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'Set the bar': FAMU Interim AD Michael Smith provide updates surrounding Rattler Athletics
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- 'Set the bar': FAMU Interim AD Michael Smith provide updates surrounding Rattler Athletics
Plenty of news have surrounded Florida A&M Athletics over the course of the summer.
As f ootball season kicks off at North Carolina Saturday, the heralded HBCU is going through many transitions and making strides to improve the thriving athletic program.
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At the top of the list is hiring a permanent Director of Athletics and completing the final stages of Bragg Memorial Stadium's $12 million renovation plan.
Another point of focus was filling out the football coaching staff in preparation for the institution's second run in the SWAC .
The more FAMU continues to invest in its athletics, the more fans and alumni will continue to support.
Albeit, Interim Director of Athletics since April, Michael Smith has watched the progress of everything as he temporarily overtakes the job and offered updates to the Tallahassee Democrat.
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Michael Smith provides FAMU Athletics updates:
1. FAMU football has been on an upward trend since Coach Willie Simmons arrived in 2017. Tell me about what have you seen from your perspective.
Smith: "Since Coach Simmons arrived, our football program has been in a forward trajectory. We're excited about what he and his coaching staff are doing to get the young men ready to play this upcoming season. We're looking for exciting things and know that they're going to put a good product on the field for us to get behind to support 100 percent."
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2. It's a lot of expectation and optimism surrounding the 2022 season. Tell me what you expect to see.
Smith: "I expect to see a lot of excitement, hard playing, and guys flying to the ball. Discipline is important on all three phases of the game. (Simmons) is a person that has proven his worth when he's on the field with his players and coaches. We have to open up with the University of North Carolina, so we expect to do our very best and looking to win every game that we play. Everybody knows what that taste was like last year at Jackson State and where we want to be this year. We'll concentrate on North Carolina first and then see what the next steps are when we meet Jackson State in Miami."
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3. It's been a lot of coaching turnaround within the football program. You were a return specialist, so they got Chili Davis as the special teams coordinator. Tell me about the feedback that you've gotten from the new additions.
Smith: "These guys have really bought in to the system and are quality guys that Coach Simmons has brought on to the staff. They take their responsibilities real seriously and are working real hard to make an impact to follow the blueprint that (Simmons) has set up while taking their experiences and expertise to make sure the team is cohesive on and off the field. They're excited to be here and we're glad to have them."
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4. It's FAMU's second year in the SWAC. Tell me about the experience from last year and expectations this year.
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Smith: "As a fan, it was exciting to watch us play in the SWAC. During my time as a student-athlete, we played SWAC schools, so I had experience at playing them. I know what's that like. That's the conference of choice that we're in as part of our realignment. SWAC football is big time and not second to any. We're excited about this opportunity to come out of there and make it to the HBCU Celebration Bowl to crown another national championship in all the regards that we can be."
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5. FAMU has always been on the forefront of HBCU's. Where does the athletics stand when it comes to NIL's?
Smith: "We embrace the NIL opportunity for our student athletes to be able to monetize themselves. We also want to make sure that's done the right way. We don't want them to get down the road and have done something based on the rules, regulations, and laws for NIL's since they vary in different states. Our part and biggest role in that is educating them to make sure they are using themselves and the props that they have to potentially gain some additionally income the appropriate way. We're going to continue to concentrate in that area, because that's part of the infrastructure in making sure they understand. We don't want them to have a 'uh-oh' moment because we didn't educate them or give them the tools to know how to do that the right way."
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6. FAMU invests in athletics. You have a $12 million dollar project at Bragg Memorial Stadium along with the cooling chamber. Tell me about those investment and when the stadium will be ready as the season approaches.
Smith: "The cooling system was big thumbs up and we want to thank the Rattler booster and the 220 Quarterback Club for their involvement. They were very upfront in making sure that happens. Our student-athletes, sports medicine team, and coaches were really excited in having that opportunity to use that facility for all the right reasons. It's a good look. We were the first HBCU to have one of those . FAMU set the bar for our people in our area.
"The stadium's collaboration through the president, board, leadership, the blueprint, and all our local stakeholders that thought it was worthy to have all these resources put into Bragg Stadium for the right reasons. We just are really excited about it. The pressbox and the skybox will be all up and running for people to see what it looks like and get a feel for it. It's plenty of seats in the stands although we had to lose some of our seating on the west side for it. I think the fans are going to have a great appreciation for that direction that we're going particularly when you're upgrading your facilities and creating that winning environment to call home. There's more to be done, but we're excited about what has been done so far. We're looking forward to opening up the season on Sept. 10."
► Something to Bragg about : FAMU's stadium renovation project is making good progress
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7. You mention the fans. Have ticket sales seemed to influx knowing that it's an improved stadium?
Smith: "We have fans that loves our athletics and football program. We've worked real close with our box office and will take a look at what those numbers look like. We have single season tickets that are on sale now. We did have some new investment in champions and season ticket holders. We'll get those margins here really soon. It's another exciting time for football season coming off a magnificent year with Coach Simmons and making the playoffs for the first time in 20 years."
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8. FAMU is in the homestretch of the Director of Athletics search is in its homestretch. What's the update?
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Smith: "President (Larry) Robinson, the board of trustees, and search committee will lead where we're going in that space. Today, I am the Interim Director of Athletics and I'm happy to serve in that role for this university and don't take that lightly at all. I want to do the very best I can while I'm in this role on the behalf of this university."
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Game Information
Who: Florida A&M at North Carolina
When/Where: Saturday, August 27 at 8 p.m. inside of Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, N.C.
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Broadcast/Radio: ACC Network, Rattler Sports Network
Gerald Thomas III covers FAMU athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.
Follow the Tallahassee Democrat on social media at Tallahassee Democrat (Facebook), TallahasseeDemocrat (Instagram), and @TDOnline (Twitter)
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU: AD Michael Smith proud of progress and investments of Rattler Athletics
