By Southern Pigskin Staff
SouthernPigskin.com

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The multi-year agreement calls for Bobby Bowden to make public appearances during the year to promote, market and raise funds for FSU Athletics in 2014 and 2015.

Seminoles.com/Jerry Kutz

Former Florida State University head coach Bobby Bowden and Seminole Boosters, Inc. have agreed to a marketing and promotions agreement to raise money for Florida State Athletics.

x9cWhen Coach Bowden accepted FSU President Eric Barrons invitation to come back for two home games this fall, we saw an opportunity to formulate an agreement that will allow the Boosters to take Coach Bowden to fans across the country to promote Seminole Athletics,x9d said Andy Miller, President of Seminole Boosters, Inc., the fundraising arm of Florida State Athletics. x9cCoach Bowden has always been a great ambassador for the University and will be invaluable in our efforts to fund a highly successful Athletics program.x9d

The multi-year agreement will begin in January, 2014, and calls for Bowden to make public appearances during the year to promote, market and raise funds for FSU Athletics in 2014 and 2015. In addition to a Personal Services Agreement, Bowden granted Seminole Boosters the right to use his name and likeness under an exclusive licensing agreement. The Boosters portion of this partnership will support Athletics.

Bowden is no stranger to personal speaking agreements with Seminole Boosters. For more than 35 years as head coach, Bowden was the featured speaker on the Spring Seminole Booster tour, which raised funds and promoted Seminole Athletics.

x9cI am delighted,x9d said FSU President Eric Barron. x9cCoach has always been a great friend-raiser, and it will be an emotional time for his legions of fans to see him back on Bobby Bowden Field this fall. This new agreement will allow us to bring Coach Bowden to our supporters around the country and allow them to share in this positive spirit.x9d

x9cI cant think of a better ambassador than Bobby Bowden to serve in this very important roll,x9d says Allan Bense, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. x9cI applaud Seminole Boosters for seizing the opportunity.x9d

Bowden will receive compensation of $250,000 per year and half of the net royalty income from licensing.

x9cWe have looked forward to the day that Coach Bowden was ready to make appearances at Florida State events,x9d said Gene Ready, Chairman of the Board of Seminole Boosters. x9cCoach Bowden has always said that he didnt want to come back until his successor had established himself. Now that Jimbo Fisher has won an Atlantic Coast Conference Championship and the BCS Orange Bowl Championship, the time was right. Who better to promote FSU athletic programs than the man who put us on the national collegiate sports map and led us to national championships twice? It is definitely a win-win-win situation for Seminole Boosters, FSU and Coach Bowden.x9d

Head Football Coach Jimbo Fisher said he is glad Coach Bowden is involved. x9cI am very excited and looking forward to having Coach Bowden coming back),x9d said Fisher. x9cI think it is a great thing for Florida State and for Coach Bowden. It is very indicative of his nature and the man he is to want to come back and help. He and I have a great relationship. He has helped with Kidz 1st and is just a great friend.x9d

Speaking on behalf of the Athletics Department and all former student-athletes, Senior Associate Athletics Director Monk Bonasorte is excited Bowden will be involved.

“As a former player under Coach Bowden and now a member of this athletic department, Coach’s return feels like a member of the family coming home,” said Bonasorte, who was an All American safety in 1980. “The excitement level and anticipation among our fans and our former players to be able to recognize Coach Bowden is so gratifying for someone like me who had the privilege of playing for a legend. We are thrilled he is going to continue to be an ambassador for Seminole Boosters and FSU Athletics in the coming years.”

Bowden said hes looking forward to traveling with the Boosters again and renewing friendships hes enjoyed for so many years.

x9cI am excited about being back,x9d Bowden said. x9cOne of the things I missed most about Florida State was the Seminole Boosters banquets that I did. You do that for 34 years, you get real personal. Youve been knowing them for 34 years so it will feel good to see a lot of (friends) again.

x9cI hope most of it is golf,x9d Bowden said with a wink, x9cbut whatever it is I will be there.x9d

Bowden said fundraising has always been a natural fit for him as he has seen how athletics scholarships change the lives of his players and generations of family members to follow.

x9cI graduated from Samford University back in 1952 but I worked for Florida State University for 34 years, so, naturally it becomes my number one school,x9d said Bowden. x9c(The money raised) goes to a young man or woman who gets an education, then becomes a productive citizen with a good job, and the first thing you know they are donating (a scholarship) back because they realize what the university meant to them. I just hope I can do my part.x9d