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Faith on the Field: Resilience and Faith Behind FSU Football
On Saturdays in the fall, Doak Campbell Stadium pulses with energy as the Florida State Seminoles take the field. To fans, it’s a spectacle of power and precision — a test of strategy, strength, and skill.
But behind every helmet and jersey is a young man on a journey — not only as an athlete, but also as a student, a son, and a person navigating life’s challenges. This season’s success has been built on more than talent; it has required resilience, grit, and faith.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Mike Norvell, a Catholic man of deep conviction, the team has embraced a culture that prizes personal growth as much as athletic achievement.
“This group has faced adversity head-on,” says Fr. Tim Holeda, Rector of the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More and an FSU alumnus. “What we see on the field — the determination, the unity, the drive — it mirrors the work they’re doing to grow as individuals and as a team.”
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Fr. Tim has served as a steady spiritual presence, attending practices and scrimmages through the years. He accompanies the team in quiet ways — through prayer, encouragement, and simply being there to listen when needed.
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“It’s about reminding them that their worth isn’t tied to performance,” he explains. “Whether they win or lose, they are deeply loved by God.”
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The Seminoles’ success hasn’t come easily. The team has had to battle through difficult seasons, rebuilding year by year, learning to trust the process and each other. Their journey is a testament to what can happen when a group of people comes together with shared purpose and vision.
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“The wonderful thing about the game of football,” Coach Norvell shares, “is that it mimics life experiences so much. There are great days, challenging moments, and hard work required without always getting to see immediate returns.
We don’t always know why we have to go through certain things, but if you are willing to continue to grow and have faith, knowing God is with us, we will reap the benefits of our investments.”
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For many players, those words reflect their own faith journeys — learning to keep showing up, even when outcomes aren’t certain.
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The Catholic Noles family shares in this mission of resilience and growth. Just as the team is building character and strength on the field, CSU provides a home where students can deepen their spiritual lives and find lasting community.
​“Whether at church on Sundays, in the chapel, the student lounge, or on the sidelines at Doak, faith is woven into campus life,” says Fr. Tim. “It’s inspiring to see how these young men — and all our students — are supported in becoming who God created them to be.”
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As the Seminoles chase their dreams this season, their story is about far more than football. It’s about the quiet victories of perseverance, the strength found in faith, and the love of a community that believes in them every step of the way.
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“We are all blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of this game,” says Coach Norvell, “and we get to be a blessing by serving each other, our university, and our community.”