Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy Friday, Seminole!

Here’s the docket for you smack dab in the middle of May:

⚾ Seminoles Secure Game One Victory Against Georgia Tech ⚾

No. 10 Florida State (38-13, 16-11 ACC) triumphed over Georgia Tech (30-20, 14-14 ACC) with an 8-3 win, powered by three solo home runs.

⛳ FSU Women's Golf Team Begins NCAA Championship Quest ⛳

FSU Women's Golf, led by Coach Amy Bond, starts their NCAA Championship Finals at the Omni La Costa Resort, aiming for their eighth consecutive appearance.

🏃‍♂️ FSU Recruits Shine at State Track & Field Championship 🏃‍♂️

Future Seminoles Micahi Danzy and Solomon Thomas showcased their athletic prowess at the FHSAA Track & Field State Championship.

🏈 Recruiting Updates: Key Visits and Commitments 🏈

FSU’s recruiting efforts include linebacker Michael Hastie’s official visit, defensive back Jaboree Antoine’s commitment, and Manasse Itete’s upcoming arrival.

🏈 ACC Spring Meetings: FSU and Clemson Amidst Legal Tensions 🏈

The ACC Spring Meetings ended without overt tension, but legal and financial uncertainties continue to challenge the conference's stability.

⚾ Seminoles Secure Game One Victory Against Georgia Tech ⚾

No. 10 Florida State (38-13, 16-11 ACC) triumphed over Georgia Tech (30-20, 14-14 ACC) with an 8-3 win on Thursday night at Dick Howser Stadium, thanks to three solo home runs.

Key Highlights:

• Alex Lodise: Hit a solo home run in the third inning to open the scoring.

• Drew Faurot: Added his fifth home run in the fifth inning.

• Cam Smith: Contributed a solo shot in the sixth inning and led the team with a three-hit game.

• Pitching: Jamie Arnold improved to 9-3 with 6.1 innings, and Brennen Oxford closed out the game.

Notable Performances:

• Cam Smith: 3-for-4, .396 average, 13th home run, leads FSU with 65 runs.

• Jamie Arnold: 6.1 IP, 11 hits, 3 runs, 124 strikeouts (second in ACC).

• James Tibbs: Walked three times, extending his on-base streak to nine games.

Up Next:

• FSU and Georgia Tech conclude the regular season with a doubleheader on Friday, starting at 2:00 p.m. Senior day recognitions begin at 1:30 p.m.

⛳ FSU Women's Golf Team Begins NCAA Championship Quest ⛳

Head Coach Amy Bond and the Florida State Women's Golf team are set to compete in the NCAA Championship Finals at the Omni La Costa Resort, marking their eighth consecutive appearance. The NCAA Championship Finals began on May 17 and will continue through May 22.

Team Highlights:

• Consistent Performers: FSU is one of only four teams to qualify for the NCAA Championship Finals each year since 2016.

• Strong Lineup: Featuring seniors Charlotte Heath and Alice Hodge, junior Kaylah Williams, and sophomores Katherine Cook, Mirabel Ting, and Lottie Woad.

Player Spotlight:

• Lottie Woad: 2024 ACC Player of the Year, finalist for the ANNIKA and WGCA Player of the Year awards, and holds the lowest single-year scoring average in school history.

Championship Format:

• Starts with three days of stroke play, cutting the field to 15 teams.

• The top eight teams after stroke play advance to match play to determine the national champion.

Coach Bond's Perspective:

• Bond emphasizes the team's consistent success and the hard work required to reach the championship finals each year.

• She expresses gratitude for the opportunity to compete and highlights the support from FSU's administration and the dedication of her players.

FSU's History and Preparation:

• FSU has made 15 appearances in the NCAA Women's Golf Championship Finals, with the current streak of eight consecutive years being a school record.

• The Seminoles advanced to the NCAA Championship Finals after finishing fifth in the team standings at the NCAA Las Vegas Regional Championship.

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🏃‍♂️ FSU Recruits Shine at State Track & Field Championship 🏃‍♂️

Florida State's football program loves multi-sport athletes, and two of our recent recruits proved why at Thursday's FHSAA Track & Field State Championship meet.

Micahi Danzy:

• 100-Meter Dash: Ran 10.68 seconds, securing a silver medal.

• 200-Meter Dash: Won the state championship with a personal best of 20.88 seconds.

• 400-Meter Dash: Another state title with a personal best of 45.88 seconds.

• Long Jump: Finished third with a 6.91m jump.

Solomon Thomas:

• Discus: Threw 49.55m, earning second place, building on his state title from last year.

Danzy and Thomas's exceptional performances highlight their athletic versatility and promise as future Seminoles.

🏈 Recruiting Updates: Key Visits and Commitments 🏈

Michael Hastie’s Official Visit to FSU

Top Prospect: Douglas County's three-star linebacker Michael Hastie has scheduled an official visit to FSU from June 21-23, the only one planned so far.

Recruitment: Hastie, high on FSU’s board, has been impressed by Linebackers Coach Randy Shannon. He aims to commit before his senior season, with FSU being a significant contender. Hastie has visited FSU twice already, once for a game against Syracuse and another for a Junior Day event in February 2024. Hastie's other offers include Texas A&M, UCF, North Carolina, and West Virginia.

Jaboree Antoine’s Commitment

LSU Commit: Four-star defensive back Jaboree Antoine, committed to LSU, has scheduled an official visit to FSU from June 21-23. FSU’s coaching staff, including Patrick Surtain Sr. and David Johnson, are actively recruiting him.

Recruitment Insight: Although committed to LSU, Antoine has kept communication with FSU strong. He also has a visit to Miami scheduled from May 31 to June 2. Antoine, ranked No. 127 overall, has impressed on the 7-on-7 circuit, making him a valuable target for the Seminoles.

Manasse Itete’s Journey to FSU

Four-Star OL: California’s Manasse Itete, who flipped from USC to FSU, will join the Seminoles on May 27, shortly after graduation.

Reasons for Commitment: Itete values FSU’s honesty and vision. He aims to improve daily, guided by Offensive Coordinator Alex Atkins. At 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, Itete is a top-400 player nationally and a top-30 recruit at his position. He has clear goals for his time at FSU, including learning from older teammates and coaches.

🏈 ACC Spring Meetings: FSU and Clemson Amidst Legal Tensions 🏈

The ACC Spring Meetings in Amelia Island concluded without overt tension despite the ongoing lawsuits between FSU, Clemson, and the ACC. This contrasts with last spring's tension when FSU first signaled its revenue-sharing concerns. Both sides maintained a professional decorum, avoiding in-depth comments on legal matters.

Key Points:

• Legal Context: FSU and Clemson are in active lawsuits against the ACC, challenging the conference's financial structure.

• Leadership Views: ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips remains optimistic, while FSU's Michael Alford emphasizes the need to do what's best for FSU.

• Revenue Sharing: No changes to the current incentive-based revenue distribution were discussed, leaving FSU unconvinced about staying.

• ESPN Contract: Phillips confirmed the ACC's TV contract with ESPN runs through 2036 but mentioned ongoing discussions about specific aspects of the deal.

• Future Outlook: Despite Phillips' optimism, the revenue gap between the ACC and rival conferences, combined with legal uncertainties, casts doubt on the ACC's stability and FSU's future within it.

The subdued atmosphere at the meetings belies the significant underlying challenges, suggesting a complex and uncertain future for the ACC.

And that’s a wrap!

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