Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy midweek, Seminole!

Here’s what’s on the docket for you today:

🏌️‍♂️ Seminoles Shine at Stanford Regional 🏌️‍♂️ FSU Men's Golf excels with another 13-under performance, now just one stroke behind Illinois.

⚾ Noles Drop Contest to Stetson ⚾ FSU falls to Stetson 10-5, extending their losing streak at Melching Field.

⚽ Giana Riley Joins Seminoles ⚽ FSU women's soccer adds standout forward Giana Riley from Gonzaga to their 2024 roster.

🏈 FSU to Kick Off 2024 Season on ESPN 🏈 FSU's first two games of the 2024 season will be televised on ESPN, starting in Dublin against Georgia Tech.

🏟️ Dick Howser Stadium Ready for FSU vs. Georgia Tech Series 🏟️ FSU Athletics confirms Dick Howser Stadium is ready for the upcoming series against Georgia Tech.

🏢 ACC Spring Meetings: Uncertainty and Professionalism 🏢 Amidst legal disputes and financial concerns, ACC schools discuss the future of the conference.

🏀 FSU Basketball: Roster Overhaul and New Additions 🏀 FSU basketball undergoes significant roster changes, adding new talents for the 2024-25 season.

🏈 Recruitment Update: Solomon Thomas 🏈 Five-star offensive lineman Solomon Thomas explores options but remains committed to FSU.

🏈 FSU Eyes Four-Star Cornerback Tony Williams 🏈 FSU makes a strong push to flip UCF commit Tony Williams, aiming to bring him to Tallahassee.

🏌️‍♂️ Seminoles Shine at Stanford Regional 🏌️‍♂️

Florida State Men's Golf continues to impress, mirroring their outstanding first-round performance with another 13-under in the second round at the NCAA Stanford Regional. The Seminoles, now at 26-under, trail Illinois by just one stroke.

Clanton's Title Chase: Sophomore Luke Clanton is tied for the lead at 9-under, aiming for his second straight NCAA Regional title. Clanton's four birdies and 14 pars on Tuesday keep him at the top alongside Texas A&M's Phichaksn Maichon.

Record Watch: The team needs a 9-under on Wednesday to set a new program record for the lowest three-round score vs. par in NCAA postseason history.

Leaderboard Highlights:

• Frederik Kjettrup: T4 at 8-under, shot FSU's low round of the day with a 65.

• Cole Anderson: Sixth at 7-under, finished with a 67.

• Gray Albright: T25 at 1-under, shot a 69.

• Brett Roberts: T40 at 2-over.

With FSU securely in the top 5, they are on track to advance to their fourth consecutive NCAA Championship. The final round tees off with Roberts at 11 a.m. ET.

Stay tuned for updates and cheer on the Noles as they aim for history!

⏰ Upcoming Events:

• Tee Time: Clanton tees off at 11:44 a.m. ET / 8:44 a.m. PT.

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⚾ Noles Drop Contest to Stetson ⚾

Florida State (37-13) fell to Stetson (34-19) with a 10-5 loss on Tuesday evening at Melching Field, extending their losing streak at Stetson to four games.

Game Highlights:

• Early Struggles: Matt Sauser and Conner Whittaker each gave up two solo home runs in the second inning, allowing Stetson to jump to a 4-0 lead.

• Tibbs Shines: James Tibbs III hit two home runs, the 50th of his career and 23rd of the season.

• Tying the Game: FSU tied the game at 4-4 in the sixth inning with contributions from Tibbs, Jaime Ferrer, and Jordan Williams.

• Stetson's Big Sixth: Stetson responded with five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, securing their lead.

Notable Performances:

• Yoel Tejeda Jr.: Pitched a season-high 3.1 innings.

• Cam Smith: Had two hits, maintaining a .391 batting average.

Up Next: FSU hosts Georgia Tech at Dick Howser Stadium starting Thursday, with the first pitch at 6:00 p.m.

⚽ Giana Riley Joins Seminoles ⚽

Florida State women's soccer and head coach Brian Pensky have added a significant transfer in Giana Riley, a standout forward from Gonzaga, to their 2024 roster. Riley, hailing from Manteca, California, will bring two years of eligibility to FSU.

Riley's Highlights:

• 2023 Season: First Team All-West Region and All-WCC First Team.

• Stats: Led Gonzaga with 12 goals and 30 points, including a 54.5% shot on goal percentage.

• U.S. U-20 Youth National Team: Active participant, seeking a spot on the 2024 U.S. U-20 World Cup Team.

• High School: John C. Kimball High School, multi-sport athlete, and Scholar-Athlete.

🏈 FSU to Kick Off 2024 Season on ESPN 🏈

Florida State's first two games of the 2024 season will be televised on ESPN. The Seminoles will open their season in Dublin, Ireland, against Georgia Tech on Saturday, August 24 at noon Eastern Time (5 p.m. in Dublin). FSU's Labor Day home opener against Boston College is set for Monday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Historic First: The Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin marks FSU's first international game.

Series Records:

• Georgia Tech: FSU leads 15-11-1.

• Boston College: FSU leads 16-5, winning 12 of the last 13 matchups.

🏟️ Dick Howser Stadium Ready for FSU vs. Georgia Tech Series 🏟️

Florida State University's Department of Athletics has confirmed that Dick Howser Stadium is ready for this weekend's three-game baseball series against Georgia Tech.

The Seminoles (37-12 overall; 15-11 ACC) will host the Yellow Jackets (30-19 overall; 14-13 ACC) with the series opener on Thursday, May 16, at 6 p.m. ET.

Following last Friday's inclement weather, a full-scale assessment and repairs have ensured the facility is prepared for the upcoming games.

🏢 ACC Spring Meetings: Uncertainty and Professionalism 🏢

At the Ritz-Carlton during the ACC Spring Meetings, signs of both opulence and decline mirrored the state of the conference. Amid stained sofas and missing pink Himalayan salt, the tension among ACC schools was palpable.

FSU and Clemson are actively suing the ACC, creating a backdrop of litigation as discussions continue. Despite this, FSU Athletic Director Michael Alford notes the professionalism remains intact. Both schools are pushing for a fair revenue share, highlighting the growing financial gap between the ACC and other major conferences.

Commissioner Jim Phillips and NCAA President Charlie Baker addressed critical issues, including a potential $2.7 billion settlement for revenue sharing with athletes. Meanwhile, UNC AD Bubba Cunningham faced criticism from his Board of Trustees regarding the ACC's financial setup.

Alford emphasized the need for FSU to secure a better financial future, underscoring the challenges of the current collegiate athletic environment. The future of the ACC hangs in the balance as these discussions continue.

🏀 FSU Basketball: Roster Overhaul and New Additions 🏀

Florida State basketball is experiencing significant roster changes after a 17-16 season. Key players have either graduated, entered the transfer portal, or declared for the NBA Draft. The Seminoles have added several new talents from high schools, junior colleges, and transfers.

Departures:

• End of Eligibility: Jaylan Gainey, Josh Nickelberry, Darin Green Jr.

• Transfers Out: Primo Spears (UTSA), Jalen Warley (Virginia), Tom House (Furman), Cam'Ron Fletcher (Xavier), Jamir Watkins (NBA/transfer), De'Ante Green (USF), Cam Corhen (Pitt), Baba Miller (NBA/transfer), Sola Adebisi (The Citadel).

Incoming Players:

• High School/JUCO: Daquan Davis, AJ Swinton, Christian Nitu, Malique Ewin.

• Transfers In: Bostyn Holt (South Dakota), Jerry Deng (Hampton).

Current Roster:

• Returning: Chandler Jackson, Taylor Bol Bowen, Waka Mbatch.

Coach Hamilton’s Insights:

• The team has improved in depth, size, and perimeter shooting.

• Expecting an enhanced defensive performance next season.

• Potential addition of an unannounced 6-foot-10 international player.

🏈 Recruitment Update: Solomon Thomas 🏈

Florida State's pursuit of five-star offensive lineman Solomon Thomas is intensifying. Despite his five-month commitment to FSU, Thomas is exploring his options with scheduled visits to LSU and UF this summer.

Commitment Status: Thomas remains loyal to FSU, citing strong relationships with Coach Atkins and Coach Norvell. He appreciates their vision and structure, which keeps him inclined towards the Seminoles.

Upcoming Visits: Thomas is set to visit LSU and UF, with LSU posing a significant interest. He admires LSU’s Coach Brad Davis and sees the potential for a fresh start away from home distractions.

Recruitment Insights:

• FSU Loyalty: Thomas values the guidance of Coach Atkins and Coach Norvell, considering them father figures. He doesn't foresee changing his commitment but remains open to possibilities.

• LSU Appeal: Thomas is intrigued by LSU’s approach and Coach Davis’s preference for developing true freshmen over transfer portal players.

Future Plans: Thomas aims to finalize his decision after summer visits, focusing on where he can thrive daily and get the best preparation for his football career. He plans to shut down his recruitment by the end of summer, emphasizing his commitment to FSU while keeping an open mind.

🏈 FSU Eyes Four-Star Cornerback Tony Williams 🏈

Florida State is making a strong push to flip Palm Beach Central's four-star UCF commit, Tony Williams. Despite Williams' commitment to UCF, FSU remains a significant contender, hosting him during their Legacy Weekend event.

Recruitment Status:

• Committed to UCF: Williams has a strong connection with UCF coaches, especially Coach Addison Williams.

• Pursuing Schools: FSU, Indiana, and Clemson are actively trying to flip Williams.

FSU's Efforts:

• Key Recruiters: Head Coach Mike Norvell and Defensive Backs Coach Patrick Surtain Sr.

• Potential Visit: Williams may visit FSU at the end of June.

Player Profile:

• Stats (2023): 22 tackles, 16 pass breakups, 5 interceptions.

• Rankings: No. 11 ATH, No. 38 player in Florida.

And that’s a wrap!

Thanks for catching up with The Chief Brief! Stay tuned for more updates and insights on all things FSU.

Keep cheering for the Seminoles and enjoy the exciting events and competitions ahead. Go Noles! 🌟

For any feedback or suggestions, feel free to reach out to us. Until next time, keep that Seminole spirit alive!