The Boys Newsletter

I've been sitting on this for the better part of a week, but it's now being openly discussed, so... out with it.

FSU will finalize a contract extension with head coach Bobby Bowden this week at $2.5 million per year, plus incentives, "for for as long as he continues to be the Seminoles football coach".

In addition to the salary and annual incentives, the new deal will pay Bowden a guaranteed $1 million lifetime achievement bonus if & when he retires from FSU.

The interesting twist is that the new agreement will name Florida State OC Jimbo Fisher as Bowden's eventual successor, should Fisher agree to accept the position.

With Bowden in his final year(s), the Seminoles are looking to secure the future.

Fisher as hand-picked Bowden's heir apparent has long been rumored within certain circles at FSU. University president T.K. Wetherell alluded to the widely rumored handshake deal a few weeks ago in comments.

Everyone within the program believes in Fisher, and so he's their man, but there has been considerable debate to the merits of publicly naming Fisher as coach-in-waiting.

On one hand, FSU can send a visible message to recruits that the coaching staff at FSU will largely remain in place for years to come. It gives the fanbase some signal as to the plan, especially when many are beginning to question the team's future. It gives Fisher some visible signal that he doesn't need to entertain offers from other schools. On the flip side, what if Fisher falls out of favor with the university or a different candidate is available?

So... any move to name a coach in waiting is certainly a double-edged sword for the Seminoles. That said, it is a risk that FSU is -- apparently -- ready to take.

In trying to look at this objectively, I think this is probably the best for all parties. The pressure is growing on Bowden to make his intentions clear and this is likely to be enough to keep the wolves at bay for the time being. Bowden badly wants to go out on top and this move buys him a little time to do so. I know the coaching staff wants to get the team to a conference championship level and give the coach the season he deserves.

I think it also signals Bowden's true feelings to the fanbase. He is not "hanging around for the record" and that he truly cares about the future and his legacy at FSU. Meanwhile, Fisher has endeared himself to the FSU community as if he has been there for years already. The university wants to keep him long-term, and this will give him (and the team/recruits/fans) some much deserved security.

So, in the end, maybe this is the right move for Bowden, Fisher, and the Noles.

http://www.fanblogs.com/florida_state/007370.php

A sad day for Seminoles:

http://tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710100358

When we talk about FSU football, passion has not been a positive part of the discussion in some time. The passion is back. Labor Day will mark the official beginning of the next era in Seminole football. While I am not ready to call it the “Return to Glory Era,” I am ready to close the book on the “Era of Decline.” Always a Bowden optimist and a hopeless FSU romantic, I have been excited about this season since December. The new members of the staff seem to have been called home to rally around the old man. If the team is just a little more disciplined, the results should improve. Whether the schedule allows for a giant step forward remains to be seen. Here’s what to look for on both sides of the ball.

OFFENSE
With this group there is nowhere to go but up. With Jeffy gone and every position coach other than tight ends (seriously boys, this is the year for for the tight end) with him, there will be a new look and better results. Jimbo Fisher has the reins and high expectations.

QUARTERBACK
Weatherford edges out Lee once again because he remains the only one of the two of them that can line the team up in the correct formation and make the everydown plays consistently. If the team can rally around him again, the offense, should be fun to watch. Look for Lee to contribute significantly before the year is over.

RUNNING BACKS
With a new perspective from Dexter Carter (if only it were 1989 again), and if Antone Smith stays healthy, we will run the ball. How successfully depends on the next group. Look for Marcus Simms to get some of the short yardage work.

OFFENSIVE LINE
The hype machine has been turned off. This group stinks. It has consistently stunk for more than five years despite what Sports Information tells you. Rick Trickett will turn this around. We will be better or he will run about ten guys back to their mamas. The depth chart tells you everything you need to know about the group he inherited. When we kick off against Clemson, see how many positions are filled with the same player as last year. It looks like it could be zero. John Frady is so soft, he’s moved to tight end to avoid Trickett. Ryan McMahon replaces him at center. He is a redshirt freshman moving from D Line. Look for him to be the heart and sole of this bunch. This line will be lean and mean. I just hope it comes together this year.

RECEIVERS
As I recall, Lawrence Dawsey was a hard nosed football player who could catch the ball. Maybe he can figure out how to get that out of this underachieving group. Greg Carr’s slide down the depth chart gives me hope. We all know De’Cody Fagg will be a main target, but look for young Preston Parker to shine. His speed and toughness have impressed. Carr will eventually pull his head out and contribute. Tight ends will block a lot.

DEFENSE
Mickey Andrews will have to overcome the loss of his son and focus himself and this defense on being better. Discipline is an issue. Talent is not.

DEFENSIVE LINE
It all starts up front. This is a deep group. You’ll here Andre Fluellen’s name the most, but expect big things from Neefy Moffett, Alex Boston, and Everette Brown. The rotation will include at least eight guys, probably more. As long as the group stays healthy and out of trouble they will be strong.

LINEBACKERS
Chuck Amato returns. Geno Hayes will be joined Dekoda Watson, Derek Nicholson, Marcus Ball and Rodney Gallon. They have a rich tradition to uphold. There is no reason to think they will not.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Tony Carter and Myron Rolle lead this veteran group. If they improve on last year by reducing the big plays given up and increasing the number made, the defense could be lights out. As always, a lot of guys will play. T-Buck is on board as a student assistant while he finishes off his degree.

SPECIAL TEAMS
I’m not sure we’ll ever make another field goal, but our return teams should be good. Speedsters Michael Ray Garvin and Parker should see a lot of the load. We will block some kicks because the Back to the Future theme continues with Dawsey pitching in to help out newly named Special Teams Coordinator Jody Allen in that area. Actually kicking the football and tackling people better improve. Kick offs are moved back five yards.



As we sit ready to kick off another campaign and a new era, the Florida State community should be cautiously optimistic. The schedule is tough, but with a couple of breaks, the Noles could return to Jacksonville December 1 for the ACC Championship Game. I leave you with this:

As Dale Wright counts us down to each kickoff, remember that smoke, mirrors, and rock and roll music do not win football games. Blocking and tackling do. Go Seminoles.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=ap-floridast-buckley&prov=ap&type=lgns

I always like seeing FSU noted for something other than football.

http://www.photonicsonline.com/content/news/article.asp?docid=ebd4ae30-35af-46c8-a126-ac5057a7cf3e

Jerry Rice is considered by many to be the greatest wide receiver in NFL history.

The former San Francisco star made 13 Pro Bowl appearances, helped the 49ers win three Super Bowls, and he owns several NFL records.

But when the future Hall-of-Famer made a visit last weekend to Tallahassee, he was left nearly speechless upon seeing the facilities at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Rice, who was invited by former 49ers teammate Dexter Carter to participate in FSU’s first ever Seminole Showtime camp for high school football players, said the Seminoles’ stadium was far different from his college days at tiny Mississippi Valley State.

“Just being in that locker room is amazing,” Rice said. “I got chill bumps just walking through that locker room.”

Rice said he also was tickled to run passing routes on the Doak Campbell Stadium grass.

But what impressed him most was Florida State’s tradition of sending great football players to the NFL. As he walked through the Moore Athletic Center before participating in the camp, Rice couldn’t help but admire the photos and portraits of Seminole greats such as Charlie Ward, Warrick Dunn, Derrick Brooks and others.

"All the legends, man," Rice said. "The guys who won the Heisman. And Florida State has put so many players into the NFL. Mississippi Valley State was nothing like this, OK? So I'm walking through there like, 'Hey, I could hang out here all day long.' It's really nice."

Rice, who transcended football recently with his appearance on the television hit, "Dancing with the Stars,” took time during his visit to give a motivational speech to the campers and to serve as an instructor at the camp.

Rice said he was thrilled to share his knowledge with the younger players. When Carter asked him if he would consider participating, Rice said he was on board immediately.
"I have always admired this college," Rice said. "Just to be here in this stadium is amazing. To work out here with the guys and try to pass on some knowledge to them ... I have had a fantastic time."

Rice was joined at the camp by a long line of former Florida State stars, including Peter Boulware, Terrell Buckley, Antonio Cromartie, Zack Crockett, Greg Jones, William Floyd, Kez McCorvey, Bill Ragans, Jamal Reynolds, Corey Simon, Ernie Sims, Tamarick Vanover, Casey Weldon and others.

"This was a lot of fun," Floyd said. "It was good for me because I got to see a lot of old friends, guys I went to war with. And the topping on the cake was to see Jerry Rice here."

Though the star factor was nice, Floyd said the best part of Rice's appearance was that he could share some of his secrets to success with the youngsters.

"He's a great player, and you always want to learn from the best," said Floyd, who also played with Rice in San Francisco. "All of us grew up watching him play. It was a blessing for me to get the opportunity to play with him. Any time you can get somebody of that stature -- I don't care what university they went to -- when they're that type of great football player, it's always good to have them apart of it."
Rice said this was his first trip to FSU but added that, "Hopefully, it's not my last. I want to come back during the season."

After last season, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden finally has a valid reason not to put much stock in the annual media poll that predicts which teams will be favored to win the Atlantic Coast Conference football championship.

"Wake Forest was picked last last year and they ended up winning it, so it really doesn't mean anything," Bowden said.

Even so, Bowden didn't exactly voice a protest Monday when he learned that his Seminoles were tabbed for the third consecutive year as preseason favorites to win the ACC's Atlantic Division.

"I was surprised. I really was," Bowden said. "I was figuring after the year we had last year that they would count us out, you know. That wouldn't have bothered me. It doesn't mean anything."

Mirroring the preseason scenario from 2005, Virginia Tech was selected as the favorite to win the Coastal title and beat FSU in the league championship game. The writers and broadcasters covering the league were only half right that year. FSU won the inaugural championship game.

Bowden would just like to get back there.

FSU and Miami were favored to square off in the league's 2006 title game, but instead both teams suffered through 7-6 seasons.

That disappointment led to a head coaching change in Miami when Randy Shannon was promoted to replace Larry Coker. The fact that Shannon is a first-year head coach might have played a role in the Hurricanes being selected to finish just third in the Coastal Division behind Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.

Miami received just two first-place votes.

"What do I think? It's a poll," Shannon said.

Virginia Tech dominated the Coastal Division predictions, earning 77 of the 83 first-place votes while Georgia Tech earned four.

But in the Atlantic Division assessment, four schools earned No. 1 nods. FSU got 37 of the votes to outpace Boston College, which received 25. Clemson finished third in points despite having five fewer first-place votes than Wake Forest's 13.

Florida State athletic director David Hart Jr. won't have his contract renewed when it expires in 18 months.

The Seminoles' AD since 1995, Hart was informed of the decision in a two-paragraph letter from school president T.K. Wetherell. The two met Wednesday for the first time on the issue.

"T.K. has made the decision, notified the athletic director and at some point the two will come to a decision about the transition and departure date," school vice president Lee Hinkle said Wednesday.

Wetherell pushed Hart the past few years to improve working relationships with other university offices, improve procedures for investigating allegations of wrongdoing by athletes and the internal communications within the athletic department.

In his only comment on Wetherell's decision, Hart said in a statement from the sports information office that he intends to fulfill his contract, which expires in January 2009.

The 58-year-old Hart was paid $557,821 last year, state payroll records show.

During Hart's tenure, the Seminoles won one national title in football (1999) and two in track and field (2006-07). The baseball and basketball programs have struggled at times in recent years.

Bobby Bowden, whose 366 wins are the most among major college football coaches, would not comment on the pending change. Gov. Charlie Crist, a Florida State graduate and fan of the school's athletic program, also dodged the issue.

"I've got plenty of decisions to make and that's not one I have to make," Crist said. "I'll leave that one to the university."

Hart had mixed success with his coaching choices. Chris Gobrecht left after just one year as the women's basketball coach and her contractual situation wound up in litigation. Steve Robinson was fired after five seasons as the men's coach. The men's basketball program has been invited to NCAA postseason play only once during Hart's reign.

Although not specifically mentioned in the article, you have to believe that this recruit wouldn't have given us the time of day if Jeffy was still out OC. Way to go Jimbo!!

------

Darnell Moore believes Florida State will be getting more than a smart and talented quarterback in E.J. Manuel.

“He's going to be the face of the program,” said Moore, Manuel's coach at Virginia Beach (Va.) Bayside High. “He's going to be the kid you will want out front representing you on and off the field.”

Manuel committed to FSU on Wednesday after taking a hard look at schools that included LSU, UNC, Miami and Penn State. More than 40 schools offered but FSU will welcome him in the fall of 2008.

The pro-style quarterback passed for 1,973 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. He also rushed for 345 yards. Moore calls Manuel a technically sound quarterback who works well out of the pocket but also has good mobility. The 6-foot-5 Manuel is touted for a strong and accurate arm.

“You get a kid who is already polished - his drops and throwing technique are flawless,” Moore said. “I asked each coach who was recruiting him what did they think he needed to work on. The majority of them felt that as far as technique and mechanics there wasn't anything he needed to work on.

“In high school, you find a lot of coaches will take the best athlete and try to make him a quarterback. But I wanted him to be a pro-style quarterback where he didn't have to make that switch from being a runner to a passer.

“He's a student of the game, and he wants to get better. I try to give him as much as possible because I don't want somebody throwing something at him he doesn't understand.”

Moore said that Manuel possesses the intangibles that a program looks for in a quarterback. The coach also said Manuel, whose first name is Erik but has gone by E.J. since he was a baby, communicates well with his teammates and adults.

“He's more mature than most kids his age,” Moore said. “His personality is the same on and off the field. He's a competitor and a competitor in the classroom as well.”

Manuel committed to FSU because he believed it was good fit as a student, athlete and person. He said the deal was sealed for FSU came when coaches prayed for his well being before he returned to Virginia. It was something that Moore had talked to Manuel about before the recruiting process began.

“I'm very comfortable with the whole situation,” Moore said. “I told him that they would know the school where he was supposed to go to when that particular coach prays for him. And there was only one coach who did that."

Nope....Florida State is ranked as the third most difficult schedule, with eight bowl teams on the slate, zero I-AA games, four games against last years top 25, and just five games at home. (Five games at home?!?!)

In an era when most big-time programs try to schedule at least seven home games, Florida State will play just five times at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Seminoles' demanding road schedule includes trips to Clemson, Boston College, Virginia Tech and Florida. Although the Seminoles face Alabama close to home in Jacksonville, we're expecting at least half the spectators to root for the Crimson Tide. Florida State also was the rare BCS team that didn't schedule a Division I-AA opponent. Critics might point to the relatively weak combined 2006 record of Florida State's opponents, but we're assuming Miami and Alabama will bounce back from disappointing seasons.

Read the rest here

Walter Dix put on quite a show in what might have been his farewell to college track.

The Florida State junior completed a triumphant week at the NCAA track and field championships by repeating as 200-meter champion and leading the Seminoles to their second consecutive title.

The Arizona State women rebounded from a disappointing start to the meet to win their first outdoor championship.

Dix won three events -- the 100, 200 and 400-meter relay -- the first man to accomplish that since John Carlos for San Jose State in 1969.

The 100-200 double meant the most to the Seminole junior.

"It's something I've been working toward since my freshman year," Dix said. "Now that goal's out of the way I still have the 100-meter record to get."

Dix was noncommittal about whether he'd return for his senior year of eligibility or turn pro.

"We'll see," he said.

FSU coach Bob Braman sounded as if he expected Dix to leave.

"Could you blame him?" Braman said. "He's done everything he needs to do. It's up to him, completely up to him. I've got to find some records for him to chase. It's the only reason he'd come back."

Dix eased to victory in the 200 in 20.32 seconds, well off the collegiate record and world-leading 19.69 he ran two weeks ago at the East Regional. With his 9.93 in the 100 on Friday, Dix holds the world's best times in both events.

"This is huge," Braman said of winning two titles in a row. "It's so hard to do. Kids are going pro, kids are graduating, kids get hurt. We had a lot of injuries this year, and we were lucky enough to survive."

Lopez Lomong of Northern Arizona, one of the "Lost Boys of Sudan" who spent 10 years in a Kenyan refugee camp before coming to the United States in 2001, won the 1,500 meters in 3 minutes, 37.07 seconds. He passed Leonel Manzano of Texas down the stretch, then raised his fist in triumph after crossing the tape and bowed to the crowd from the victory stand. Manzano was second in 3:37.48.

LSU finished second in the men's and women's team races.

Florida State won with only six men entered, all but one in the sprints. The Seminoles had 54 points to LSU's 38. Auburn was third with 34 and Tennessee fourth with 301/2.

"We're establishing something at Florida State," Dix said. "I think two championships back-to-back says enough."

Arizona State, reigning NCAA indoor champions, wrapped up the women's title with a 1-3 finish in the shot put.

"There have only been three schools to win indoors and out," Sun Devils coach Greg Kraft said. "LSU and Texas are storied programs. For us to be mentioned in the same breath as them is huge. It really does add credibility to what we're doing."

Jessica Pressley won the shot with a throw of 59 feet, 3/4 inch. Teammate Sarah Stevens was third at 57-1. Their strong finish made amends for their failure to qualify for the finals in the discus on Wednesday.

"Amazing," Pressley said. "I knew what I had to do and went out and did it."

The Sun Devils had 60 points to LSU's 53. Michigan was third with 36 and Texas A&M fourth with 34.

"I think it lets people know we're for real," Pressley said. "It's not just a lucky thing that we won indoors. We have the manpower -- or womanpower -- to do what we need to do. I think it's awesome."

Florida State's men picked up another 10 points in the 400 when Ricardo Chambers leaned into the tape to edge Lionel Larry of USC by .02 seconds. The two raced side-by-side down the stretch, with Chambers winning in 44.66 to Larry's 44.68.

South Carolina junior Nastasha Hastings bettered her world-leading time to 50.15 seconds while running away with the 400-meter title. She was just .05 seconds off Monique Henderson's collegiate record.

In another of the day's best races, Alysia Johnson of California barely held off Michigan's Katie Erdman to win the 800 meters in 1:59.21. Erdman was second at 1:59.35. They were the second- and third-fastest collegiate times ever in the event. They rank fifth and sixth in the world this year.

Andrew Ellerton of Michigan used a late kick to win the men's 800 in 1:47.48. Elias Koech of UTEP led most of the way and finished second in 1:47.70. Defending champion Ryan Brown of Cal was third at 1:47.77.

Baylor, anchored by sophomore Quentin Summers, won the men's 1,600-meter relay in 3:00.4, the third-fastest time ever by a college team. LSU defended its 1,600 relay title at 3:28.07.

Kerron Stewart of Auburn won the women's 200 in 22.42.

The 17 events on the final day of the meet were condensed into two hours to accommodate a national telecast by CBS.

The NCAA meet ended a three-run at Sacramento State, which also hosted the past two Olympic Trials. Next year's NCAA championships will be in Des Moines, Iowa, and the 2008 Olympic Trials are set for Eugene, Ore.

Shortly after Lorenzo Booker learned he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins, the Florida State running back became excited about learning nuances of the NFL game from Ricky Williams.

Instead, he'll essentially be replacing Williams.

Not only does Booker have the same locker that Williams occupied in the Dolphins' training complex, he'll also likely be Ronnie Brown's backup in Miami's backfield and fill the role many expected Williams to have before his suspension for violating the league's drug policy was extended until at least September.

And Williams' loss -- all indications are that the Dolphins will not welcome back the former NFL rushing champion when, or if, he is reinstated by the league -- appears to be Booker's gain.

"I'd be lying if I said that I didn't anticipate getting more carries because of that," Booker said Friday. "But at the same time, I was looking forward to learning from him also. Regardless of what the guy does on his own time, he's a great football player and no one can take that from him. ... But, obviously, I'm excited about the opportunity to get more touches early."

Brown is excited by that possibility, too.

He wasted no time in beginning to forge a relationship with Booker, teaching him some of the lessons he's learned since he was drafted No. 2 overall by the Dolphins in 2005 -- and predicted Friday that the rookie will make an impact for Miami right away this season.

"He's doing a great job," Brown said. "He came in and has been catching the ball real well, is learning a lot on the move. It'd be a lot for a lot of people, but he's taking everything in, isn't making a lot of mental mistakes and is getting better on a daily basis."

The 5-foot-10, 191-pound Booker generated 3,176 yards of offense in his four seasons at Florida State, averaging nearly 4.8 yards per carry and 8.1 yards per reception -- amid some cries that he wasn't used enough by the Seminoles.

It doesn't sound like that will be the case in Miami, where Dolphins coach Cam Cameron calls Booker "a change-of-pace guy," meaning someone who can run the ball, catch it, even return it if necessary.

"A football player is a football player," Cameron said. "And you find a way to use him. It could be a punt returner, it could be a kick returner, it could be a third-down back. ... He's quick and he's fast, but most guys in this league are as quick and as fast as he is. So it's going to be more a function of his mind than anything else."

So far, Booker says his mind is fine as he acclimates to football's highest level.

He was the Dolphins' third-round selection in last month's draft, going No. 71 overall -- lower than he wanted, but he was hardly complaining about making the relatively short move from Tallahassee to South Florida. Booker will become a father in two months, and the baby's mother is from Bradenton, about a three-hour drive from Miami's practice facility.

"That was one of the things I was worried about, because a little kid, you can't be flying back and forth," said Booker, who's from Ventura, Calif., not far from Los Angeles. "It couldn't have worked out better. Not only that, I always said that if I couldn't live in L.A., I'd want to live here, because it's the closest thing to it. God was looking out for me right there."

Plus, he's already signed a four-year deal with Miami, meaning his mother won't have to worry about working any more -- "Don't spend all my money," he told her -- and all he has to do these days is concentrate solely on football.

"All that's on my mind right now is helping these guys in whatever way possible," Booker said.

If I had to guess, I would say Zeus Hall is the only one of us that would come close..........Unless you lawyer types use these words in your briefs.

http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/booksellers/press_release/100words/

As the college football preseason magazines come out and the websites assemble their preseason lists, here's a quick look at some of the higher profile college football preseason top 25 lists.

Lindy's	Athlon	FoxSports	Rivals.com	AJC
1. USC	1. USC	1. USC	1. USC	1. USC
2. LSU	2. Texas	2. LSU	2. Michigan	2. West Virginia
3. Michigan	3. LSU	3. Texas	3. LSU	3. Oklahoma
4. West Virginia	4. Wisconsin	4. Florida	4. West Virginia	4. Ohio State
5. Texas	5. West Virginia	5. Wisconsin	5. Florida	5. Florida
6. Wisconsin	6. Florida	6. Ohio State	6. Ohio State	6. LSU
7. Tennessee	7. Oklahoma	7. Oklahoma	7. Virginia Tech	7. Texas
8. Virginia Tech	8. Michigan	8. Arkansas	8. Oklahoma	8. Michigan
9. Louisville	9. Virginia Tech	9. UCLA	9. Texas	9. Arkansas
10. Oklahoma	10. Rutgers	10. Michigan	10. Wisconsin	10. Virginia Tech
11. Florida	11. Cal	11. West Virginia	11. Louisville	11. Louisville
12. Cal	12. Ohio State	12. Georgia	12. Georgia	12. Wake Forest
13. Ohio State	13. Louisville	13. Virginia Tech	13. Nebraska	13. Wisconsin
14. Arkansas	14. Georgia Tech	14. Auburn	14. Auburn	14. Auburn
15. TCU	15. UCLA	15. Nebraska	15. Cal	15. Nebraska
16. Rutgers	16. Georgia	16. Tennessee	16. Arkansas	16. Georgia
17. Georgia	17. Penn State	17. Florida State	17. Tennessee	17. Tennessee
18. Texas A&M	18. Nebraska	18. Cal	18. Penn State	18. Rutgers
19. Hawaii	19. Hawaii	19. Boston College	19. Rutgers	19. South Carolina
20. Wake Forest	20. Tennessee	20. Texas A&M	20. Florida State	20. Florida State
21. Florida State	21. Auburn	21. Rutgers	21. Texas A&M	21. Notre Dame
22. UCLA	22. Oregon State	22. Georgia Tech	22. Notre Dame	22. Texas A&M
23. Auburn	23. Texas A&M	23. TCU	23. Hawaii	23. TCU
24. Boston College	24. Miami	24. Penn State	24. Boston College	24. Boise State
25. Nebraska	25. TCU	25. Oregon State	25. Clemson	25. Oklahoma St.

Here's a little known factoid (heck, not even Mr. Football Keith Jackson knows it!):

Florida State invented Gatorade, but the Florida Gators are the ones that patented it.

Contrary to popular belief, the University of Florida did not come up with the sports drink that is now known as Gatorade. The team doctor for the FSU football team, Dr. R.A. Johnson, began producing a sports drink that he called "Seminole Firewater" as early as 1962. Dr. Johnson blended sugar and lime flavoring with electrolytes (salts) to help keep the players hydrated and to prevent cramping. In 1964 at an annual Seminar of Collegiate sports physicians and athletic trainers held in Tallahassee, Fl., a representative from the University of Florida found out about the discovery that sodium and potassium keeps athletes better hydrated because it gives back to the body what is lost through sweat. They returned to Gainesville and, after being tested on the UF football players, the name "Gatorade" was given. The University of Florida requested a certified patent in 1967 for the drink that Dr. Johnson had freely shared with the public.

As Paul Harvey would say... and now you know the rest of the story.