Florida A&M and Florida State athletic programs have much to celebrate from the 2022-2023 season.
From championship contentions, team improvements, and administrative additions, the Rattlers and the Seminoles can reflect on a productive year for their respective universities.
Now, it’s on to sustaining that momentum for the 2023-2024 season.
But first, let’s look at FAMU’s and FSU’s top three moments from this past season compiled by the Tallahassee Democrat’s Gerald Thomas, III and Ehsan Kassim.
Looking Back on FAMU and FSU’s Top Moments: Number 3
FAMU: Tiffani-Dawn Sykes is called upon to lead athletics ― Oct. 11, 2022
After a nearly six-month period of FAMU not having a vice president and director of athletics, Tiffani-Dawn Sykes was hired to fill the positions. Having years of compliance and athletic administration experience, Sykes departed from the Ivy League’s Dartmouth as the executive senior associate athletics director for varsity sports and senior woman administrator to join FAMU. She replaced Kortne Gosha, who stepped down from his position in April 2022. Sykes joined a legacy of women in the hierarchy of FAMU Athletics, following Sarah Hill-Yates, who was the women and associate athletic director in the late 1970s, early ’80s.
FSU: Fans rush the field of Doak Campbell Stadium after defeating rival Florida ― Nov. 25, 2022
What a way to cap its ninth win as fans rushed the field following a big victory over a rival. The Seminoles defeated rival Florida 45-38 in another epic game in the series in front of a sold-out crowd of 79,560. It was the first time in 26 years fans rushed the field at a FSU home game. While it might have seemed like overkill for beating a 6-6 team that barely achieved bowl eligibility, it was a major exclamation point for “the climb” that third-year head coach Mike Norvell has preached in rebuilding a program that had fallen far from its former glory.
Looking Back on FAMU and FSU’s Top Moments: Number 2
FAMU: Baseball etches themselves as one of the best squads in program history ― Feb. 17, 2023-June 3, 2023
The Rattlers won the baseball program’s first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship since joining the league in 2021, beating rivals Bethune-Cookman in Atlanta on May 28. It was FAMU baseball’s 23rd conference title in totality (SWAC, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). Winning the SWAC earned FAMU its third NCAA Tournament appearance ― all under head coach Jamey Shouppe‘s leadership (2015, 2019, 2023). This Rattler team holds program records for hits (610), RBI (414), doubles (114), and home runs (73). Outfielder Sebastian Greico broke the single-season homerun record with 17, surpassing Sean ‘Bo’ Gilliam and Keith Maxwell‘s former threshold of 15. The Rattlers narrowly fell by three runs apiece to the national No. 2 seed Florida and No. 10 ranked UConn in the Gainesville Regional. Catcher Ty Hanchey became the first-ever Rattler to be named to a regional all-tournament team for his performances against UF and UConn.
FSU: Matthew Cleveland drills game-winning three-pointer to complete a come-from-behind victory over rival Miami Hurricanes ― Feb. 25, 2023
Any other year, this moment sits at number one. The Seminoles’ men’s basketball team went through its worst season under legendary coach Leonard Hamilton. But this was a shining moment, as Matthew Cleveland and FSU roared back from a 25-point deficit to stun No. 13 Miami in Coral Gables. The shot from Cleveland came from near the Hurricanes’ logo with less than 2 seconds remaining, after Miami star Jordan Miller hit a go-ahead three-pointer with five seconds left to give the Hurricanes the lead. Cleveland scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half. Cleveland transferred to Miami following the season.
Looking Back on FAMU and FSU’s Top Moments: Number 1
FAMU: Football team unites with open letter to express discontent over suspended players, treatment ― Aug. 29, 2022
A day ahead of the Rattlers’ season opener at North Carolina, 26 players were ruled NCAA uncertified to play ― putting the game in jeopardy. The number included All-American linebacker Isaiah Land, who’s now with the Dallas Cowboys, alongside All-SWAC selections right tackle Cameron Covin and cornerback BJ Bohler. FAMU elected to still play despite being shorthanded and fought before being overpowered by the UNC Tar Heels. Once the Rattlers returned to Tallahassee, they decided to express their unrest with the mishandling of players to FAMU President Dr. Larry Robinson in a five-page open letter signed by 89 players. The Land-Covin-Bohler trio were reinstated for FAMU’s SWAC opener against Jackson State at the Orange Blossom Classic. The Rattlers began the season 0-2, but went on a nine-game winning streak to secure their fourth consecutive winning season under head coach Willie Simmons.
FSU: Kathryn Sandercock throws a perfect game to advance Seminoles softball to the Tallahassee Super Regional ― May 22, 2023
FSU softball head coach Lonni Alameda used a lesson from the 2022 Tallahassee Regional to make sure history wouldn’t repeat itself. She saved her ace Kathryn Sandercock for the elimination game. Sandercock delivered big time, throwing a perfect game in a 1-0 victory over South Carolina. The redshirt senior needed just 59 pitches (46 strikeouts) to strike out five hitters and induce 15 groundball outs. The victory propelled FSU to five straight wins and a spot in the Women’s College World Series at USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City. The Seminoles ended up running into a powerhouse in Oklahoma. Despite the loss, FSU finished as a proud runner-up and this major moment set up the special run.
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