🏹 June 28th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Victory and Valor: FSU’s Latest Triumphs

Author

The Chief
June 28, 2024

Welcome to The Chief Brief!

TGIF Seminole!

Here’s what we’ve got for you on the final weekend of June:

🏃‍♂️ Trey Cunningham Advances to 110m Hurdles Final at U.S. Olympic Trials 🏃‍♂️

FSU alum Trey Cunningham has advanced to the men's 110m hurdles final at the U.S. Olympic Trials, matching his season best of 13.12 in the first round and placing eighth in the semifinals.

🏌️‍♀️ Mirabel Ting Wins Fortuner Cup 🏌️‍♀️

FSU’s Mirabel Ting clinched the Fortuner Cup at SIBU Golf Club with a total score of 205, winning by 11 strokes. This victory precedes her participation in the Arnold Palmer Cup in Ireland. Ting begins her junior season at FSU in August.

⚾️ FSU Baseball Bolsters Pitching Staff with Transfer Additions ⚾️

Florida State baseball, led by Coach Link Jarrett, has prioritized pitching in the transfer portal, adding four pitchers: Evan Chrest, Peyton Prescott, Joey Volini, and Grant Cherry. Chrest, a former JU right-hander, chose FSU for its genuine coaching staff and development potential.

🏆 FSU Alum Lamarcus Joyner Reflects on Legendary Career 🏆

Former FSU defensive back Lamarcus Joyner, celebrated for his pivotal role in the 2013 national championship team, reflects on his career milestones. Joyner played nine years in the NFL, earning nearly $44 million, and is set to be inducted into the FSU Hall of Fame.

⭐️ Four-Star QB Brady Smigiel Commits to Florida State ⭐️

California's four-star quarterback Brady Smigiel committed to Florida State during an unofficial visit. Impressed by FSU's genuine recruiting approach and family atmosphere, Smigiel plans to help recruit other top players for FSU's 2026 class.

⚖️ FSU's Legal Battle with the ACC: Seeking Fair Compensation ⚖️

FSU is pushing for higher compensation for its significant media value in its ongoing legal battle with the ACC. Chairman Peter Collins emphasized the financial disparity compared to SEC and Big Ten revenues, advocating for fair compensation akin to athletes' NIL earnings.

💰 NCAA Revenue Boom and Top-Grossing Athletic Programs 💰

Athletic revenue is skyrocketing, with the NCAA generating $1.3 billion last season and TV broadcast rights surpassing $4 billion. Ohio State led the top 10 highest-grossing programs, with Florida State ranking 18th with $169.6M in revenue.

🏃‍♂️ Trey Cunningham Advances to 110m Hurdles Final at U.S. Olympic Trials 🏃‍♂️

FSU alum Trey Cunningham advanced to the men's 110m hurdles final at the U.S. Olympic Trials. He matched his season best of 13.12 in the first round and placed eighth in the semifinals with a time of 13.26. The final is set for Friday at 10:50 p.m. ET.

Other FSU Highlights:

  • Tyson Williams ended his season in the 110m hurdles semifinals.

  • Tyra Wilson finished her season in the women's 400m hurdles.

  • Alexandra Webster will compete in the women's 100m hurdles.

  • Jeremiah Davis will compete in the triple jump.

Catch all the action on NBC, Peacock, and USA.

🏌️‍♀️ Mirabel Ting Wins Fortuner Cup 🏌️‍♀️

FSU’s Mirabel Ting clinched the Fortuner Cup at SIBU Golf Club with scores of 72-68-65, totaling 205, and winning by 11 strokes. After trailing in the first round, she took the lead with a 68 in the second round and finished strong with a 65. Ting's victory comes before her appearance at the Arnold Palmer Cup in Ireland.

Career Highlights:

  • 2024 All-American Honorable Mention

  • All-ACC selection

  • 2024 Valspar Augusta Invitational Champion

  • Tied for 8th at the 2024 Augusta National Women's Amateur

Ting begins her junior season at FSU in August.

⚾️ FSU Baseball Bolsters Pitching Staff with Transfer Additions ⚾️

Florida State baseball, led by Coach Link Jarrett, prioritizes pitching in the transfer portal. The Seminoles added four pitchers: Evan Chrest, Peyton Prescott, Joey Volini, and Grant Cherry.

Evan Chrest:

  • Former JU right-hander

  • Stats: 4.46 ERA, 172 strikeouts over 159.1 innings

  • Chose FSU for its genuine coaching staff and development potential.

Other Transfers:

  • Peyton Prescott: Former JU right-hander

  • Joey Volini: Former USF left-hander

  • Grant Cherry: Former Long Beach State right-hander

Chrest is excited to pitch at Dick Howser Stadium, joining a team fresh off a College World Series semifinal appearance.

Underdog is back in Florida!

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🏆 FSU Alum Lamarcus Joyner Reflects on Legendary Career 🏆

Former FSU defensive back Lamarcus Joyner, celebrated for his pivotal role in the 2013 national championship team, reminisces about his standout performance against Clemson and his illustrious career milestones.

Joyner, a cornerstone of the Seminoles' success, played nine years in the NFL, earning nearly $44 million, and is set to be inducted into the FSU Hall of Fame.

Career Highlights:

  • 2013 National Championship: Joyner's key plays, including a sack and forced fumble against Clemson, were vital in FSU's dominant season.

  • NFL Success: Drafted in the second round in 2014, Joyner's professional career spanned nine years, with notable contracts and impactful performances.

  • Hall of Fame Induction: Joyner's upcoming induction into the FSU Hall of Fame cements his legacy as one of the program’s greats.

Legacy and Influence: Joyner's journey from a five-star recruit to an NFL veteran reflects his dedication and impact on the field. His leadership and skills were instrumental in transforming FSU's defense, leading to a national title and a remarkable winning streak.

Post-Football Life: Now residing in South Florida with his family, Joyner focuses on being a devoted father. He cherishes the time spent with his children and aims to instill the same values and dedication he displayed throughout his football career.

FSU Impact: Joyner's commitment to FSU and his contributions to the 2013 team continue to inspire future Seminoles. His story is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence both on and off the field.

Memorable Moments:

  • Clemson Game: Joyner's interception and forced fumbles were game-changing moments in the 51-14 victory.

  • National Championship: Integral to the team that claimed the title and left a lasting legacy in college football history.

Joyner’s career and personal reflections highlight the profound impact he has had on FSU and the broader football community, serving as a role model for aspiring athletes.

⭐️ Four-Star QB Brady Smigiel Commits to Florida State ⭐️

Brady Smigiel, a four-star quarterback from California, committed to Florida State during his unofficial visit. Smigiel, impressed by FSU's genuine recruiting approach and family atmosphere, had been close to committing since his first visit in April.

Key Points:

  • Decision Process: Smigiel's family played a significant role in his decision, accompanying him on the visit.

  • Coaching Connections: Strong relationships with Coach Mike Norvell and QB Coach Tony Tokarz were crucial.

  • Recruitment Style: Appreciated FSU's honesty and straightforward approach compared to other schools.

  • Offensive Fit: Excited about FSU’s offensive strategy and coaching methods.

Building the 2026 Class:

  • Recruiting Role: Smigiel plans to actively recruit other top players to join him at FSU, emphasizing the program’s strengths.

  • Visits: Willing to travel to Tallahassee frequently to aid in recruitment efforts.

Why FSU:

  • Family Atmosphere: The visit with his siblings helped confirm the family-like environment at FSU.

  • Coach Tokarz’s Influence: Tokarz has been recruiting Smigiel since his freshman year, showcasing a consistent and genuine interest.

  • Coach Norvell’s Leadership: Appreciated Norvell's straightforwardness and commitment to developing players.

Smigiel’s commitment marks a significant addition to FSU’s 2026 recruiting class, highlighting the program’s appeal to top-tier talent.

FSU's ongoing legal conflict with the ACC focuses on financial fairness and media rights. Chairman Peter Collins emphasized that FSU deserves higher compensation for its significant media value, compared to other conference schools.

Key Points:

  • FSU is pushing for a media deal that reflects its worth, highlighting the disparity with SEC and Big Ten revenues.

  • The current TV revenue gap per school is $30-40 million.

  • FSU's lawsuit, alongside Clemson’s, seeks a solution to this financial imbalance.

Collins underscored FSU's top-five national ranking in various metrics, arguing for fair compensation akin to athletes' NIL earnings. He also highlighted the importance of making a decision by August 15 if FSU plans to leave the conference by 2025.

💰 NCAA Revenue Boom and Top-Grossing Athletic Programs 💰

Athletic revenue is skyrocketing with the NCAA generating $1.3 billion last season and TV broadcast rights surpassing $4 billion. Reports reveal nine programs made over $200 million in 2023, up from five in 2022, with football leading the way.

Top 10 Programs (2023 Revenue):

  1. Ohio State - $279.5M

  2. Texas A&M - $279.1M

  3. Texas - $271.1M

  4. Michigan - $229.6M

  5. Georgia - $210.1M

  6. Nebraska - $204.8M

  7. Penn State - $202.2M

  8. Tennessee - $202.1M

  9. LSU - $200.5M

  10. Alabama - $199.9M

Florida State ranked 18th with $169.6M in revenue.

And that’s a wrap!

Thank you for tuning into this edition of The Chief Brief!

Stay updated with the latest from Florida State as we continue to celebrate our athletes' successes and navigate the exciting developments in FSU athletics.

Go 'Noles!

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