Florida State University marked its 175th anniversary by highlighting the longstanding partnership it has developed with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, according to a March 24 statement. The university said this relationship, which began more than 75 years ago, is built on consultation and mutual respect and now extends well beyond athletics.
President Richard McCullough said, “Florida State University’s most cherished relationship is with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Built on friendship, mutual respect and support for one another, this partnership has grown stronger and deeper over the years as we continue to explore new ways to work together for the benefit of the university and Tribe, as well as our state and nation.”
FSU First Lady Jai Vartikar added that celebrating this history is an important part of the anniversary events. “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our longstanding relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida,” Vartikar said. “We are honored to call ourselves Florida State Seminoles, a responsibility that is shared by our entire university community to represent the name with dignity and respect. This revered tradition is an important part of our history.”
The connection between FSU and the Seminole name began in 1947 when students selected “Seminoles” as their team name without input from tribal members. Since then, FSU has worked closely with tribal leaders to ensure respectful representation in traditions such as homecoming events—where Miss Florida Seminole participates—and athletic ceremonies like Osceola and Renegade’s appearance at football games. Jim Shore, legal counsel for the tribe, said in 2005: “An (actual) Seminole warrior of the 1800s couldn’t be depicted in modern time. But this character has a great resemblance to what he should be… The school has checked with us, over and over again. And we have no objections to how he’s portrayed. It’s always respectful.”
A key moment came in 2005 when NCAA rules restricted Native American names unless approved by tribes themselves; at that time, the tribe passed a formal resolution supporting FSU’s continued use of “Seminoles.” In recent years, FSU expanded its collaboration through annual heritage games featuring turquoise uniforms—a color symbolizing harmony—and educational initiatives like establishing a Native American and Indigenous Studies Center near campus.
Andrew Frank, director of that center, said: “The NAIS Center is continually trying to flip the script and allow the expertise of the Seminole Tribe to be at the forefront of our conversations… I am really excited to see where this relationship can take us.”
As part of its ongoing efforts beyond athletics—including murals by tribal artists displayed on campus—FSU continues traditions such as cultural graduation ceremonies using Creek language phrases meaning “to honor,” student volunteer trips for Indigenous arts celebrations at Big Cypress Reservation, participation in Brighton Field Day festivals showcasing tribal culture.
As FSU celebrates its milestone yearlong anniversary event series led by First Lady Vartikar—with participation from both university members and tribal representatives—the institution says it remains committed to deepening ties based on consultation, collaboration and respect.
