TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (Seminoles.com) – The No. 3-seeded Florida State Women’s Basketball team has an upcoming mission of reaching its fourth consecutive NCAA Sweet 16. But it also holds a farther-reaching objective for this weekend’s NCAA First and Second Rounds in Tallahassee.
The Seminoles will partner with local non-profit organization United Way of the Big Bend in an effort to generate valuable dollars through Saturday and Monday’s first and second-round ticket sales in Tallahassee.
Florida State head coach Sue Semrau is taking the pledge to give 10 percent of all ticket sales for the NCAA First and Second Rounds to the United Way of the Big Bend. The 21st-year head coach and true ambassador of Tallahassee will provide a maximum of $10,000 to the organization that strives to better the quality of life for everyday citizens.
The NCAA postseason initiative is called #UnitedWeDance, and fans are encouraged to use the hashtag to help spread awareness for the United Way of the Big Bend as well as generate even more buzz for the NCAA First and Second Rounds in Tallahassee.
“We’re excited for (FSU Women’s Basketball) to help bring our campaign to a close and bring it over the finish line, and we’re trying to help them do the same,” United Way of the Big Bend’s Glenda Thornton said. “We’re trying to encourage everyone in the community to please come out and support our team: The Seminoles.”
By using the #UnitedWeDance hashtag on social media, as well as purchasing NCAA First and Second Round tickets, fans are benefiting two organizations with enormous local pride. Florida State Women’s Basketball is in its 47th season and has brought Tallahasseans high-stakes basketball by hosting the NCAA First and Second Rounds in three of the past four years.
This weekend’s promotion is made possible by the diligent work of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and Sachs Media Group. They helped connect FSU Women’s Basketball and the United Way of the Big Bend, forming a mutual partnership that combines the goal of donating money to a worthy cause while creating a frenzied game-day atmosphere at the most critical time of the athletic season.
Led by Semrau since 1997, Florida State has reached the NCAA Elite Eight in two of the last three seasons and owns five NCAA Sweet 16 appearances since 2007. FSU is one of just eight programs that has finished in the Associated Press Top 15 in each of the last four seasons.
“I think it is essential, to who we are as Seminoles, that we can partner with someone in our community,” Semrau said. “I hope that people will respect this basketball team enough to come join us on Saturday morning, and at the same time respect what the United Way of the Big Bend has done for our community.”
Florida State begins its NCAA postseason run on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Center against 14th-seeded Little Rock. No. 6 seed USF and 11th-seeded Buffalo follow at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Monday’s second-round game between the two advancing teams will be decided following the completion of all Saturday games in the NCAA Tournament.
Fans can purchase all-session passes on Noletickets.com.
