HEAD COACH EIGHTH YEAR “Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst...a spark that creates extraordinary results.” For Seminole head coach Sue Semrau, a positive outlook with a positive attitude will be essential as she embarks on her eighth season at the helm of the Florida State program. While the Florida State women’s basketball team has made great strides on the court in recent years, it has been dealt more than its share of heartache off of the court, especially over the past two years. Semrau, however, has chosen to respectfully move forward and will rely on her faith and her strength as she leads the Florida State women’s basketball program onward as well. “True leaders are not those who strive to be first but those who are first to strive and who give their all for the success of the team. True leaders are first to see the need, envision the plan, and empower the team for action. By the strength of the leader’s commitment, the power of the team is unleashed.” Semrau has tried to pattern her coaching philosophies after coaches that she admires and respects. One of those coaches is Florida State’s very own Bobby Bowden. Sure, who wouldn’t want to imitate the actions of a coaching legend? But what people may not realize is that when Coach Bowden arrived in Tallahassee in 1976, he was facing a situation that was very similar SEMRAU FILE to what Semrau faced when she came FSU/CAREER RECORD: 92-110 (7 years) to FSU in 1997. The Seminole football COACHING STOPS: team had won just four games com- Occidental College (Los Angeles, CA) — Head Coach/Assistant Athletic bined in the two years before Bowden Director (1987-90) arrived. The Seminole women’s basket- Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL) — Assistant Coach/Recruiting ball team had won just five games and Coordinator (1990-93) had gone 0-16 in the ACC the season University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI) — Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator prior to Semrau’s arrival. Both had (1994-97) huge challenges ahead of them and Florida State University — Head Coach (1997-present) both committed themselves to revitaliz- 2001 ACC COACH OF THE YEAR ing their respective programs. Bowden’s success speaks for itself. He 16 2 0 0 4 W o m e n ’ s B a s k e t b a l l took a football program that FSU was considering discontinuing and turned it into a national power. In seven sea- sons, Semrau has taken a program from the cellar of the Atlantic Coast Conference and turned it into a pro- gram that is respected not only in the state of Florida and in the ACC, but in the nation as well. Semrau has definitely put Florida State women’s basketball back on the map. She and her staff have pounded the pavement in the recruit- ing department and have secured three recruiting classes ranked in the top 10 nationally. The daunting task that faced Semrau when she was named Florida State’s third head coach in as many years certainly would have persuaded others to run the other way, but not Semrau. She had a passion and a desire to build and she wasn’t going to let anything get in her way. “I’ve always said you have to see the invisible, to do the impossible,” she said upon her hiring in July of 1997. Now, Florida State is wreaking the benefits of Semrau’s determination. The Sue Semrau and Florida State President Dr. T.K. Wetherell Seminoles have made three post season appearances in the past four years, league finish since joining the ACC in been nationally-ranked and have twice 1991. The Seminoles were the only finished in the top four in the ever- team in the nation to defeat Duke on its challenging ACC. The Tribe’s back-to- home court in 2000-01 and earned back WNIT appearances in 2003 and their highest-ever seed in the ACC 2004 marked the first time since the Tourney at No. 4 and advanced to the 1990 and 1991 seasons that FSU tournament’s semifinals for the first time. participated in back-to-back postseason Other firsts included defeating Virginia play. for the first time and FSU took two of Over the past two years, Semrau three from the Cavaliers, including a has guided the program to many firsts, win in the ACC Tournament. The including defeating Clemson at Clemson Seminoles’ win over Tulane in the for the first time in FSU history. In fact, NCAA Tournament marked the first time FSU had beaten Clemson just once in that FSU has recorded a postseason 24 tries, and not since the 1992, prior victory away from Tallahassee. to the 2002-03 season and has now Semrau was named the Atlantic swept the Tigers in back-to-back years. Coast Conference Coach of the Year by Last season, the Seminoles earned their the Atlantic Coast Sports Writers first ever victory at Virginia. Having Association in 2001 after Florida State’s never beaten the Cavaliers until the vast improvement. 2000-01 season, FSU now has four “You would have to understand the victories over the ACC-foe. The Tribe magnitude of the task that she under- has also become somewhat of a thorn took four years ago in order to fully in Duke’s side over the past few years. appreciate just how deserving this When Semrau guided the Seminoles to honor is for Sue Semrau,” Dave Hart, an 80-74 win over the No. 2-ranked FSU Director of Athletics, said. “In a Blue Devils on February 4, 2004, it was conference full of outstanding coaches, not only the highest ranked opponent Sue very much earned this recognition. FSU had ever beaten, but it snapped I’m very happy for her.” Duke’s 51-ACC game winning streak. In 1997, when Hart went searching Furthermore, two of Duke’s last three for a women’s basketball coach, he ACC losses have come at the hands of found in Semrau just what he was the Seminoles. looking for. Florida State had a breakout “Sue’s integral role in the building season in 2000-01 as Semrau led the process at two different programs, Seminoles to a No. 25 final ranking along with her tremendous energy and with a 19-12 record, a third-place reputation as a recruiter, were the most finish in the ACC and its first NCAA important profile characteristics in her Tournament since 1990-91. It was selection as our women’s basketball Florida State’s first winning season since coach at Florida State University,” Hart 1991-92 as well as the school’s best said. F l o r i d a S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y 17 we are in our own community,” Semrau said. “It’s not only important when we ence at two Division I schools, Semrau are in Tallahassee, but anywhere we brought a great deal of wisdom and go, there’s a need. What I see, as a vision to a program starving for such result, is a bunch of players who are nourishment. very excited about giving back. I think Semrau’s philosophy in rebuilding it’s a culture that not only women’s the Florida State program has been a basketball, but Florida State athletics simple one. Semrau runs her program has started and one that’s meeting a in such a way where players are treated need for people who are out there and as people first, students second and it turns out to be a lot of fun.” athletes third. She is a relationship From day one of her reign, Semrau coach who believes in initiating rela- emphasized a need to build consistency tionships rather than waiting for others in every facet of the women’s basketball to do so. program. With Semrau’s arrival to Semrau’s style has been embraced Florida State in the summer of 1997, by all who have come in contact with the Seminole women’s basketball her. She has won the hearts of the program had had three different head Florida State media, fans and most coaches in three years. Semrau’ importantly, the student-athletes, which commitment to building a respectable has become very evident in her recruit- program at FSU has provided stability ing success. Semrau and her staff have to the program. brought in five of the nation’s top “A true leader has the confi- recruiting classes since their arrival. dence to stand alone, the courage Three players have also been drafted to to make tough decisions, and the the WNBA since Semrau’s arrival, with compassion to listen to the needs of Brooke Wyckoff still playing for the others. He does not set out to be a Connecticut Sun. leader, but becomes one by the Semrau’s friendliness and ease with quality of his actions and the the media have made her a favorite to integrity of his intent. In the end, interview and the “Lunch with Sue” leaders are much like eagles...they don't flock, you find them one at a booster-sponsored luncheons, continue time." to grow in popularity and attendance. Her commitment to community service has also been a priority for the program and it all starts on the court.