Florida State Univ. AD Randy Spetman on Thursday “will present a five-year strategic plan designed to address growing concerns about the program's financial and on-field future during a meeting with the school’s board of trustees,” according to David Hale of ESPN.com. The strategic plan “outlines a dozen objectives Spetman hopes to achieve during the next five years that includes renovations to facilities, increased media rights opportunities and a focus on increasing attendance across all sports.” Spetman in the document lays out an "extensive set of goals, which include a focus on improvements to facilities, increased merchandising opportunities, an investment in recruiting and retaining the top coaches and athletes in the country and numerous options for reducing expenses and generating new forms of revenue to maintain ‘financial integrity while providing resources required for a top 10 athletic program.’” Among the “most significant aspects of the proposal are proposed improvements to the fan experience at both the Tucker Center and Doak Campbell Stadium.” Plans for new seating and “access to air conditioned plazas and other amenities are already in the works at Doak Campbell Stadium, and similar plans are being explored for other areas of the stadium.” Bathrooms and concessions also would “receive an upgrade.” The proposal “sets out a series of options for generating new revenue streams by increasing Florida State's marketing, licensing and merchandising opportunities.” Among the “most notable considerations are a plan to solicit input from Nike and other retailers for recommendations on increasing merchandising sales, which could include changes to uniforms, sideline gear and logos aimed at making them more ‘retail friendly’” (ESPN.com, 5/31).
BARRON OF THE BALL: In Tallahassee, Blackburn & Schoffel note during Eric Barron’s “first three years and four months as president of his alma mater -- and increasingly in the past year -- the stocky scientist with graying hair has begun charting a new course for Seminole athletics.” Although his impact is “felt more on a macro level than predecessor” T.K. Wetherell, Barron is “no less involved in the big decisions.” From “spearheading efforts to take over the Civic Center, which was seen as a major victory by FSU’s men’s and women’s basketball coaches, to helping pave the way for the Atlantic Coast Conference’s grant of media rights, which has provided stability across the college athletics landscape, Barron is far from the detached academic that some fans perceive” (TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, 6/3).
