same skillset to think in a creative manner in the way I do. I get the chance to think creatively at my job everyday through activities like monitoring social media pages and finding new ways to get people to invest in the school.

What is the end goal for your career?

I wouldn’t say that I necessarily have an end goal. I’m never satisfied — I just keep climbing. Ithink that’s the competitor in me. I don’t think anyone who is ultracompetitive is ever really satisfied. I thoroughly enjoy the process of getting better at what you’re doing. I actually decided to go back to school recently, and I’m getting another degree in Educational Leadership. It’s the process I enjoy more than anything. I’ve been fortunate enough to move up in my endeavors quickly, so I haven’t gotten a chance to perfect anything yet. At some point when I am comfortable, I’ll have to become content in whatever position that I hold and then try to perfect that.

There isn’t anything wrong with being content once you find that place you want to perfect. I’m not at that point yet though.

What advice would you give someone who is looking to take on roles similar to yours?

You need to diversify your skillset. There is no one particular skill within athletic administration that outweighs the other. Because of this, you have to offer dynamic experience and expertise in order to stand out.

A mix of communication skills, technological skills, and leadership skills are all important. But at the high school and middle school level, it’s important to know what your staff needs to be successful and know how you can help them to be their best. I want to emphasize and say that your career in sport management is a grind. If you don’t have the mindset to work hard every day and enjoy the work you put in, you’re going to have a hard time being successful.

7

PROGRAM NEWS DANI MORGAN - B.S. ‘20

By Conner Evora, master’s student Dani Morgan’s alumni story is a little bit different than a typical college graduate. Morgan, an outfielder for Florida State University’s softball team, was finishing up her final semester in the sport management undergraduate program in the spring of 2020.

She and the rest of the team were in the midst of her final campaign, chasing the ultimate goal of winning a national championship, something she experienced in 2018. The Newnan, Georgia, native had already been accepted into the human resources master’s program at the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business and was planning her life after softball. The team was preparing to embark on a 10-day road trip when administration in the athletic department told them to sit tight. Shortly after, the news hit that the remainder of the season was canceled.

It was hard for Morgan to fathom, but she understood the magnitude of the situation. “We found out through Twitter as we were in a meeting preparing to leave for our next games. It was heartbreaking to think that what we worked so hard for could be taken away so quickly, but some things are bigger than our own feelings, and it was important to remember that,” Morgan said. “There were a lot of unknowns and uncertainty in the situation, but it was something that was being felt and affecting not just NCAA athletes, but pretty much the entire world.”

“My graduate program told me they would support me in whichever decision I made and that I had the option to defer my enrollment a year if I decided to return to Florida State,” Morgan said. “Having the option to defer made my decision a little bit easier, and I ultimately decided to return because of how amazing my experience here had been over the past four years. I knew if I didn’t stay, I would always wonder what if.”

Away from the softball field, Morgan found a love for Human Resources during her undergraduate coursework and decided to pursue a career in the field. “When I was deciding on what to go to grad school for, I did more research and found that HR has many different functions and would allow me to really choose the career path that interested me the most,” Morgan said.

Dani Morgan is still on the career path she originally intended, but now with an unexpected twist thrown in.

She has also taken advantage of the extra time in the classroom, taking classes that will help prepare her for a smooth transition into graduate school. While she is excited to begin her professional career, she is making sure to enjoy every moment she gets as she takes this journey with her team for the (second) last time.

Rumors swirled that the NCAA was considering offering an extra year of eligibility to spring student-athletes.

Morgan had to have a plan ready for each possible scenario and know what she would do if she had another opportunity to play. Ultimately, when the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility, Morgan knew what she wanted to do and was fortunate to get reassurance from her future graduate program at South Carolina.

8

PROGRAM NEWS FSU SPORT MANAGEMENT VOLUNTEERS AT UNIQUE SUPER BOWL

By Amanda Cover Volunteer efforts by Florida State University’s sport management department continue to shine. Over Super Bowl weekend, a dedicated group of students, led by program faculty advisor Dr. Jason Pappas, traveled to the Tampa area. In Tampa, these distinguished and passionate student volunteers provided event support and guest services throughout the weekend leading up to Super Bowl LV.

the stadium hosting an event for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ friends and sponsors. Maintaining a safe environment for all guests remained a large component throughout the evening, as fan safety was top priority.

Throughout the weekend, COVID-19 protocols were made well-known and strictly enforced. At the conclusion of the Buccaneers’ event, the students stepped in to help clear the event space.

Florida State’s sport management program is no stranger to the Super Bowl when it comes to event support. Because of the continued diligence by FSU students in the past, the group was trusted with a greater responsibility.

Everyone began the weekend by assisting with guest engagement and managing interactive setups at the Super Bowl Experience at Julian B. Lane Park. On Saturday, the students greeted guests, assisted with check-in, and aided photographers at a private event where fans had the opportunity to have their photo taken with the Lombardi Trophy and Super Bowl MVP Trophy. This hands-on experience offered the group a chance to engage in event setup, as well as learn more about event planning.

Although this was not specifically a networking trip, many students were able to make connections with the staff, as well as among their peers throughout the weekend. While the first half of the game took place, the students enjoyed a physically distanced dinner together. As the game came to a close, the group assisted at two locations around the perimeter of the stadium to direct fans towards their transportation. The crowds outside the stadium grew smaller, and it signaled the end to an unforgettable weekend.

Sunday arrived highly anticipated by all. The student volunteers journeyed to Raymond James Stadium wearing neat, collared uniforms with credentials in hand, ready to contribute to one of the largest sporting events of the year. Half of the group spent the afternoon spread out around the stadium guiding fans to their correct gates and pregame events. The other half of the students were located outside the perimeter of

The opportunity to volunteer at Super Bowl LV was a unique experience for these students, particularly in an unprecedented year where many sporting events had the potential to be canceled. The student volunteers present in Tampa learned many instrumental skills critical to careers within the sport industry and beyond. In addition, they each shared incredible experiences with each other and fans from across the country. Now, it is time to look forward to the next event at which these students will represent Florida State University with pride.

9

PROGRAM NEWS A VIRTUAL, INCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP

By Inde Lauer

Since 1990, the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association’s (FDOA) mission has been to “enrich lives through accessible, inclusive recreation for all.” Outdoor recreation and activity are proven to enhance mental wellness as well as physical wellbeing. FDOA is run by a Board of Directors as well as their staff, which includes three interns. Volunteers also play an impactful role in the multitude of programs this organization has to offer. During my sophomore year, I was able to volunteer with Special Olympics via the Exceptional Students program at Raa Middle School in Tallahassee.

The two classes I helped with, Ms. Caine’s class and Ms. Biehler’s class, consisted of twenty or so bubbly, funny, outgoing, and special kids. Immediately I knew that this was more than just a volunteer opportunity.

The summer of 2020 following my sophomore year, I worked as an aide and respite care worker for Catalina, a 13-year-old girl with Rett Syndrome. She attended an outdoor summer camp that included activities such as swimming, tennis, soccer, and sailing. My goal was for

her to be actively included and engaged in activities, usually by modifying them to her level of ability. This is where I truly found my passion in serving others.

In the fall of 2020, one of my professors and mentors, Dr. Katie Flanagan, reached out to the FSU sport management student body to share a volunteer opportunity as an assistant PE coach for Raa Middle School through FDOA. Soon after, I was one of three volunteer coaches alongside head coach Deryk Hill, a fellow FSU student. Every Friday morning, I led the warmup for Ms. Biehler’s class via Zoom. Her class was able to meet in person following CDC guidelines of being socially distant and wearing masks.

10

PROGRAM NEWS When working with people with disabilities of all ranges, it is important to create a PE program that allows modifications. Deryk and I were able to engage the classroom by providing clear examples of each exercise. This included the challenge to find the right camera angles to show the correct body motions with the short lag between three computers in a Zoom meeting—something I am sure everyone has had a taste of this past year. Coach Deryk created a different routine each week allowing the students to experience different types of workouts and activities. When I reached out to Deryk about this article, he was excited to share his experience with FDOA:

into the real world shortly. Although coaching virtually had its obstacles, we found moments of laughter and lightheartedness by sharing pets or incorporating one of the many viral dance moves into the workouts. I am thankful to be a part of this incredible group of people who understand that life is a gift, and recreation is one of the many gifts that life itself provides. This year has been a challenge for everyone, but through these kids, I have learned a lot about what it means to keep a positive and hopeful mindset.

“I got involved with the FDOA because I wanted an experience that was not only unique to anything I have done before but was meaningful. What makes this organization so special is that you’re not just volunteering or working for a typical sport organization, you are making a genuine impact by influencing the lives of people who are viewed as less than by society. Being able to help eliminate the stigma is a reward in itself.”

Deryk helped me get accustomed to the dynamics of teaching virtually, which has allowed me to continue my experience with FDOA. After a rewarding and enjoyable semester volunteering, the opportunity to be a Miracle Coach and head coach for the virtual PE classes with Raa Middle School opened up. I had an interview with Laurie LoRe-Gussak, the FDOA executive director, and Kevin Taylor, the communications and marketing director, which went successfully. Coaching on both Wednesdays and Fridays has allowed me to foster a relationship with the students, as well as with Natalia Mendoza, another FSU student. Natalia helps with the PE programs on both days and is one of the three direct interns with FDOA. For Natalia, “working with FDOA has been one of the most rewarding experiences, as they are a true example of inclusion. I started this experience without knowing the impact it would have on me. My internship with the organization has allowed me to find my purpose as a professional and as a person.”

Personally, FDOA has given me the opportunity to continue and grow as someone who will be heading out 11

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT DR. MINJUNG KIM (PH.D. ‘15)

By Hyosoon Yim, doctoral student

To become a research I (R1) university professor is a dream for Ph.D. students in the United States. Dr. Minjung Kim, an assistant professor of sport and recreation administration at the University of Mississippi, is an emerging scholar in the area of sport organizational behavior. For this newsletter, Dr. Kim shared her experiences and insights for doctoral students in the FSU department of sport management.

1. Make hay while the sun shines Striking up the conversation, Dr. Kim explained how many valuable experiences and opportunities the FSU sport management program provides. First, she named a set of high-quality doctoral seminars.

“None of them were easy (especially for Dr. James’s sport marketing seminar and Dr. Giardina’s qualitative research seminar), but I could see how much I had improved from semester to semester,” she said. She also mentioned that having opportunities to teach sport management core courses was a blessing. She recalled that the teaching experience offered incredible practice that helped her a lot in her first faculty job. Dr. Kim suggests that doing your best and utilizing those opportunities is the first step to being successful.

2. Trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future Establishing a unique research focus during the Ph.D. years is one of the biggest burdens for doctorate students. Dr. Kim said that students do not need to worry too much, sharing her experience. The central concept of her dissertation was psychological capital (PsyCap). During her Ph.D. years, Dr. Kim solely focused on sport employees’ PsyCap for their productivity and psychological well-being. Digging

into this well-known area allowed her to develop a unique research concept—HERO. HERO is an acronym of redefined PsyCap resources – hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism. Using this concept, she examines the role of the expanded sport employee’s PsyCap in creative work behaviors in sport organizations. Dr. Kim’s unique research was not established from the novel topics but from the seemingly universal dots that she marked, studying traditional concepts.

3. Constant dripping wears the stone When asked about the way to improve writing skills, Dr. Kim underscored the importance of routine reading and discussion. Specifically, she suggested reading articles published in the top three sport management journals (i.e., JSM, SMR, and ESMQ) regularly, regardless of the topics. “It will make you not only learn from the most prominent researchers in our area but also come up with more original research ideas,” she said. The ideas she got from the readings are polished through her daily notes and bi-weekly research meetings. Dr. Kim tries to make a note whenever she thinks of some ideas, even for one word. In organizing her daily notes, she comes up with new research questions and shares them in research meetings to make them more transparent and compelling.

Wrapping up the interview, Dr. Kim added that it is vital to know how to balance learning, teaching, writing, and living our lives. Some people prefer getting more exercise to avoid burnout, and other people may want to take a short walk or quick nap. “The key is to find your own best way to handle the stress,” she says. Her final message was: “It is hard, but please enjoy the moment with your cohorts, work out regularly, enjoy the Seminoles’ games beating the Gators, and be proud of yourself!”

12

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT COACH NOBLES

By Paul Connor

Inscribed on the walls of Dodd Hall, on the campus of Florida State University, is the quote, “The half of knowledge is to know where to find knowledge.”

Perhaps the other half of knowledge is to learn from those who possess it. For the past 36 years, Florida State University’s sport management program has had the privilege to have one of its own, Dennis Nobles, share his knowledge and wisdom every day. As Coach Nobles retires from his position of associate professor and undergraduate academic advisor following the upcoming 2021 summer semester, we salute him and his contributions to the sport management department and to the FSU community as a whole.

No two words could better describe Coach Nobles than “teacher” and “advisor.” Whether in the classroom or on the track as the director of field events for FSU track & field, Coach Nobles spent his career guiding and teaching students through their pivotal college years. The best teachers are the ones who are not simply passionate about their subject matter, but are passionate about teaching their students, and no teacher was more passionate about teaching young adults than Coach Nobles.

Coach Nobles, a letterman with the track & field team, first began teaching at FSU in 1985 as an assistant professor as a double FSU alumnus, with an undergraduate degree of physical education in 1980 and a master’s of exercise physiology in 1983. Through courses such as “Human Movement and Principle and Problems of Coaching,” Coach Nobles shared with his students his love for coaching and his belief in the impact and power of sports on both individuals and the world. In these classes, countless future coaches learned what makes coaches successful during practices and games, but more importantly, these students learned who coaches should be as people. He spent as much time on how athletes should be coached as to what they should be coached on. Coach Nobles taught that success was not defined by wins and losses but by the highest level of effort being given on each day.

While Coach Nobles taught his students that a good coach should be a good person, he also showed it every day on the track. A combination of John Wooden and Mr. Miyagi, Coach Nobles was much more than just a track & field coach.

More importantly, his coaching was the medium through which he taught life lessons. Wearing his trademark brimmed hat, he coached with kindness, patience, and encouragement. No day was ever too bad, and no goal was ever unreachable.

Each athlete, whether they be an Olympian or a walk-on, was treated fairly.

13

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Championship effort was celebrated the same as championship medals, and the little victories were just as important as the National Championships.

Many of his athletes came to Tallahassee from the other side of the world. Often, they were alone for the first time, thousands of miles from their families and their homelands. Coach Nobles served as a father figure and a constant rock of support, care, and understanding. No matter how bad an athlete’s day prior to practice was, they always knew that their coach was waiting for them in quiet excitement on the track.

Coach Nobles describes his time at Florida State as his dream job at his dream school. He considers himself lucky, that he was in the right place at the right time to do exactly what he always wanted to do, and at the place he always wanted to be. For as lucky as Coach Nobles believes he was, he was not the luckiest one; Florida State was. For the past 36 years, FSU has had its dream coach, Dennis Nobles, improving the lives of its students. If you happen upon Coach Nobles around Tallahassee—whether it be at the track, at Tijuana Flats with his daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters, or more likely than not at a golf course—thank him. Thank him for all the lessons, the track-and-field skills, or life advice. Thank him for what he has done for this school, this sport management program, and for his students. Thank him for being our coach, and for so greatly guiding us into being the people we’ve become.

While Coach Nobles focused on the athlete as a person, he also found success on the track. If you were competing against any of Coach Nobles’ FSU athletes, you were likely fighting for second place. In his 31 seasons coaching for the Seminoles, he produced 130 All-Americans, 15 individual NCAA Champions, 131 Conference Champions, and seven Olympians.

During his tenure, FSU as a team won three NCAA National Championships. Coach Nobles was awarded the National Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2003, the South Region Women’s Indoor Assistant of the Year in 2011 and 2012, and was elected to the State of Florida Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2012.

At the time of his retirement from coaching in 2017, he was the longest-tenured assistant coach at FSU. While Coach Nobles humbly attributes these achievements to being surrounded by talented and hardworking people, his impact and contributions to his athletes’ successes on and off the track are immeasurable.

14

F L O R I D A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

M A N AG E M E N T education.fsu.edu/dsm