Noles’ 2016-17 Postseason Success Elite, Rare

With FSU baseball’s win over Cal State Fullerton yesterday in Omaha, Florida State is the only program in the country to earn a berth in, and then win, a New Year’s Six bowl game, a College World Series game, and a men’s NCAA Tournament game during the 2016-17 academic year.

Florida State’s big three sports earned a spot in their top individual postseason competitions during the past year, then took advantage by winning at least one game in each.

The 2016 FSU football team defeated Michigan 33-32 in the Orange Bowl on December 30, 2016, a non-playoff CFP New Years Six bowl game. Florida State has earned a New Years Six bowl berth in all three years of the College Football Playoff era.

The 2016-2017 Florida State basketball team, making its first March Madness appearance in 5 years, earned a 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and won its opening round game against Florida Gulf Coast 86-80 on March 16, 2017.

The 2017 FSU baseball team, continuing its improbable postseason run, earned the program’s 22nd appearance in the College World Series and notched a 6-4 win against Cal State Fullerton in yesterday’s elimination game.

Accomplishing this rare feat is commendable, especially given that it was done in the span of just one academic year. It also highlights FSU’s efficiency relative to program spending, particularly when taking into account that FSU is surrounded by neighboring SEC programs whose athletic departments typically have larger budgets, revenue streams, and spending levels than Florida State’s.

Most programs across the country are happy if they make one of these three postseason appearances in an academic year. FSU made an appearance, and won at least one game, in all three. Talk about your true #EverythingSchool.