Florida State Football Sod Cemetery
Situated 200 feet north of Doak Campbell Stadium (Gate M) and just outside the entrance to the Al Dunlap Seminole Practice Fields, the Sod Cemetery draws thousands of spectators on game days.
For example, on September 28, 2023, the hosts at Warchant TV, a popular YouTube channel focused on Florida State sports, discussed this topic following the 2023 season win over Clemson at Memorial Stadium.
Despite the intensified atmosphere and Clemson's strategic machinations, Florida State managed to snap its seven-game losing streak, securing a 31–24 victory in overtime—marking the team's first-ever road win in overtime in school history.
[4] In summary, while it is crucial to adhere to the established criteria for designating sod games, the head coach reserves the final say, allowing for flexibility in circumstances such landmark road wins no matter who is favored.
In a simple but impactful gesture, Dean Coyle Moore, a sociology professor and a member of Florida State's athletic board,[6] spurred a tradition that has encapsulated the university's journey in college football.
Team captains Gene McDowell and Red Dawson honored Moore's directive, bringing a piece of sod back to Tallahassee in a paper Coca-Cola cup.
[11][12] It has since been the final resting place for pieces of turf from significant road wins and bowl games, each plot a testament to the Seminoles’ enduring spirit and tenacity.
[10] Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward and Matt Frier, both former players for Florida State, vividly illustrate the profound sense of pride and accomplishment intrinsic to the Sod Cemetery tradition.
He emphasized the unparalleled significance of these games, saying, “You took pride in knowing you were on the road, and you were supposed to lose.” This statement highlights the extra layer of motivation and the substantial challenges the tradition brought to the players, fostering a unique bond among them.
Frier holds this memory dear, maintaining a copy of the magazine in his office, a constant reminder of a pivotal moment in his life and the history of Florida State football.
Frier mused, “It was the definition of a sod game.”[10] As a result of an NCAA ruling in 2010, Florida State had to vacate victories across multiple sports due to an academic fraud scandal during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
Not only does he oversee the physical upkeep of the cemetery, ensuring that each piece of sod and its corresponding marker are well-maintained, but he also serves as an ambassador of this unique tradition to the broader community, and especially to the new generations of Seminoles' football players.
Every year, Mannheimer addresses the entire football team, explaining the origins, significance, and continuing importance of the sod tradition, instilling in new players a sense of pride and respect for the legacy they inherit.
His role is crucial in maintaining the vitality of this tradition, fostering a sense of continuity and shared history among Florida State University players, alumni, and fans.
A proud FSU graduate and ballet instructor, Cricket has, for nearly three decades, been responsible for the vibrant flower arrangements that grace the Sod Cemetery, particularly on game days.
Douglas Mannheimer's induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to his dedication and the broader importance of the Sod Cemetery in the tapestry of Florida State University traditions.
It's Mannheimer's job to order a marker from a West Virginia foundry that makes the engraved tombstones, flat on top and extending three feet into the ground.
On game days, a longer audio loop with the history, radio calls of great plays, and comments from players are heard at the cemetery during visits.
[8] Notable participants in these presentations have included Bobby Bowden, Ron Sellers, Charlie Ward, Warrick Dunn, Kez McCorvey, Matt Frier, Peter Boulware, Corey Simon and Lemarcus Joyner.
