sporting memories
Florida State University
Florida State University
Florida State University
While a student at Florida State University, I was able to compete in intramural sports. Played football, basketball, and hockey while a student at FSU between 1996-2001. Football was the favorite sport I played while at FSU.
Seminole football
Florida State University
Florida State University
Since I came to Florida State in 1996, I fell in love with the Seminoles. I started attending games in Fall 1996 and have been to well over 100+ games live including Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowls, and Gator Bowls. I've also had a chance to see them in Tallahassee, Gainesville, Miami, Chapel Hill, New Orleans, Jacksonville, and Blacksburg, VA.
Sports played
Florida State University
Sports played
Growing up, I loved playing sports. Football, basketball, soccer, hockey, and lacrosse. Playing sports growing up gave me the opportunity to compete at an early age and build the character I have later in life.
Thanks to playing sports, I acquired a hobby of collecting baseball hats. Have several hundred for multiple teams since I love collecting hats.
creating sports memories
Stanley Cup Finals attended
Had a chance to attend three Stanley Cup Finals in my lifetime. Went to Games 3 and 4 of the 1998 Stanley Cup Final when I lived in Washington, DC. One of the best experiences of my young life was taking my then girlfriend to Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in 1998. Washington lost that game, but the experience was incredible. A guy who loved hockey from a young age finally got to experience a bucket list item of attending the Stanley Cup Final. Went back years later to Game 1 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final in Raleigh and then 2007 Game 2 in Anaheim.
1998 - Games 3 and 4 (Detroit defeated Washington in both games)
2006 - Game 1 (Carolina defeated Edmonton, 5-4)
2007- Game 2 (Anaheim defeated Ottawa, 1-0)
Super Bowls attended
First Super Bowl I ever attended in my life was Super Bowl LIV in Miami, when Kansas City defeated San Francisco. As I quit a job, had two weeks off and unexpectedly headed to Miami that weekend. One of the best sporting experiences of my life. Then did it again when I moved to Phoenix and attended Super Bowl LVII in person. Kansas City defeated Philadelphia in that game. So I've been to two live in my lifetime, Kansas City won both.
LIV - Kansas City 31, San Francisco 20 (February 2, 2020 in Miami)
LVII - Kansas City 38, Philadelphia 35 (February 12, 20023 in Phoenix)
World Series attended
First World Series I went to in my lifetime was the 2022 World Series Game 2 in Houston, when the Astros took on Philadelphia. Went back a year later when Arizona faced Texas in 2023 and made Game 4. Houston defeated Philadelphia in 2022, Texas defeated Arizona in 2023.
2022 Game 2 - Houston 5, Philadelphia 2 (Saturday, October 29, 2022 in Houston)
2023 Game 4 - Texas 11, Arizona 7 (Wednesday, October 31, 2023 in Phoenix)
NBA Finals attended
Been to 1 NBA Finals in my lifetime, when I went to Games 1 and 2 of the 2021 NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks. Phoenix won both games but lost the series in six games.
2021 - Games 1 and 2 (Phoenix defeated Milwaukee in both games)
NCAA Men's Final Four attended
Went to the 2024 NCAA Men's Final Four in Phoenix. Purdue defeated North Carolina State in the first game attended, Connecticut defeated Alabama in the second game of the national semifinals. Did not make championship game.
2024 - NCAA Men's Final Four National Semifinal (Purdue 63, North Carolina State 50 and Connecticut 86, Alabama 72) - Saturday, April 6, 2024
Major College Bowls attended - Sugar, Orange, and Fiesta.
First major college bowl game I ever attended was the 2000 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans when Florida State defeated Virginia Tech 46-29 to win the national title in 1999. Went to the Orange Bowl a year later and unfortunately, Oklahoma defeated Florida State 13-2 and won the national title themselves while FSU was denied a second straight. Went back to three more Orange Bowls (2016, 2018, and 2019) and attended two Fiesta Bowls (2021 and 2022 season games).
2000 Sugar Bowl - Florida State 46, Virginia Tech 29 (January 4, 2000 in New Orleans)
2001 Orange Bowl - Oklahoma 13, Florida State 2 (January 3, 2001 in Miami)
2016 Orange Bowl - Florida State 33, Michigan 32 (December 30, 2016 in Miami)
2018 Orange Bowl - Alabama 45, Oklahoma 34 (December 29, 2018 in Miami)
2019 Orange Bowl - Florida 36, Virginia 28 (December 30, 2019 in Miami)
2022 Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma State 37, Notre Dame 35 (January 1, 2022 in Phoenix)
2023 Fiesta Bowl - TCU 51, Michigan 45 (December 31, 2022 in Phoenix)
TEAMS I LIKE
Florida Panthers - NHL
Fell in love with the Panthers the second this team was announced on December 10, 1992. Having lived in Boca Raton, Florida prior to moving to Houston; this was the first time that my old home had a hockey team in that region. Loved the Lightning, but Tampa was an affinity of love where as Miami/Fort Lauderdale/Boca Raton was homegrown roots. Beginning in the Fall of 1993, I have followed this team every year. First time I ever saw them live was on September 18, 1997 in Tallahassee, Florida in a preseason game against Washington.
Fun fact: In 2025, Florida became only the third team ever in the history of the NHL to win a Stanley Cup championship without having a single round of home ice advantage. Florida started every series on the road en route to their second straight Stanley Cup championship.
Championships - 2024 and 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning - NHL
The reason I like these teams despite them being rivals is that Tampa Bay was announced as a team on December 6, 1990 and that was the first time that the state of Florida had an NHL team. The second they became a franchise, loved them. Starting following them in the Fall of 1992 after my father died of a heart attack and followed them to help deal with the grief as well. Have been following this team ever since. First time I've ever seen them live was on April 18, 1998 against Florida in Tampa.
Fun fact: Tampa Bay became the first team in the history of the NHL to win a Stanley Cup Final with every game played at a neutral site. Due to Covid-19, the entire 2020 Stanley Cup Final was played in Edmonton, Alberta where Tampa Bay defeated Dallas in six games.
Championships - 2004, 2020, and 2021
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - NFL
First time I ever started following a professional team was Fall of 1987 when I got introduced to the game of football by my father. Despite the uniforms, I loved the team. I actually grew to like the creamsicles and wish they would come back a few times a year going forward. First game I ever saw live with the Bucs was on December 10, 1989 in Houston in the Astrodome. Hated seeing them lose but that was the first live game I ever saw the Bucs. Been to plenty of games since then. But followed this team every year since 1987.
Fun fact: Tampa Bay is the first team ever in the history of the NFL to play a Super Bowl (LV) in their home stadium and win the game. Tampa Bay defeated Kansas City 31-9 on February 7, 2021 to win their second Super Bowl title in franchise history.
Championships - Super Bowl XXXVII (2002 season) and Super Bowl LV (2020 season)
Orlando Magic - NBA
Despite the fact we lived in Boca Raton, for some reason I always loved the city of Orlando as a child. When the Orlando Magic became a franchise, fell in love with them. First game I ever attended with them in action was on December 20, 1990 when they fell to Houston 128-126 in OT. But have been to many games since and despite the fact they lost the NBA Finals in 1995 and 2009, still a lifelong Orlando Magic fan.
Championships - None
Miami Marlins - MLB
Growing up in Florida, we had spring training baseball but the Miami Marlins did not become a team until I moved to Houston. The second they became a team, Florida had their first MLB franchise and I was all about this. Known as the Florida Marlins until 2012, they were the "Fish" as nicknamed and a great team to watch over the years. First game I saw them live was April 17, 1993 in Houston when they beat the Astros in the Astrodome.
Championships - 1997 and 2003 World Series
Tampa Bay Rays - MLB
They came in the league 5 years after the Marlins, but due to the NL/AL alignment I picked them up as soon as they became a team in the 1998 season. Split my allegiance between the Rays and Marlins.
Championships - None
Florida State - NCAA
I support all Florida State sports, but football was the main passion when I was growing up and stepped on campus in August 1996. Make no mistake, though. Basketball, baseball, soccer, softball, volleyball, etc. were sports I've seen the Seminoles in over the years. Been to over 100+ FSU Football games live in my life, and plenty as a student at FSU (1996-2000 seasons). Seen the highs and the lows, but I am a Seminole as in Garnet and Gold until I am dead and cold.
First FSU Football game I've seen live was on September 7, 1996 against Duke in Tallahassee. From the second I walked in Doak Campbell Stadium, I was hooked. Had a chance to see the Seminoles in Gainesville, Miami, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Blacksburg, and Chapel Hill. Seen five bowl games live with FSU, only loss was 2001 Orange Bowl against Oklahoma. Oh, as a fun fact the Seminoles are undefeated in Jacksonville when I've seen them there (1999 - Duke, 2000 Pigskin Classic against BYU, 2002 Gator Bowl vs. Virginia Tech, 2005 Gator Bowl vs. West Virginia, and 2005 ACC Championship Game against Virginia Tech).
However, the one game that will always top the list was the 2000 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Bobby Bowden had his only unbeaten season of his illustrious career and a second national championship with the win over Virginia Tech. First-ever bowl game I attended in my life and it was worth every dime I spent to go to New Orleans for that game.
So many wonderful memories thanks to the Garnet and Gold!
Championships - Football /1999 and 2013 (BCS) - Softball / 2018 - Soccer / 2014, 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2025
