Tampa Could Host FSU-Colorado In '08
Published: Oct 27, 2007
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TALLAHASSEE - The last time Florida State played a football game in Tampa, Bobby Bowden still had a full head of brown hair, the Bucs were on their way to the playoffs for the first time, and neither the Lightning nor Devil Rays existed.
If FSU president T.K. Wetherell gets his way, the Noles could play Colorado at Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 20 next season. The University of South Florida is scheduled to play at Florida International that day.
"We would clearly like to move the Colorado game to either Jacksonville or Tampa," Wetherell said Friday. "I have to believe that Colorado would much prefer to play anywhere than Doak Campbell Stadium."
FSU hasn't played a game in Tampa since defeating Arizona State 31-3 on Sept. 15, 1979. The school has been in talks with Colorado and both Jacksonville and Tampa officials about moving next year's game from Tallahassee.
Outgoing FSU athletic director Dave Hart, who has helped the Atlantic Coast Conference form a strong bond with Jacksonville and Tampa in recent years, has been working more closely with Jacksonville officials. FSU defeated Alabama 21-14 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium last month and has played several games in the city since last playing in Tampa.
Wetherell is campaigning for the game to be played in Tampa, which ranks among the nation's top five cities in the number of FSU alumni, according to the FSU Alumni Association. The Noles have six home games scheduled for next season and have two opens dates to fill.
"What we don't want to do is get back into eight home games in Tallahassee," Wetherell said. "That didn't work for our fans."
Proctor Selected As FSU's Interim AD
Florida State began the transition phase from outgoing athletic director Dave Hart to his successor, as president T.K. Wetherell named state Rep. Bill Proctor interim athletic director.
Wetherell expects to have a search committee consisting of high-ranking school officials and boosters in place in November to find a permanent replacement for Hart, who finalized details of a "separation agreement" with the school Thursday. Hart is under contract until Dec. 31 and will assist Proctor as needed during the transition.
Proctor is chancellor of Flagler College and has worked in higher education for 40 years, including 30 as Flagler's president. He is a former FSU football player who was an assistant coach when Wetherell played for the Noles in the mid-1960s.
"I've known Bill for 40 years," Wetherell said Friday. "He is a man of high integrity. His credentials are impeccable. As someone who is familiar with Florida State, the state budget, the state of Florida, Bill will have a leg up, as opposed to bringing in somebody from the outside."
Proctor, 74, is set to begin Nov. 5. Wetherell said his longtime friend is not a candidate to replace Hart. Wetherell said he hopes to have Hart's permanent replacement in place by the start of the next academic calendar year in August.
Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com.
