Burt Reynolds Hall to be demolished; once home to Florida State football legends

Florida State's football success during its Dynasty Era could be attributed to coaching, talent and scheme.

Burt Reynolds Hall, a soon-to-be-demolished dormitory across from Doak Campbell Stadium, may have played a role, too.

"Living that close to each other, we were able to hold each other accountable without a guy getting upset," former FSU All-American defensive back Clifton Abraham said. "It like living in a big house.

"It was a brotherhood that went way beyond football."

Burt Reynolds Hall served as the football team's dorm from 1987 until a 1995 NCAA rule change eliminated athletes-only dorms. Now it has a date with the wrecking ball, according to FSU Facilities Design and Construction.

The area is destined to be a parking lot, officials said.

Though abandoned, in decay and enclosed by a chain link fencing with No Trespassing signs, the complex brings back fond and fun memories for many former players. While there was plenty of hijinks – and, at times, issues – players pointed to unity, closer communication, camaraderie and accountability.

Not to mention 96 wins and the program's first national championship in 1993.

"Burt Reynolds Hall provided us a family and neighborhood atmosphere," said Charlie Ward, who quarterbacked the Seminoles to the national title over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

Ward, a senior, was the program's first Heisman Trophy winner and roomed with freshman running back Warrick Dunn as a favor to coach Bobby Bowden. Dunn's mother, Baton Rouge police officer Betty Smothers, was working as a security guard and during a failed robbery attempt was ambushed and killed in January of 1993.

"We learned to take care of each other while also visiting our teammates just to hang out," Ward told the Democrat. "It was the reason we were such a close-knit team."

Longtime FSU chaplain Clint Purvis often held Bible studies at the dorm, recalling a time when an emotional freshman running back walked in and explained his mother was sick. The player said he didn't know what to do and asked the group of 20 to pray for her.

"We all talked and prayed and God rallied around him," Purvis said.

Seminole Boosters, Inc. previously owned Burt Reynolds Hall

Seminole Boosters, Inc., previously owned the 60-unit complex on Hayden Road for 36 years, selling it to the FSU Research Foundation in 2020. It transitioned into a student-housing complex after the NCAA banned athletes-only residences.

The complex featured three, two-story buildings and at one time a swimming pool.

Abraham roomed with fellow defensive backs Corey Fuller and Corey Sawyer, nicknaming their corner apartment as the "Corner Store." Former FSU defensive end All-American Peter Boulware, a successful Toyota Dealership owner in Tallahassee, described Burt Reynolds Hall on social media as the "craziest football dorm ever."

Former FSU assistant coach (1985-93) Wally Burnham supervised the dormitory for seven of his nine years with the Seminoles. While the NCAA said athletes should be integrated with, rather than insulated from the college experience, Burnham credited Burt Reynolds Hall for promoting team bonding

"Teams are always taking about chemistry and camaraderie, that (Burt Reynolds Hall) truly was a testament to those two words," said Burnham, who chuckled and also admitted players many times were alerted when he visited. "But it was fun because you really got to know the guys, by just by siting in their rooms and talking."

Former FSU quarterback (1987-91) Brad Johnson moved into Burt Reynolds Hall's apartment 205 as a freshman. He roomed with defensive lineman Gene Houpe, also from North Carolina, for four years and fellow quarterback Jeff McCrone for one year. He did not know either player prior to becoming roommates.

Johnson recalled cookouts, where receiver/hunter Matt Frier often provided a hog, foot races in the parking lot, checkers contests and pool parties. And there was the time Johnson accidently emptied a cup of ice from the second floor on linebacker Marvin Jones below.

Jones, who didn't see the culprit, angerly yelled in a booming voice, "Who is that?"

"I bear crawled to my room because I was so scared he might beat me up," Johnson said and laughed. "I didn't tell Marvin it was me until a few years later. But it was a great setup, great location right across from where you needed to be. I really enjoyed living there."

While namesake Burt Reynolds was not a financial contributor to the building, Seminole Boosters, Inc. wanted to pay tribute to the former FSU football player and Hollywood icon.

Reynolds, who died in 2018, attended the ribbon cutting and dedication in 1987. He quickly scampered into a dormitory room with wife Loni Anderson, fellow actors Dom DeLuise, Bernie Casey and Ricardo Montalban and FSU officials when a thunderstorm rolled in.

"Burt was in his element, telling stories about Hollywood, Clint Eastwood, his FSU and acting careers," said Rob Wilson, FSU's associate athletic director for communications. "If we had a cigar and a drink, we'd still be there listening to him."

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State football dorm, Burt Reynolds Hall, set for demolition