A view from the top

A view from the top

As a former player, coach and die-hard fan, I am certainly familiar with football. However, this past weekend, I got to experience it from an entirely different perspective. I got "a view from the top."

My view was from the top of the press box at Doak Campbell Stadium at Florida State University.

My view was from the top of the press box at Doak Campbell Stadium at Florida State University.

Here’s a look at what it’s like to cover a major sporting event from the vantage afforded the media.

After arriving in Tallahassee, we quickly found our complimentary parking spot in the media lot conveniently located near the stadium. After we picked up our credentials for the season at the media entrance, we were whisked away to the ninth floor where we found our assigned seating and invitation to dine in the press hall for a pre game spread.

After dinner we began to set up laptops, phone chargers, and break out the more than 200 page spiral bound FSU media guide and the accompanying 200 plus page ACC media guide provided for us to use for any needed research during the night. The view of the field is unbelievable. To the left, there’s a clear view of one of the latest additions to the stadium, the 100-foot jumbo

It was a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow with an FSU victory Saturday.

digital television screen. Now that’s a jumbo-tron!

After several rain delays, God let us know with a sign that all was well. Note the rainbow at the top of the flag just above the stadium.

As the game finally got underway, the once empty press box takes on a life of its own. It’s a cross between the stock market trading floor and betting the trifecta at the dogs. There are guys on cell phones recording sound bites for their radio stations and sports writers from you name it in Florida and all over the country, not to mention the TV coverage taking place just beyond the opposite window.

Now that’s a jumbo-tron!

In our packets there was a flip up sheet with both team’s roster by name and number, a list of the coaches, and each team schedule. There are even our own game announcers and televisions with live action and replays of each play. At the end of each quarter, graduate assistants hit the floor with the stats and a play-by-play breakdown.

About half way through the fourth quarter, we chose what players we want to interview in the green room after the game. With approximately six minutes left in the game, it’s time for us to head to the field to snap a few photos and question coaches and players right after the game and "in the heat of the moment" so to speak.

Soon we are part of the mass of players headed back through the tunnel. The players head for the locker room and we head off to the press room to speak with players and coaches.

The press box takes on a life of its own come game time.

I have to say that I have never been one to gush or be star struck around people like Coach Bowden, but at 14, I first met him at an FCA Breakfast in Orlando celebrating FSU’s first trip to the Tangerine Bowl in 1977.

I met Coach again in 1980 when he came to my high school to speak to three of us on the offensive line about possibly playing football for Florida State. I never got to play for Coach Bowden, but as a young man who dreamed of playing for FSU, he became one of my true heros, and still is to this day.

Needless to say, I’m looking forward bringing you more coverage of FSU football.

Just one of the perks of being on the field after the game.