Florida State University Athletics
Seminoles Play Host To Florida A&M In Basketball Exhibition On Oct. 26
10/14/2025 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE – Tallahassee's most anticipated basketball showdown returns this fall as the Florida State Seminoles take on the Florida A&M Rattlers in the Tallahassee Tip-Off presented by Champions First Credit Union on Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 4 p.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Center. The cross-town rivalry brings together two proud programs and unites the community for an unforgettable night of basketball, spirit, and celebration.
With both teams led by legendary former Seminole point guards, this event highlights more than just a basketball game - it showcases local pride, competitive athletic excellence, and the Tallahassee community.
Florida State is coached by Luke Loucks (2009-12 at FSU), who played on a school record four consecutive NCAA Tournament teams, and helped the Seminoles win their first ACC Championship in 2012. Florida A&M is coached by Charlie Ward (1991-94 at FSU), who played on three NCAA Tournament teams, and helped the Seminoles to the 1991 Metro Conference tournament championship. Loucks (10th, 391 career assists) and Ward (ninth, 396 career assists) are two of the most important players in school history and are among the pillars at the point guard position at Florida State.
Loucks enters his first season as Florida State's eighth head coach as the Seminoles' all-time leader for assists in an ACC Tournament game with 13 against North Carolina on March 11, 2012. His performance in that game against the Tar Heels led the Seminoles to their first ACC tournament championship.
Ward enters his first season as Florida A&M's head coach as the Seminoles' all-time leader in steals with 238. His nine steals against South Carolina on March 2, 1991, is tied for the second highest single-game total in school history.
"I am extremely excited to coach for the first time in the Donald L. Tucker Center against FAMU and Charlie Ward," said Lucks "This will be a celebration of Tallahassee and will support Charlie and I as we rebuild our perspective programs. Additionally, we are thrilled to honor Charlie Ward's career as a Seminole great by hanging his jersey in our rafters where it belongs."
Tickets for the game will be $10, and all seating will be general admission, apart from courtside seating, which will be reserved for ticket holders. Parking at the Tucker Center is also available for $10. Student tickets will be free to current FSU and FAMU students.
Florida State season ticket holders will receive complimentary general admission tickets in the quantity corresponding to the number of season tickets purchased. They can purchase additional general admission tickets if needed. Season ticket holders who opted to purchase a season-long parking pass will also receive a complimentary pass for the game.
Tickets to the FAMU exhibition are set to go on sale here: https://seminoles.evenue.net/events/MBSINGLE on October 13. Student tickets are free to students from both schools – all they will need to do is show their I.D upon entering.
Tickets for the Seminoles' exhibition game against FAMU along with season-tickets will be emailed on Oct. 14.
"Charlie had an incredible football and basketball career here in Tallahassee, followed by a decade long NBA career filled with personal and team success," said Loucks. "Let's fill every seat in the Tucker center to celebrate Charlie and support our programs as we get started in our first seasons as head coaches."
The exhibition game between the Seminoles and the Rattlers will be the first meeting since December 7, 1991. Florida State leads the all-time series by a 5-0 margin. In an interesting series note, the two teams played the first men's college basketball game in the Tallahassee Leon County Civic Center in 1981.
"At Champions First Credit Union, we're proud to support this historic matchup between FSU and FAMU," said Chuck Adcock, Champions First Credit Union President and CEO. "We are proud to be part of the continued legacy of FSU basketball under the guidance and Coach Luke Loucks, a former Seminole standout who carries the torch forward for the next generation. We look forward to joining the fans in the stands for an unforgettable evening of basketball."
As presenting sponsor of this special game, Champions First Credit Union will provide a unique Charlie Ward 1993 Jersey rally towel giveaway for the first 1,000 fans.
Florida State opens its regular season on November 4 against Alcorn State at the Tucker Center.
Season tickets for all 16 Florida State home games, starting at $150 per seat, are available now and can be purchased HERE. Single-game ticket sale dates will be available in October.
With both teams led by legendary former Seminole point guards, this event highlights more than just a basketball game - it showcases local pride, competitive athletic excellence, and the Tallahassee community.
Florida State is coached by Luke Loucks (2009-12 at FSU), who played on a school record four consecutive NCAA Tournament teams, and helped the Seminoles win their first ACC Championship in 2012. Florida A&M is coached by Charlie Ward (1991-94 at FSU), who played on three NCAA Tournament teams, and helped the Seminoles to the 1991 Metro Conference tournament championship. Loucks (10th, 391 career assists) and Ward (ninth, 396 career assists) are two of the most important players in school history and are among the pillars at the point guard position at Florida State.
Loucks enters his first season as Florida State's eighth head coach as the Seminoles' all-time leader for assists in an ACC Tournament game with 13 against North Carolina on March 11, 2012. His performance in that game against the Tar Heels led the Seminoles to their first ACC tournament championship.
Ward enters his first season as Florida A&M's head coach as the Seminoles' all-time leader in steals with 238. His nine steals against South Carolina on March 2, 1991, is tied for the second highest single-game total in school history.
"I am extremely excited to coach for the first time in the Donald L. Tucker Center against FAMU and Charlie Ward," said Lucks "This will be a celebration of Tallahassee and will support Charlie and I as we rebuild our perspective programs. Additionally, we are thrilled to honor Charlie Ward's career as a Seminole great by hanging his jersey in our rafters where it belongs."
Tickets for the game will be $10, and all seating will be general admission, apart from courtside seating, which will be reserved for ticket holders. Parking at the Tucker Center is also available for $10. Student tickets will be free to current FSU and FAMU students.
Florida State season ticket holders will receive complimentary general admission tickets in the quantity corresponding to the number of season tickets purchased. They can purchase additional general admission tickets if needed. Season ticket holders who opted to purchase a season-long parking pass will also receive a complimentary pass for the game.
Tickets to the FAMU exhibition are set to go on sale here: https://seminoles.evenue.net/events/MBSINGLE on October 13. Student tickets are free to students from both schools – all they will need to do is show their I.D upon entering.
Tickets for the Seminoles' exhibition game against FAMU along with season-tickets will be emailed on Oct. 14.
"Charlie had an incredible football and basketball career here in Tallahassee, followed by a decade long NBA career filled with personal and team success," said Loucks. "Let's fill every seat in the Tucker center to celebrate Charlie and support our programs as we get started in our first seasons as head coaches."
The exhibition game between the Seminoles and the Rattlers will be the first meeting since December 7, 1991. Florida State leads the all-time series by a 5-0 margin. In an interesting series note, the two teams played the first men's college basketball game in the Tallahassee Leon County Civic Center in 1981.
"At Champions First Credit Union, we're proud to support this historic matchup between FSU and FAMU," said Chuck Adcock, Champions First Credit Union President and CEO. "We are proud to be part of the continued legacy of FSU basketball under the guidance and Coach Luke Loucks, a former Seminole standout who carries the torch forward for the next generation. We look forward to joining the fans in the stands for an unforgettable evening of basketball."
As presenting sponsor of this special game, Champions First Credit Union will provide a unique Charlie Ward 1993 Jersey rally towel giveaway for the first 1,000 fans.
Florida State opens its regular season on November 4 against Alcorn State at the Tucker Center.
Season tickets for all 16 Florida State home games, starting at $150 per seat, are available now and can be purchased HERE. Single-game ticket sale dates will be available in October.
LB Justin Cryer: “Focus on myself”
Tuesday, October 14
RB Gavin Sawchuk: “He’s dynamic”
Tuesday, October 14
WR Coach Tim Harris Jr.: “The standards don’t change”
Tuesday, October 14
FSU Football | Inside Seminole Football | Episode 6: Stanford
Tuesday, October 14