Q&A Athletic Director
David Coburn SEMINOLE BOOSTERS: What factors did FSU consider in its decision to play this fall rather than the spring? DAVID COBURN: The Conference made the decision to play this fall, and we agreed with that decision. We felt we had the appropriate testing capacity and medical protocols to protect the student-athletes and the staff. We continue to believe they are safer – mentally and physically – here playing and practicing than they would be otherwise. We also believe the loss of the sports they love could be damaging to them in so many other ways. There is the distinct possibility we might lose some of them and never get them back. SB: What can fans expect on gameday? DC: We will probably have 20 to 25 percent of the seats in Doak available. There will be no Marching Chiefs band on the field, nor cheer teams. A subset of the band will be in the stands, as will a subset of the students who might normally attend. We did get permission to have Osceola and Renegade lead the team onto the field.
The staff have been extremely cooperative. Even though they are working remotely, they’ve worked very hard. The media staff have worked hard on our social media presence. The facility and grounds crews had to work in shifts and we’ve had to freeze positions Everyone has had to pick up the slack, and they’ve all responded. I’m very, very proud of all of them. SB: Covid has affected the lives of many Seminole Booster members and season ticket holders. What would you say to these families? DC: I really appreciate the way they’ve responded. I know many of them are having a very, very hard time. Certainly, they saw that we’re going through much of what they’re going through in their businesses and in their personal lives. It’s not an easy time for anyone and we certainly understand it. But we’ve been thrilled with the way they’ve responded and we very much appreciate their support because we need to have an athletic program when we come out the other end of this.
SB: What has life been like around the athletic department since March? DC: There was a long period back in March, April and early May when there wasn’t anybody here. The University gradually allowed more staff to come in to the office. Most of the staff continued to work remotely. It has taken some getting used to, but we are functioning fairly well.
SB: What highlights has the department enjoyed the past six months? DC: Academically, the spring and the first summer semester have been really good, especially considering the transition to virtual classes. It’s really been remarkable. One of the highlights was certainly the condition the football team came back in. The strength and conditioning staff are very pleased with how they came back. Obviously, Leonard Hamilton and his staff’s recruiting has been a highlight. He’s sitting on the number one class in the country right now.
SB: How did your staff, the Boosters, coaches, players respond? DC: I continue to be amazed at how well the coaches have responded. They have been organized, and have worked hard to continue to communicate with their student-athletes, who have been very receptive. They did a very good job academically both in the spring semester and in the first summer semester. I couldn’t be prouder of this group of coaches.
SB: How have your fall sports teams, not named football, fared? DC: There’s a lot of talent on the soccer and volleyball teams. They’ve begun workouts and the coaches are very optimistic about the potential of those teams. Both coaches have continued to recruit at very high levels. Volleyball’s got four of the top 100 recruits committed and Mark Krikorian just keeps finding soccer talent. Men’s and women’s cross country will be improved.
Obviously, entering and leaving the stadium will be very different. Tailgating will be different. The entire experience will change, hopefully for this one season only.
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FALL 2020
UNCONQUERED MAGAZINE
SEMINOLE-BOOSTERS.COM
