Florida State University Athletics
Saturday, January 6
Tallahassee, Fla.
4:00 p.m.
Florida State
vs
Virginia Tech
Hoops For Troops: Military Appreciation Day Saturday Vs. Virginia Tech
1/5/2024 2:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Saturday is a special day for Seminole Assistant Basketball Coach Steve Smith and guard Josh Nickelberry as the Florida State Department of Athletics and the FSU Basketball team celebrates Military Appreciation Day during its game against Virginia Tech at the Donald L. Tucker Center beginning at 4:00 p.m.
As part of the Military Appreciation celebration, active duty and former service men and women can contact the Florida State Ticket Office for discounted tickets.
Smith, who served in the Army, and Nickleberry, whose mother served in the Army for 10 years, are very passionate about how military service positively affects one's life.
Smith played college basketball at Morgan State for two seasons before enlisting in the United States Army. While in the Army, he served various assignments from 1994-2000 at Ft. Gordon (Ga.), Ft. Hood (Texas) and Ft. Meade (Maryland). While in the Army, he specialized in computers, gaining invaluable training in that discipline.
Being raised in a military family I've always had a profound respect and appreciation for the armed forces and their service members," said Smith. "When I myself joined the US Army it was a pivotal moment in my life that has largely shaped who and where I am today. I continue to strive daily to live by the Army Core values of: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Courage."
For Nickelberry, who is in his first season at Florida State, his mother Meredith McKinney is an Army veteran. He is a member of Florida State basketball team after earning his bachelor's degree in communication from La Salle University in May of 2023.
"Growing up in a military family shaped me in many ways," said Nickelberry. "I'm very proud to have parents that served in the military. One reason it that it shows the heart they have for fighting for a country that is bigger than them. They're not worried about themselves. They are worried about the well-being of others. Being a child in that family, it just shows me the love that my mom has for me. I know she has that compassion for the country as well."
The FSU Department of Athletics annually hosts Military Appreciation Day across many of its athletic teams in conjunction with the Student Veterans Center (SVC) on campus.
In 2011, Florida State University enhanced its commitment to students who served with the launch of the SVC.
In addition to veterans, SVC Director Billy Francis and his staff provide resources and support to students who are active-duty, National Guard and Reserve members and veteran/military dependents.
"The special energy the Military Appreciation game generates really encapsulates the positive vibe Florida State aims for in its support of veterans and military students," said Francis. "FSU Athletics does such a great job making veterans feel connected to and even a special part of the university community."
The education benefits team at the Student Veterans Center manages the processing of government funding provided by the departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense. Across campus, there are nearly 40 academic and administrative volunteers who serve as veteran liaisons. These supports have fostered an environment where military-affiliated students can thrive.
Since the SVC was founded in 2011, veteran graduation rates at Florida State have increased from 69 percent to 87.5 percent -- 35% higher than the national average.
This increase can be attributed, in part, to the dozens of veteran-focused events the SVC hosts each year, which foster comradery and connectedness to the university. These events range from a monthly First Friday Lunch to an annual Military Ball.
Veterans bring distinct experiences and perspectives to the university that benefit the campus community as a whole and differ from those of traditional college students. Francis says that distinction and perspective also benefit student veterans in their roles as leaders.
"Veterans are an important part of Florida State's heritage," said Francis. "In 1947, the state legislature converted the Florida State College for Women to the coeducational Florida State University as World War II veterans using the G.I. Bill attended colleges in droves."
"Our Military Appreciation days provide an opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to our nation's military service members and their families, whether past, present, or future, for their sacrifices protecting the rights and freedoms that we enjoy as Americans," said Colonel (Retired) Chuck Morris, Coordinator of Special Projects for the FSU Department of Athletics.
As part of the Military Appreciation celebration, active duty and former service men and women can contact the Florida State Ticket Office for discounted tickets.
Smith, who served in the Army, and Nickleberry, whose mother served in the Army for 10 years, are very passionate about how military service positively affects one's life.
Smith played college basketball at Morgan State for two seasons before enlisting in the United States Army. While in the Army, he served various assignments from 1994-2000 at Ft. Gordon (Ga.), Ft. Hood (Texas) and Ft. Meade (Maryland). While in the Army, he specialized in computers, gaining invaluable training in that discipline.
Being raised in a military family I've always had a profound respect and appreciation for the armed forces and their service members," said Smith. "When I myself joined the US Army it was a pivotal moment in my life that has largely shaped who and where I am today. I continue to strive daily to live by the Army Core values of: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Courage."
For Nickelberry, who is in his first season at Florida State, his mother Meredith McKinney is an Army veteran. He is a member of Florida State basketball team after earning his bachelor's degree in communication from La Salle University in May of 2023.
"Growing up in a military family shaped me in many ways," said Nickelberry. "I'm very proud to have parents that served in the military. One reason it that it shows the heart they have for fighting for a country that is bigger than them. They're not worried about themselves. They are worried about the well-being of others. Being a child in that family, it just shows me the love that my mom has for me. I know she has that compassion for the country as well."
The FSU Department of Athletics annually hosts Military Appreciation Day across many of its athletic teams in conjunction with the Student Veterans Center (SVC) on campus.
In 2011, Florida State University enhanced its commitment to students who served with the launch of the SVC.
In addition to veterans, SVC Director Billy Francis and his staff provide resources and support to students who are active-duty, National Guard and Reserve members and veteran/military dependents.
"The special energy the Military Appreciation game generates really encapsulates the positive vibe Florida State aims for in its support of veterans and military students," said Francis. "FSU Athletics does such a great job making veterans feel connected to and even a special part of the university community."
The education benefits team at the Student Veterans Center manages the processing of government funding provided by the departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense. Across campus, there are nearly 40 academic and administrative volunteers who serve as veteran liaisons. These supports have fostered an environment where military-affiliated students can thrive.
Since the SVC was founded in 2011, veteran graduation rates at Florida State have increased from 69 percent to 87.5 percent -- 35% higher than the national average.
This increase can be attributed, in part, to the dozens of veteran-focused events the SVC hosts each year, which foster comradery and connectedness to the university. These events range from a monthly First Friday Lunch to an annual Military Ball.
Veterans bring distinct experiences and perspectives to the university that benefit the campus community as a whole and differ from those of traditional college students. Francis says that distinction and perspective also benefit student veterans in their roles as leaders.
"Veterans are an important part of Florida State's heritage," said Francis. "In 1947, the state legislature converted the Florida State College for Women to the coeducational Florida State University as World War II veterans using the G.I. Bill attended colleges in droves."
"Our Military Appreciation days provide an opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to our nation's military service members and their families, whether past, present, or future, for their sacrifices protecting the rights and freedoms that we enjoy as Americans," said Colonel (Retired) Chuck Morris, Coordinator of Special Projects for the FSU Department of Athletics.
Players Mentioned
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