Dave Hart, Florida State's new athletic director, recently discussed a range of subjects with Osceola publisher Jerry Kutz. Hart took over in mid- March.

Q. It was well known that Bobby Bowden's choice for athletic director was Steve Sloan. Have you and Bowden talked?

A. I feel there is a mutual respect there that is real. Bobby is everything and more than I thought he would be as a person, as a coach, to work with. Believe me, there are absolutely no problems existing there.

Q. Bowden has always favored playing the Notre Dames and Nebraskas. Do you agree with that kind of scheduling?

A. This program is where it is for two reasons: because of the leadership and skills Bobby Bowden has brought, not just in the coaching arena but as a person, (and) secondly, this program had the courage to take on that type of competition. I can foresee us taking that approach through the rest of the decade.

Q. Have you had a chance to evaluate the overall department?

A. (Soon) we should have formalized a plan for where we want to be in the next five years, what we want to look like in the year 2005 and beyond.

As we try to build a comprehensive program, there is an associated price tag. There is a misperception that because we have a $22-million budget that money is not a problem. That is not accurate. We have a relatively modest reserve as well as a modest endowment. Because of the demands of gender equity and the need for facilities, there are a lot of items that need attention that carry price tags.

We've been blessed with the success of football which generates an extremely high percentage of our revenues. The boosters have done a marvelous job. I see a need down the road for us to continue to generate those kinds of revenues.

Q. Will you invest in better facilities?

A. In baseball and football, the facilities are excellent. We have a very well-designed tennis facility which needs locker rooms and that's underway, but I think all of the other facilities need renovation.

Q. What are your thoughts on building an on-campus facility for basketball?

A.Perhaps the Civic Center can be modified in some ways that it would become an even better place. But we would be shortsighted, and it would be unfair to the future development of both our men's and women's basketball programs, our volleyball program, for us not to make that study part of a 20-year plan.

Q. What are the challenges facing FSU's new soccer coaches?

A. It is going to take time to recruit the level of talent that will be necessary to compete in the ACC. It will take time to get the facility in its final form. But in time we can build a highly competitive and very successful program.

Q. In your view, what is the role of the compliance department?

A. Compliance has become an absolutely critical component. You cannot have a laissez faire attitude and survive.

We need a little more manpower in that area. We are running a program at a very high level, and we are still relatively new to (compliance), as a lot of people are. It is very complex and ever changing.

The athletic department has the very best chance within the total university to cast the university in a positive light. Conversely, the athletics program has the very best chance to give the university a black eye. Compliance... is a vital necessity.

Q. How committed are you to providing academic support for student- athletes?

A. I don't think you can make too great of an investment in academics or in compliance because the downside of not making a proper investment is more costly than the investment itself. Plus, I firmly believe we have an obligation to these young men and women, academically, socially, and in their overall development.

Q. What is your stand on the issue of gender equity?

A. It is really pretty simplistic. The definition of equity in my mind is fair; it doesn't mean equal. There will be a very sincere effort to be fair and to build programs, to the very best of our capabilities and our resources, that are championship quality. It is a very realistic goal to be competing for the Sears Cup (awarded to America's top all-around athletic program).

Q. Is FSU far from where it needs to be in terms of gender equity?

A. In the state of Florida the standards for gender equity far exceed the expectations and parameters within the NCAA. And that is fine, but it means that we have farther to go than the norm.

We have to be able to generate the necessary revenues, particularly if the state discontinues its participation in the revenue side of this equation.

Q. When it comes to satisfying their AD, what should coaches who work for you expect?

A. I set high standards, but I try to insulate those expectations with a high level of support. Those two things go hand in hand. You should aspire to excel, not just compete. That is one of the lessons athletics teaches that you can take with you when you leave an institution.

If there are no signs of progress of reaching that level, I think you make a change. I tell our coaches up front that I expect them to be successful. I expect them to operate programs with absolutely no hint of scandal, to operate with integrity and within all the parameters of the NCAA, the university and the ACC, but I expect them to be successful.