Link Jarrett returned Florida State baseball to national prominence and the College World Series in his second season.
Now the push is on to ensure the Seminoles have the financial resources to keep pace nationally.
“It’s going to take all of us,” said former FSU infielder (1993-94) Jack Niles, who is helping boost alumni engagement.
“If you go around the country and see how other programs are investing and spending money, we have to figure out a way to make sure we don’t fall further behind.”
The goal of the FSU Baseball Coaches Club, which gives alumni and fans the opportunity to direct their financial support baseball, is to raise $3.98 million for the program.
More than half of that amount is earmarked for Howser Stadium’s field/lights ($1.5 million) and name, image and likeness ($1 million) payments to players.
Additional priorities include enclosing the batting cages, adjusting the right field bullpen, updating the training room and dugout and meeting travel needs.
The Club raised around $25,000 during the Seminoles’ recent postseason run.
In a recent a social media post to FSU baseball alumni, Niles, a successful businessman in his Key West hometown, explained the funds are “given to Link to use at his discretion. The man has proven his entire life to make good decisions and will be the best steward of OUR very proud brotherhood.”
FSU baseball turns in historic turnaround under Link Jarrett
FSU had one of the best turnaround seasons in college baseball history, going from its worst season in school history (23-31) in 2023 to being one of the last four teams playing in 2024.
The Seminoles (49-17) swept through regionals and super regionals and advanced to the College World Series for the first time since 2019 under legendary Mike Martin.
After losing to eventual national champion Tennessee in their opener, they eliminated Virginia and North Carolina and reached the bracket final against the Vols.
Tennessee beat Texas A&M 6-5 in Game 3 of the CWS finals Monday in Omaha, Nebraska.
“For (Jarrett) to turn around the program as quickly as he did reflects the core values that he installs in his players,” FSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford said.
“For that core group (returnees) to get to Omaha from where they were (2023) is truly remarkable, and could not have been done without coach Jarrett’s leadership.”
NIL, transfer portal change college baseball at FSU, across the country
As with other sports, however, facility improvements, the transfer portal, and athletes’ ability to earn endorsem*nt money through name, image and likeness (NIL) have raised the bar for baseball.
While Howser Stadium recently underwent nearly $3 million in improvements and renovation, including a structural study of the facility, many fellow ACC members are also making significant upgrades.
Earlier this spring, for instance, N.C. State athletics announced a $20 million enhancement plan for the Wolfpack’s baseball field.
The SEC, of course, has dominated on the field.
The SEC has claimed five consecutive national championships and six of the past seven. The last ACC school to win the CWS was Virginia in 2015.
That success has benefited players, too.
According to Opendorse, a company that works with more than 40 collectives on NIL activities, the average estimated annual NIL spending per SEC baseball team was $820,000 to $920,000 since 2021. A number of SEC teams, however, are said to be spending into the millions.
The average NIL spending in the ACC is half that of the SEC, according to Opendorse.
After last year’s 23-win season, Jarrett flipped his roster.
He added 26 new players to build around a core that featured right fielder James Tibbs III, third baseman Cam Smith and pitcher Jamie Arnold. FSU, Kentucky and national runner-up Texas A&M each went into the CWS with five players in their lineups who started at other Division I schools.
Jarrett, on a 7-year contract through June 30, 2029, points to a five-point plan - player evaluation, recruiting, player development, program development, game management - he believes is essential for any team to be successful.
The approach - no pun intended - paid off this season.
And the FSU Coaches Club in emails also reminds members, alumni and fans their donations not only support the program but also invest in its future.
“When you start in this industry, you really don't know that those five things are equally critical, “Jarrett said at the CWS.
“If you are good at all five, you have a chance to be in this room. If you are good at four, it's up for grabs whether you'll make it. If you are good at two or three, probably not here (CWS). So I try to dive in. I've been a lot of places. I try to dive in. When you get somewhere, what do you have to attack and fix in each one of those areas to try to get it right?
“Those are the five.”
FSU Baseball Coaches Club fundraising priorities for coach Link Jarrett
Batting cages: $650,000
Bullpen: $100,000
Dugout: $100,000
Training room: $270,000
Field and lights: $1.5 million
NIL: $1 million
Charter & travel: $400,000
Total: $3.98 million
