Playing Dress-up
posted by David Cloninger, 9/15/2009 05:27:00 PM
------------------ MADONNA
Enterprising journalist that I am (read: snoop), I ducked into one of the Williams-Brice Stadium portals on Tuesday to get a first-hand look at how the stadium’s being presented for its first home game on Saturday.
I am impressed.
Fans will get a treat when they come to Saturday’s game hosting Florida Atlantic. The stadium, long a barren fortress where cement-gray was the main color, has been spruced up. And in the best way – by honoring the team that calls it home.
Each of the four ramps to the stadium has been outfitted with decals describing the all-time statistical category leaders of USC football. Steve Taneyhill, Kenny McKinley, Sidney Rice and other stars of the past 20 years share space with J.D. Fuller, Andrew Provence, Todd Ellis and other greats of the past.
The powers-that-be also replaced the four signs that were on the ramps with signs honoring the four retired numbers in program history, an oversight that long needed correction. George Rogers’ No. 38 hangs in the Southeast corner, with a smaller banner recognizing his 1980 Heisman Trophy, while the corresponding ramp glistens with his rushing accomplishments.
Former coaches Rex Enright and Joe Morrison are honored on the Northeast ramp, for total wins and wins in a season, respectively. All that was missing was a sign for the 1969 ACC championship (I was told it was going to be there, but I didn’t see it. That may change by Saturday) and bowl appearances.
I’m happy to see the athletics department embracing USC’s heritage. Even if there aren’t national championships or Hall of Fame coaches lined up in the annals, it’s nice to show all ages of fans what the Gamecocks can celebrate.
Previous administrations weren’t enthusiastic about signs and banners. That opinion, I’m glad to say, is no longer relevant. I’m told Carolina Stadium will have more recognition of the program’s past (it’s time, now that the baby steps of the first season have been taken) and the approach the football stadium is taking is to get more garnet and black over those slate-like walls.
I would suggest to the athletic department or whoever is in charge of the project to put small signs in the South end zone for bowl appearances. There are at least 14 panels that could be used to post those.
Then put a large golden Heisman cutout beside Rogers’ banner. Hanging photos of great games in the concourses would be nice, but probably a logistical nightmare with all of the narrow corridors.
Whatever they end up doing, it’s pleasing to see what they’ve already done.
Even if Provence’s name will have to be hastily replaced as the all-time sack leader once Eric Norwood (already on the ramp as the career leader for tackles for loss) gets two more sacks.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
“Gonna dress you up.”
------------------ MADONNA
Enterprising journalist that I am (read: snoop), I ducked into one of the Williams-Brice Stadium portals on Tuesday to get a first-hand look at how the stadium’s being presented for its first home game on Saturday.
I am impressed.
Fans will get a treat when they come to Saturday’s game hosting Florida Atlantic. The stadium, long a barren fortress where cement-gray was the main color, has been spruced up. And in the best way – by honoring the team that calls it home.
Each of the four ramps to the stadium has been outfitted with decals describing the all-time statistical category leaders of USC football. Steve Taneyhill, Kenny McKinley, Sidney Rice and other stars of the past 20 years share space with J.D. Fuller, Andrew Provence, Todd Ellis and other greats of the past.
The powers-that-be also replaced the four signs that were on the ramps with signs honoring the four retired numbers in program history, an oversight that long needed correction. George Rogers’ No. 38 hangs in the Southeast corner, with a smaller banner recognizing his 1980 Heisman Trophy, while the corresponding ramp glistens with his rushing accomplishments.
Former coaches Rex Enright and Joe Morrison are honored on the Northeast ramp, for total wins and wins in a season, respectively. All that was missing was a sign for the 1969 ACC championship (I was told it was going to be there, but I didn’t see it. That may change by Saturday) and bowl appearances.
I’m happy to see the athletics department embracing USC’s heritage. Even if there aren’t national championships or Hall of Fame coaches lined up in the annals, it’s nice to show all ages of fans what the Gamecocks can celebrate.
Previous administrations weren’t enthusiastic about signs and banners. That opinion, I’m glad to say, is no longer relevant. I’m told Carolina Stadium will have more recognition of the program’s past (it’s time, now that the baby steps of the first season have been taken) and the approach the football stadium is taking is to get more garnet and black over those slate-like walls.
I would suggest to the athletic department or whoever is in charge of the project to put small signs in the South end zone for bowl appearances. There are at least 14 panels that could be used to post those.
Then put a large golden Heisman cutout beside Rogers’ banner. Hanging photos of great games in the concourses would be nice, but probably a logistical nightmare with all of the narrow corridors.
Whatever they end up doing, it’s pleasing to see what they’ve already done.
Even if Provence’s name will have to be hastily replaced as the all-time sack leader once Eric Norwood (already on the ramp as the career leader for tackles for loss) gets two more sacks.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Previous Blog Entries
David Cloninger. David is a full-time staff writer for GamecockCentral, and covers Gamecock football, men's basketball, baseball and recruiting. He may be reached by email at david(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.