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Ready to Tackle vandy! A battle lost, the war for the SEC East remains within reach
September 11, 2013 • Volume 35 • Issue 24
2 • Spurs & Feathers
September 11, 2013
Maybe it’s time to turn the tables
photo by jenny dilworth
It’s always out there, waiting patiently for the team that looks ahead too much, listens to the radio too much, maybe they took a vow not to watch the college football shows during the week, but after a big win, they couldn’t help it. What could it hurt to watch a few minutes? Everybody else does it. Before they know it, they are distracted, that tight focus loosened up just a bit, not enough to even notice until gameday and then there it is, a meal of humble pie. There is no possible way to determine if that’s what happened to the Gamecocks against Georgia and it really doesn’t matter what the players and coaches might say about it. Maybe they think they were distracted and that’s what cost them in the unrepresentative 41-30 loss, maybe they feel it was just a bad bounce of the ball. The result speaks for itself and has a sour core of humility. Who was that team and why did so many
debilitating things happen, both consequential and otherwise? Jadeveon Clowney experiences what it’s like for the second consecutive game to be a non-factor? A missed extra point? The kick return team takes a little nap on the host team and gives up an onside kick? You and I don’t research such things as the history of onside kicks for an opponent, but coaches do and if they haven’t been, they surely should, Bart Wright at least in this situation where the Bulldogs come Contributing in desperate for a chance Writer to win a game and give their season fresh inspiration. But sometimes, you also just have to give
the opposition credit for doing some things right. From my perspective, despite a slow start, the Gamecocks gathered themselves and got in position to win the game in the second half, but those little details that weren’t tied up cost them a game. Give Georgia credit for punching the ball out of Connor Shaw’s grasp a fraction of a second before his knee touched down, give them credit for a goal line stand, ask why the Carolina secondary was so confused it gave up and 85-yard scoring play in the second half. The point of all this is that these are things that happen to teams playing at less than their best and when it’s over, you find you are just another 1-1 team with a season that could go either way, wondering how to make it right. Because it’s Steve Spurrier, we’ve seen him pull teams out of these predicaments in the past.
The season is now in the balance and here comes a Vanderbilt team that has provided well-known distress for Spurrier over the years. Every time that has happened the Head Ball Coach talked about a little lack of attention to detail here and there, about the frustration of a team that seemed not fully attentive. He has their attention now and there will be no excuses for showing up and planning to win against Vandy. After this, there is no slack, no reason left to do anything but generate a sharp focus and regain the edge we have seen them display in recent years. Georgia has done it, two years ago, after Carolina helped the Bulldogs to an 0-2 start, it wasn’t enough to derail the season, Georgia went to the SEC championship game. Maybe it’s time to turn the tables and the way to do it is to run the table, starting this week.
September 11, 2013
Spurs & Feathers • 3
4 • Spurs & Feathers
Spurs & Feathers
September 11, 2013
What’s Inside? - Table of Contents Get Spurs & Feathers before the mailman puts it in the mailbox
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Mike Kucharski
Walking in Ray Tanner’s shoes....................................5 Hand Writing.....................................................................9 SEC Standings & Football Schedule....................................................10 “Inside the Chart” with Andy Demetra.................11 2013-14 men’s basketball schedule.......................12 Men’s tennis looking for a good grip on the season........................................13
Reporter mike@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 507
Season on deck with softball head coach Beverly Smith.........................14
Ed Girardeau
Former baseball player honored as “Legendary Fan” at UNC game............................16
Contributing Editor ed@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 501
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Inside the football training room...........................17 Petra Ujhelyi profile.....................................................18 Women’s tennis working to serve up successful season..................................19
All of the information in the Spurs & Feathers’ newspaper will be mailed out to Gamecock Club members and subscribers early each week, but if you want the information before the hard copy arrives in your hand you can visit www.spursandfeathers.com. Each edition will be made available the Monday after each football game. Check www.spursandfeathers.com regularly for daily information on all things going on in the Gamecock nation. You can also like us on Facebook at Spurs & Feathers and follow us on Twitter @SpursFeathers.
Serving up a top assistant coach............................27 Upcoming events: Hall of Fame Ceremony, Association of Lettermen Golf Tourney................29 Always Remember 9/11.............................................30
Depth Charts: South Carolina - Vanderbilt ......................................20 A new dimension for Gamecock memorabilia.............................................21 Georgia game recap....................................................22 Compliance Corner......................................................23 Rival fans mingle at Border Bash............................24 Upcoming events: Gamecock Club.......................25
Our goals are still obtainable - by Ed Girardeau..........................................................31
Spurs & Feathers • 5
September 11, 2013
What a Day!
Walking in Ray Tanner’s shoes on gameday by Brian hand bhand@spursandfeathers.com Ray Tanner has been building solid foundations his entire working life. As a college baseball head coach, Tanner worked tirelessly and meticulously every single day to turn South Carolina into one of the top programs in college baseball history. Tanner accomplished just that with the Gamecocks winning back-to-back National Championships in 2010 and 2011. After 25 seasons as a head baseball coach at both South Carolina and NC State, Tanner was afforded the opportunity to take over the reins of the Athletics Department at the University of South Carolina in the summer of 2012. Having spent years as the CEO of the best program in college baseball, the ascension to Athletics Director was a natural step. Since taking charge as Athletics Director of the University of South Carolina on Aug. 2, 2012, Tanner has been continuing to help build a solid foundation for Gamecock athletics that will last well into the future. In his first year at the helm of the Gamecock athletic department alone, South Carolina picked up its highest final football ranking in school history and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, women’s indoor and outdoor track & field, men’s outdoor track & field, equestrian, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, softball and baseball all reached the NCAA postseason. Building the foundation of South Carolina athletics brick-by-brick is what drives Tanner daily and one of the ways that he accomplishes many of his goals is by being involved in a variety of activities on South Carolina football gamedays. Tanner is a true grinder and his efforts on gamedays are not for the faint of heart.
It is decreed that it has to be done, but Tanner, donning a Gamecock garnet polo, decides that it is his best interest at the time not to put the sport coat on; he bids his relatives goodbye and jumps into the golf cart with Belk and Wrenn to begin what will be a whirlwind for the next almost 10 hours. The clock says it is now 2:45 p.m. and Belk speeds away to the first stop, which is to visit vaunted Gamecock tailgating spot, Cocks Corner.
2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Tanner may be the Athletics Director at the University of South Carolina, but make no mistake, Belk from her spot as his golf cart driver runs the show on South Carolina home gamedays. Belk scrupulously has every minute of Tanner’s day planned out before it even starts. A two-time graduate of the University of South Carolina, Belk returned to the athletics department at South Carolina last football season after serving as the Development Coordinator for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Since her return back to South Carolina, she has formed a unique bond with Tanner that is evident from the moment Tanner jumps into the golf cart, particularly as the two banter back-and-forth about what is the right way to get into Cocks Corner from George Rogers Boulevard. Please see Tanner, Page 6
Arrival - 2:45 p.m.
“You don’t want to wear that coat. It is too hot,” Special Assistant to Development Clyde Wrenn tells Tanner from the back of a golf cart as Tanner steps out of his SUV. Flanked by relatives from out of town, Tanner, Wrenn and South Carolina Coordinator of Stewardship and Development Communications Kendall Belk talk back and forth on the merits of whether or not the jacket should be brought with them on the sweltering day.
PHOTOS BY BRIAN HAND Belk and Tanner before Gamecock Walk.
6 • Spurs & Feathers
tanner, continued from page 5 The “right way” is not possible though from the outset as the main gate on the boulevard is not open, leaving the golf cart to have to go around the back side to arrive in Cocks Corner. Cocks Corner was started by former South Carolina football letterman and 1969 ACC championship team member Ken Wheat, but when the golf cart arrives he is not there just yet. Wheat may not be there, but once Tanner gets out of the golf cart he is quickly joined by former Gamecock Punky Holler, who also enjoyed a two-year stint in the National Football League. Tanner is also joined shortly thereafter by former South Carolina kicker Courtney Leavitt, who engages Tanner in talk about Gamecock kicking centered around the fact that freshman Elliot Fry would be handling kicking duties that evening. Tanner holds his own in the conversation with Leavitt and evens knows enough about kicking to relay what he has learned over the years. Still without his coat at this point in time, Tanner talks with a couple other former Gamecock letterman in Ken Ross and Don Bailey before Belk informs him that it is time to move on to the next spot.
PHOTO BY BRIAN HAND Tanner talking with Punky Holler.
3:20 p.m. - 4 p.m.
The golf cart departs Cocks Corner to head down George Rogers Boulevard towards Gamecock Park where as part of Gamecock Club Appreciation Day all of the studentathletes from each of South Carolina’s varsity athletics would be participating in the Gamecock Walk. The golf cart at this point in time still consists of Belk, Tanner and Wrenn and on the way down the boulevard well-wishers yell out “Ray!” as he drives by towards his next stop. Tanner gives instructions to Belk to be careful as they near the massive horde of
September 11, 2013
ing that “I love the pageantry. I love the game. I love Williams-Brice Stadium.” After making these remarks, Tanner checks his phone to see why the Gamecock Walk is behind. He then makes calls to check in on the progress. He is assured everything is copacetic and he goes about working with Belk to figure out what the next stops are, but not before he sends out a tweet. Proudly he then denotes he does his own tweets and points out that if anyone “is keeping count, I am at 19,000 followers.” The Gamecock student-athletes still a couple minutes away, a fan jokingly asks Tanner that if on the hottest day of the year it was his idea to have a 6 p.m. kickoff PHOTO BY BRIAN HAND Tanner shakes his head no, but in his own The golf cart outside of the Cockabooses. fashion yells across, “unless you like it!” The Gamecock Walk begins almost immeGamecocks on the Williams-Brice Stadium diately after the comment and after watching grounds, but she seems to have the situation the numerous Gamecock student-athletes more than under control. walk down The Garnet Way, Tanner and Once they arrive at the gates of Gamecock Belk head back to the golf cart where Wrenn Park, the golf cart runs into – or rather preis sitting and talking to Gamecock fans. It is tends to run into – the golf cart of 1980 Heis- at this point, Wrenn departs and South Caroman Winner George Rogers, who once notic- lina Senior Associate Athletics Director for ing it was Tanner’s cart flashes his trademark Development and the Gamecock Club Jeff smile that could brighten anyone’s day. Crane joins the group for the next stretch. Tanner and Rogers exchange hugs and quick quips as the golf cart then manages its way into Gamecock Park, where the next As the new trio heads to the next spot, Tanpeople they run into are Gamecock football ner makes it a point to stop by the concert legend Ryan Brewer and his wife, Liz Price Brewer, who was a volleyball student-athlete stage and talk quickly with Davis. The quick meeting between the Athletics at South Carolina. While reaching out to Ryan and Liz Brewer, Director and the singer-songwriter leads to the next spot where Tanner is talking with Tanner is stopped by a grouping of Gamepeople in the Premium North tailgating area. cock female students who want their picture At a perfect spot underneath the trees, one taken with the Athletics Director. The picture is a sign of things to come as even the Brew- of the first people at the area Tanner comes in contact with is former Gamecock great and ers make sure to take their picture with the NFL player Corey Miller. two-time National Championship baseball At the tailgate spot of Ethan and Shannon coach. Nord, Tanner talks with numerous people inAfter the picture with the Brewers, Tanner cluding individuals tailgating with and from heads over to join the fans at the Gamecock the Mungo Company. Walk where he takes numerous pictures beBefore leaving he notices South Carolina fore settling in to watch the walk. graduate and Hootie & the Blowfish lead With Nashville singer-songwriter and Gamecock alum Patrick Davis playing in the guitarist Mark Bryan. The two talk about the background, Tanner gets lots of well wishes and even one 30-35-year-old-man tells him point blank, “I love you, man.” Standing right behind Tanner, Henry Thomas from Spartanburg, S.C. shortly thereafter even asks if that really is Ray Tanner in front of him. He cannot believe that he would be right there with everyone watching the Gamecock Walk. “I am a true fan of the man,” Thomas points out. With all of his tremendous support staff doing all that they can to make the walk and everything else on gameday successful, Tanner points out while waiting for the Gamecock Walk to begin that “it doesn’t get any better than this.” PHOTO BY BRIAN HAND Tanner continues to express his just overall love for South Carolina gameday by remark- Tanner talks with Patrick Davis on stage.
southern music scene before Belk lets Tanner know it is time to move on to the next spot, which is in the same general area, but on the other side of Premium North.
4:25 p.m. - 4:40 p.m.
Tanner begins his next stop by talking with Bill and Lou Kennedy. He then makes his way through the tailgating area where he is challenged to a game of cornhole, but with so much on the docket it is not the right time. Before heading over to his next stop, Tanner has a great interaction with a baby that he notices. Mentioning how beautiful the baby is, Tanner asks if he can hold her? The baby does not seem to want it to happen though. Tanner keeps trying, but after the fourth time of the baby turning away, he realizes it is a lost cause. There is more to the story at the end of the day, as the mother of the baby, Jessica Dudley, concedes it may be genetics since the baby, Harper Dudley, is the daughter of two Georgia alums.
4 p.m. - 4:25 p.m.
PHOTO BY BRIAN HAND Tanner and the Dudleys having fun.
4:40 p.m. - 5:10 p.m.
Tanner knows it is about time to get into the stadium, but before departing for WilliamsBrice Stadium, he makes it a point to stop by and talk with many of the Board of Trustees’ members in the Premium North tailgating area. While in the area he runs into an 18-yearold that relays to him that she chose to come to South Carolina because of football. He acknowledges the statement, remarking happily once again, “there is nothing like it.” It is now time to head towards the stadium and Tanner once again reminds Belk to be careful navigating the treacherous stretch that includes crossing the street to the stadium an hour before kickoff. The trek is actually not that bad with Belk musing once they get across the street, “that
Spurs & Feathers • 7
September 11, 2013
is the easiest it has ever been.” Tanner wants to make a couple more stops before heading in the stadium with the first stop being to talk with Ted and Charles Conrad, who are the financial consultants and CPAs to the Dodie Anderson Academic Enrichment Center namesake. At the spot where they are congregated they are joined by USC Upstate head men’s basketball coach and former Gamecock men’s basketball assistant coach Eddie Payne. Tanner’s final stop before heading into the stadium has him entering the Cockaboose of Nat Hardwick. Tanner talks with everyone in the Cockaboose before Hardwick hands him a planned gift check and simply says, “thanks for all that you are doing.”
ing closer and closer to gametime, Tanner takes every moment with each individual or grouping of people to listen to what they have to say. His patience is uncanny. It is almost gametime. Tanner takes part in all his normal pregame responsibilities on the field before taking in “2001.” Shortly after kickoff he then rushes with Belk and a security officer through the bowels of the stadium before getting on an elevator to head to his Athletics Director’s Suite.
Kickoff - 6 p.m.
Tanner arrives in his suite a couple minutes after kickoff and then quickly realizes that due to the transit from the field to the suite he missed the 65-yard touchdown pass from Connor Shaw to Shaq Roland for an early 7-0 Gamecock advantage. Tanner cannot really stop to think about it though as pretty much upon the second of his arrival, he starts making his way around the room to talk with everyone in the suite. The suite holds 24 people according to Assistant to the Athletics Director Kristi Davis. There are different people in the suite for every home game, but Tanner is not thinking about that as he goes around the room handpicked by the development office. It is a great view in the suite, but Tanner for the most part is entertaining and other than taking quick glances at the field and at the television screen he is unable to take in the Tanner finally walks into Williams-Brice game for extended periods of time. Stadium at 5:10 p.m. His arrival into the Tanner is joined in the suite by his wife, stadium begins a gauntlet of talking with Karen, who is a proud University of South Gamecock coaches, players and fans. Carolina graduate. The two make an imIt also means taking more pictures with pressive team as both mix in perfectly with people than most people take in an entire everyone in the suite. year. It does not bother him. He gladly acIn fact, watching Tanner is an exercise in cepts every picture request. It is part of the watching someone who knows how to make job and he excels in the area. every minute matter. Tanner takes every secPHOTO BY BRIAN HAND ond to politick and get in good words about With the Gamecock football team warming Tanner escorted to his suite after kickoff. the Gamecocks to whoever he may be talkup in the background and the clock inch-
5:10 p.m.- 6 p.m.
PHOTO BY BRIAN HAND Tanner wishing Kelcy Quarles good luck. ing to at that point in time. The ever humble Gamecock Athletics Director even goes out of his way to thank the waiter in the suite for all his efforts as early as the first quarter.
10 minutes left in the First Half Right after what would prove to be North Please see Tanner, Page 8
8 • Spurs & Feathers
September 11, 2013
tanner, continued from page 7
It is the first time that Tanner has not worn a coat and tie at a football game since taking Carolina’s only touchdown of the day, Tanner over as Athletics Director. He says that he is escorted by Belk and security makes his way going to let the weather dictate whether or back down to field level to get ready for the not he wears that type of attire. halftime festivities, which included GameTanner then turned to Belk and asked if he cock Club Appreciation Day. looked “dapper?” Just after leaving the suite, Tanner notes that “his puppies are barking” in reference to what would end up being miles of walking Always looking to make everything work he had to endure over the course of the day. Still, Tanner points out in reference to loving as well as possible, Tanner heads into the halftime festivities asking if “everybody was his job, “this is a walk in the park, isn’t it?” “Most people think I sit up there (AD Suite) good?” Noticing that Joe Rice is about to head out with umbrella drinks. There are no umbrella on to the field barefooted, Tanner muses, drinks in this job,” Tanner said. “you all know ‘Shoeless Joe Jackson,’ well, Upon his arrival on the field, Tanner does this is ‘Shoeless Joe Rice.’” pretty much what he did prior to the game, After the remark, Tanner goes about his aswhich is mingle with Gamecock supporters lucky enough to be field level. He also takes signment during the Gamecock Club Appreciation Day halftime ceremony. He purposecues from his game managers and Belk on fully and gladly walks up to everyone on the where he needs to be at any given time. field and genuinely thanks them for everyHolding his coat in anticipation of finally thing that they do for Gamecock athletics. having to put it on, Tanner holds court with After the ceremony is over, Tanner, Belk Joe and Lisa Rice and Ann E. Ervin and Tucker Ervin right before they head out on to and a security officer once again set about making the trek back up through the stadium the field for recognition during halftime. to the Athletics Director’s Suite. Tanner shortly thereafter looks up from But before he makes his way to the suite he talking with one of his gameday managers to see former Gamecock football head coach notices that an ESPN staffer needs help moving a chair from the halftime setup that they Lou Holtz standing to his left. PHOTO BY BRIAN HAND utilized. Tanner helps move the chair away The two former colleagues share quick and then continues his walk back to the suite. Tanner poses for a picture with Lou Holtz and Beth Bouknight just before halftime. thoughts before they are both asked repeatedly if they could have their picture taken with them. Holtz leaves a short time later to get ready Just prior to making it into the suite, Karen for his halftime appearance on ESPN. It is stops Tanner and says she is leaving to put at this point in time that Tanner finally puts on his sports coat with 30 seconds left in the their three children into bed. Everybody else goes into the suite, leaving the two with what second quarter.
Halftime
Third Quarter
PHOTO BY ALLEN SHARPE Tanner on field for the halftime festivities in the Gamecock win over North Carolina.
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September 11, 2013
Hand Writing
will really be the only two private minutes of the day for Tanner. Tanner makes his way into the box shortly thereafter and the first thing he does is check how everyone is doing when he arrives in the suite. He then takes his jacket off and places it in a closet in the suite. With seemingly endless vigor, Tanner continues to utilize what can only be described as a gift in the third quarter with those in the box. Tanner spends a great deal of his time upon his return talking with president of ESPN, Inc. John Skipper., who is joined on the evening in the box by 1999 University of South Carolina graduate and current Vice President of College Sports Programming at ESPN, Rosalyn Durant. In a world in which the role of the Athletics Director has changed in numerous ways, Tanner understands that every little bit counts. Whether he knew it or not prior to the job opening up last year, he was born for the role of Athletics Director at South Carolina. Despite being perfectly suited for the gig, Tanner understands completely that it is not just him that has to put in a bevy of hours and hard work to make everything happen. As any good coach knows, it is all about the team and Tanner has one of the best in the country in the South Carolina athletic department.
Fourth Quarter/ Delay
As we were walking through the bowels of Williams-Brice Stadium shortly after the halftime festivities of the Gamecock season-opening victory over North Carolina, second-year Athletics Director Ray Tanner turned to me and told me that I needed a disclaimer in the story about his efforts on gameday. The disclaimer would be that following him around that day was the hardest I have ever had to work. I told him that I would be lying, but, in fact, it is pretty close. Over the course of my working life whether it be my time in professional soccer, professional baseball, the newspaper, college athletics or even Internet/television production I have done a little bit of everything for my livelihood. In fact, one of my “favorite” things that I have done has to be doing a football/basketball doubleheader that led to 30 straight hours of work at one of my previous jobs. Tanner’s assertion and the point from my background above give just a small glimpse into what it is like to work in the field of college athletics. It really for the most part has become a 24/7 job. Every little thing matters when you are working to place whatever organization you are working for in the best light plausible. Tanner understands this thought process wholeheartedly and everything he does is for the greater good of the University of South Carolina. I had the absolute honor of following him around for almost 10 hours and I can as-
sure you that he goes above and beyond. In fact, as Gamecock Club Executive Director Patrick McFarland eloquently notes, “he (Tanner) is the same person to Gamecock fans whether you give thousands or you are a Century Club member.” That to me speaks volumes to the type of man that we have leading Gamecock athletics. Seeing me frantically scribbling what became 32 pages of notes from following him during the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 29, Tanner prior to the halftime festivities noted to me, “you have to be getting lots of great stuff. You probably could write a book.” The story featured in this week’s Spurs & Feathers ended up being smore than 3,500 words, but he is right. There is so much more that I could have written about. The man is plain and simple a flat out worker. I talked about it in the story, but Tanner takes every opportunity as if it is a golden one. His yeoman-like efforts from the top are something that should be cherished by all Gamecocks. South Carolina is lucky to have Coach Tanner. The story on his grind on football gamedays is exhaustive, but I can assure you it is worth your time. Hope you enjoy the exclusive look into what may not have been my hardest day as a worker, but most definitely was my hardest day in trying to obtain one particular story.
Things were going along swimmingly in the fourth quarter and in the Athletics Director’s PHOTO BY BRIAN HAND suite until with 8:20 left in the game a lightning Tanner on the “batphone” during delay. delay suspended things. Already completely abreast of the situation, Tanner quickly explained to everyone in the room exactly what was going on before springAfter resumption of play and after once again ing into action to figure out when – and if – the thanking the waiter, Tanner then headed back final minutes of the contest would be played. down with about five minutes left on the game Tanner constantly was taking calls in the suite clock to be able to visit with the football team in on what he called the “batphone” to keep him the locker room after their victory over the Tar aware of what was going on at the time. His cell Heels. phone was also an extension of his hand before the deluge of rain came at Williams-Brice Stadium. While walking down to the locker room with Never one to rest on his laurels, once the Deputy Athletics Director Charles Waddell, heavy downpour came, Tanner took the opportunity to join Elaine Arnold, South Carolina Tanner once again puts back on his sport coat. South Carolina’s season opener being on a Assistant Director of Athletics Development – Major Gifts, in Champions Club South to talk Thursday was different in many ways as Tanner still put in a long day at the office before headwith Gamecock donors and former lettermen. ing to Williams-Brice Stadium to start his odysAfter about 15 minutes in Champions Club sey at 2:45 p.m. South, Tanner returned to the suite with the In fact, Tanner’s day commenced at 8 a.m. on heavy downpour still in full swing. He then even helped close the windows to the suite with Thursday, Aug. 29 with a meeting with Yolanda and Vernon Smith, the parents of former Gamethe staff. cock great and current San Francisco 49er MarThe rain/lightning delay gave Tanner the cus Lattimore. unique opportunity to talk with his relatives By the conclusion of the day, that early mornand make the calls needed during the break. He ing meeting surely seemed like a long time ago. even asked on one call, “is Spurrier hanging After taking in the locker room celebration, in?” Tanner then made his way to the press room to Shortly thereafter, Tanner’s final call on the PHOTO BY BRIAN HAND “batphone” revealed that things would get back hear the postgame comments. The view from the Athletics Director’s Suite during South Carolina’s season opener. It was now almost midnight. What a day. going at 10:30 p.m.
Postgame
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South Carolina Gamecocks
2013
Standings Team
SEC
Pct. Overall
Pct. Home Away Neutral Streak
football Schedule 08/29/13..... vs. North Carolina ............Columbia, S.C. ............W, 27-10
Eastern Georgia
1 - 0
1.000
1 - 1
.500
1-0
0-1
0-0
W1
Tennessee
0 - 0
.000
2 - 0
1.000
2-0
0-0
0-0
W2
Missouri
0 - 0
.000
2 - 0
1.000
2-0
0-0
0-0
W2
Florida
0 - 0
.000
1 - 1
.500
1-0
0-1
0-0
L1
09/28/13 .... at UCF..............................Orlando, Fla. ....................... TBA
Kentucky
0 - 0
.000
1 - 1
.500
1-0
0-0
0-1
W1
South Carolina 0 - 1
.000
1 - 1
.500
1-0
0-1
0-0
L1
10/05/13 .... vs. Kentucky.....................Columbia, S.C. ................... TBA
Vanderbilt
.000
1 - 1
.500
1-1
0-0
0-0
W1
0 - 1
09/07/13 .... at #11 Georgia..................Athens, Ga. ..................L, 41-30 09/14/13 .... vs. Vanderbilt....................Columbia, S.C. ................ 7 p.m.
10/12/13 .... at Arkansas.......................Fayetteville, Ark. ................. TBA 10/19/13 .... at Tennessee....................Knoxville, Tenn. .................. TBA
Western Ole Miss
1 - 0
1.000
2 - 0
1.000
1-0
1-0
0-0
W2
Alabama
0 - 0
.000
1 - 0
1.000
0-0
0-0
1-0
W1
Arkansas
0 - 0
.000
2 - 0
1.000
2-0
0-0
0-0
W2
Auburn
0 - 0
.000
2 - 0
1.000
2-0
0-0
0-0
W2
11/16/13 ..... vs. Florida.........................Columbia, S.C. ................... TBA
LSU
0 - 0
.000
2 - 0
1.000
1-0
0-0
1-0
W2
Texas A&M
0 - 0
.000
2 - 0
1.000
2-0
0-0
0-0
W2
11/23/13 ..... vs. Coastal Carolina..........Columbia, S.C. ................... TBA
Mississippi St.
0 - 0
.000
1 - 1
.500
1-0
0-1
0-0
W1
10/26/13 .... at Missouri........................Columbia, Mo. .................... TBA 11/02/13 ..... vs. Mississippi State.........Columbia, S.C. ................... TBA
11/30/13 ..... vs. Clemson......................Columbia, S.C. ................... TBA
September 11, 2013
by andy demetra Contributing Writer
Elite Eight to NIT champion “I’d take classes early in a year ago, but return forthe morning, then I’d go to ward Cory Jefferson and (2) work. I’d have a full-time Three NCAA Tournament teams. The deguard Brady Heslip, one job. I’d leave that job, and go fending NIT champions. Two other squads of the nation’s most feared to the gym, and be engaged that reached their conference title games, and three-point threats. Martin in basketball practice,” Marreturn most of their scoring. knows Heslip well, and tin said. Frank Martin does not believe in schednot just from their days in He also has another atuling soft. Even with a team that consists the Big 12: Heslip scored a tachment to FIU: he helped of seven freshmen and three sophomores, team-high 20 points to lead recommend Norfolk State’s Martin wanted an ambitious non-conference Team Canada to a victory Anthony Evans for the job. schedule to prepare his team for SEC play. over Jefferson and Team Evans (9) thanked Martin “I want guys that want to play in big-time USA at the 2013 World at his introductory press games,” the Gamecocks’ second-year coach University Games. Martin conference last Spring. said. (3) served as an assistant Carolina then heads to Andy Demetra Martin’s schedule, unveiled on Twitter coach for Team USA. Stillwater, Okla., Dec. 6 for Contributing Writer Wednesday, Sept. 4, also offers an array of Martin’s K-State teams its (10) first game against standout players, historical footnotes and sta- also played several knockOklahoma State since tistical novelties. For a curious broadcaster, down drag-outs against 1975. The Cowboys, 24-9 it’s practically heaven. the Bears at the Ferrell Center. Their three a year ago, feature überguard (11) Marcus To prepare you, I’ve written a primer congames were separated (4) by a combined 9 Smart, a surefire NBA lottery pick who taining my 25 favorite tidbits about South points, with the Wildcats winning twice. opted to return for his sophomore season. Carolina’s non-conference schedule. Keep it Carolina’s annual tussle with Clemson Smart averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, in your wallet and consult it whenever you moves up two weeks to Nov. 17, making it 4.2 assists and 3.0 steals per game last year want to dazzle your friends with esoteric the (5) earliest the Gamecocks and Tigers en route to earning (12) Sporting News Nafacts about the Gamecocks. have ever met. It’s also the (6) earliest that tional Freshman of the Year honors. The season tips off Nov. 9 with a home Carolina has faced Clemson on the schedMartin said his K-State staff was the first date against Longwood, a team Carolina last ule - Game #3 - since 1988. I like that the high-major program to seriously recruit faced in 2010. The Lancers fielded one of the matchup serves as an enhancer to football, Smart out of Flower Mound, Tex. “He is the youngest teams in Division I last year, a man- rather than an afterthought to it. ultimate competitor. He plays the game with tle the Gamecocks should inherit this year. For the first time ever, Martin (7) faces his a tenacity, with a toughness, every single Carolina’s projected (1) 0.72 years of experi- alma mater when Florida International visits day,” Martin said of the 6-foot-4, 225-pound ence per player would’ve ranked 343rd out Colonial Life Arena Nov. 24. Martin gradu- Smart. of 347 teams last year. ated with a degree in Physical Education The Gamecocks will need to overcome Carolina makes its first of two trips to Big from FIU in 1993, but he received his basket- more than Smart, though: OSU has only lost 12 country the following week, when it faces ball education at Miami Senior High School, (13) three regular-season non-conference Baylor (and its highlighter-colored uniforms) where he (8) moonlighted as junior varsity games at Gallagher-Iba Arena since 1987. Nov. 12. The Bears dropped from NCAA head coach while finishing his studies. After an 11-day exam break, a tricky op-
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ponent awaits the Gamecocks Dec. 17 when they play Manhattan in Columbia. Don’t let Manhattan’s 14-18 record fool you – the Jaspers return four starters from a team that reached the MAAC championship game, and they also welcome back combo guard (14) George Beamon, a 19 point-per-game scorer as a sophomore who missed most of last year with an ankle injury. Fun fact: Manhattan College is actually (15) located in the Bronx. After a tip with USC Upstate Dec. 19 – featuring First Team All-Namer (16) Babatunde Olumuyiwa -- the Gamecocks then head to the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu, marking their (17) first trip to Hawaii since 2001. (The tournament also acts as a lovely counterpoint to the road trip to Starkville). Opening opponent St. Mary’s (Calif.) went 28-7 last year, and the Gaels have finished in the (18) top-30 in offensive efficiency each of the last four seasons. Randy Bennett’s team will be re-tooled, having lost all-time leading scorer Matthew Dellavedova to graduation, but the team that perpetually threatens Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference should give Carolina a tough test. After two more games in Hawaii – including its (19) first-ever Christmas Day game – Carolina returns home for a Dec. 28 tilt against reigning MAC Champion Akron. The Zips’ 19-game winning streak was the (20) longest in college basketball last year, and paced them to a 26-7 record. Zips head coach Keith Dambrot has another claim to Please see Chart, Page 18
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September 11, 2013
South Carolina Gamecocks
2013 - 2014 Men’s Basketball Schedule 11/03/13 ........USC Aiken (exhibition).... Columbia, S.C. ..................... TBA 11/09/13 ........vs. Longwood .................... Columbia, S.C. ..................... TBA ESPN 24-Hour Hoops Marathon 11/12/13 ......... at Baylor ................................ Waco, Texas ...........................3 p.m. 11/17/13 ......... at Clemson . .......................... Clemson, S.C. ...........................TBA 11/24/13 ........vs. Florida International .. Columbia, S.C. ..................... TBA Big 12/SEC Challenge 12/06/13 ......... at Oklahoma State ............... Stillwater, Okla. ........................TBA 12/17/13 ........vs. Manhattan ................... Columbia, S.C. ..................... TBA 12/19/13 ........vs. USC Upstate ................ Columbia, S.C. ..................... TBA Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic 12/22/13 ......... vs. Saint Mary’s .................... Honolulu, HI ....................... 12 a.m. 12/23/13 ......... TBA ....................................... Honolulu, HI ............................TBA 12/25/13 ......... TBA ....................................... Honolulu, HI ............................TBA 12/28/13 ........vs. Akron ........................... Columbia, S.C. ...................4 p.m. 12/30/13 ........vs. Marshall ....................... Columbia, S.C. ..................... TBA 01/03/14 ........vs. South Carolina State ... Columbia, S.C. ..................... TBA 01/08/14 ......... at Florida*.............................. Gainesville, Fla. .....................7 p.m. 01/11/14 ........vs. LSU*............................. Columbia, S.C. ..............1:30 p.m. 01/15/14 ......... at Texas A&M*...................... College Station, Texas . .........8 p.m. 01/18/14 ........vs. Ole Miss*...................... Columbia, S.C. ..............4:30 p.m. 01/22/14 ......... at Georgia*............................. Athens, Ga. ............................8 p.m. 01/25/14 ......... at Missouri*........................... Columbia, Mo. . .....................4 p.m. 01/29/14 ........vs. Texas A&M*................. Columbia, S.C. ...................7 p.m. 02/01/14 ......... at Ole Miss*........................... Oxford, Miss. ....................1:30 p.m. 02/05/14 ........vs. Auburn*........................ Columbia, S.C. ...................7 p.m. 02/08/14 ......... at Tennessee*......................... Knoxville, Tenn. ....................3 p.m. 02/12/14 ........vs. Vanderbilt*................... Columbia, S.C. ...................8 p.m. 02/15/14 ........vs. Alabama*...................... Columbia, S.C. ...................4 p.m. 02/19/14 ......... at Arkansas*.......................... Fayetteville, Ark. ...................9 p.m. 02/22/14 ........vs. Georgia*....................... Columbia, S.C. ..............1:30 p.m. 02/26/14 ......... at Auburn*............................. Auburn, Ala. ..........................9 p.m. 03/01/14 ........vs. Kentucky* .................... Columbia, S.C. ...................6 p.m. 03/04/14 ........vs. Florida*........................ Columbia, S.C. ...................7 p.m. 03/08/14 ......... at Mississippi State*.............. Starkville, Miss. .....................4 p.m. * denotes SEC games................................................... Home games listed in bold
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September 11, 2013
Men’s tennis looking for a good grip on the season by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com South Carolina men’s tennis head coach Josh Goffi has talked about the process of changing the culture in the program, and heading into his fourth year the successes have led to the team committing more than ever. Goffi has seen the commitment throughout the summer with players competing in many tournaments, including Chip Cox and Kyle Koch winning the doubles title at the ITA National Collegiate Summer Championships. The physical condition in which the players returned to campus is also a testament to how hard they worked over the summer, something that became evident in the two weeks of “Morning Madness.” These are intense strength and conditioning sessions beginning at 6 a.m. each day, and the team has approached them with enthusiasm. “Getting the guys to commit to playing a lot over the summer has been a goal of ours, and this last summer they did,” Goffi said. “The culture has been set. We worked through a lot of it last year. I think it’s almost where we need to be, it’s about where we want it … they showed some serious character out there this
year. form … we’ve had a dif“The morning sessions ferent pressure every year, have not been easy. They’ve and it’s nothing new for our actually been more inteam to rise to the occasion. tense than they were last I expect them to do that, year, and these guys are and there is no doubt in my just crushing them. So mind that they will,” Goffi that’s something for us as added. coaches; we see these guys The freshmen coming inare ready,” Goffi expanded. to the program have blend“They took the challenge, ed well with the returning and they conquered it for roster, and they are an sure.” accomplished class that has Goffi said that the team come in with great physical knows that the success condition. He noted they Photo by Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA came in with no baggage from last year, finishing ranked in the top-20 nation- Tsvetan Mihov was an All-Ameri- and have jumped into the can last year for the Gamecocks. program with vigor. ally and participating in the NCAA Tournament, Goffi said that he uses the will lead to a target on their fall period to develop playbacks from other teams. ers, even having to take some players back“For the first time we’re not young … now ward before they can move forward. They it’s kind of that time; we have to show up. It’s work on a lot of technical and physical work in a much different pressure this year than we’ve order to have those facets ready for the spring, ever felt before,” Goffi said. “We have guys and the fall competitions are really just tests to that have reached their levels, and they have give benchmarks on the development level. proved that they raised their level over the The student-athletes will go on a teamsummer. building retreat to come up with goals for the “The team is there, and now we just need to season, but Goffi said the focus is more on
how and who they play rather than on rankings. “As far as having another year like we did last year, it’s realistic for sure. It will be a much different year though,” Goffi said. “There will be a lot of close wins that we think we should get, and we will be satisfied with them rather than elated. That’s my job as a coach to prepare them that way.” Goffi noted that playing in the SEC matches the team against the best competition in the country, pointing to the fact that the Gamecocks finished ninth in the SEC but 18th in the country last year. That harsh schedule for competition will make the team improve throughout the year, and Goffi said that is why the players came to play at South Carolina. He said there is never an easy weekend, and you always have to prove yourself throughout the season. Goffi also discussed the importance of the Carolina Tennis Center facilities and the atmosphere that this can provide. “Having people up in the stands makes a huge difference. It feeds them energy nonstop,” Goffi said. “Some of our biggest wins last year we had packed stands, so the correlation is there. It’s not a coincidence whatsoever.”
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September 11, 2013
photo by allen sharpe
Carolina softball is heading in the right direction and coming off a 30-plus win season and a regional final appearance much is expected of the Gamecocks in the upcoming year.
Season on deck with softball head coach Beverly Smith by Mike Kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
jump we made at the end of the season, to fight our way into the SEC Tournament and make it to NCAA Regional Finals, is a Coming off a 30-plus win season and a huge jump. trip to the championship round of the Aus“So for me, all of our returners set the tin Regional in the NCAA Tournament, bar. We raised the standard … now all the Gamecocks will look to keep the prothese returners coming back and the freshgram on the upswing this season. men coming in are coming with the bar at South Carolina is looking to continue a different level. That’s the part that I’m raising the program’s level to pack the really excited about,” Smith continued. Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham The Gamecocks will need to replace Field this season. All-American Samie Garcia who graduHead coach Beverly Smith is excited to ated, but the fact the team learned how to have the student-athletes back on campus fight and win should ease the transition because the fall season is probably the according to Smith. A little over a week most important time of year for the team. into workouts, the players are still getting “It’s really the time that we have the to know each other in some cases. There opportunity to work with the players a is a sense of excitement about the talent lot more individually, so right now we’re and pedigree of the players on the roster, getting in individual workouts,” Smith including the freshmen class. Smith said explained. “Right now we’re getting a lot the players are looking forward to spendof fundamental work in with the kids and ing time together on the field, and that is getting to know them … we’ve got a lot of the way that they will get to know one hard work to do and our work really takes another. place in the fall.” The offense should be a strength of the The roster includes eight freshmen and a team, as five of the top six hitters from transfer to go along with the returners, and last season’s squad return. Smith said that those returners bring back the great expe- there should be power for the offense, inrience from last season. cluding some that has been added to the “The most exciting thing for me is where roster, and the hitters should be tough outs we’re starting from,” Smith said. “That at the plate.
“I think there is no question that we’re going to rely on our offense. We’re going to have to outscore our opponents,” Smith said. “In this league we simply have to outscore people, but I think we have the offense to do it. “I’ve really been impressed with the strides that our hitters have made every year, and I am happy with the kids that are returning,” Smith added. The pitching does not have much experience outside of Julie Sarratt, but Smith is confident that Sarratt will have a complementary pitcher with an opposite style. Sarratt will keep the hitters off balance, and the pitchers understand that they will have to carry the load. Smith said she is confident that they will do a better job on the mound this year of keeping the scores down. The Gamecocks will need to be clicking offensively on the mound to get through the grind that is playing in the SEC. Smith noted that the defending national champion from the previous year finished eighth in the SEC last season, and the ninth team in the conference was the number 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament. “It is just war. You don’t get to take an inning off, you don’t get to take a pitch off because that could be the difference in the
ballgame,” Smith explained. “We’ve got 24 SEC games and every one of them you roll into, chances are you’re playing a top10 opponent, just about everybody is in the top-25.” As hard as it is to compete in this conference, Smith said the exciting part is competing on the biggest stage in the country. The players want to play at the highest level, and the competition prepares the team for the NCAA Tournament. Smith is excited to host the SEC Tournament as a showcase for the new facility, and she is happy to have everything that the student-athletes need to be successful on site. She also said that the experience should be great for the fans with an excellent gameday atmosphere, and the team hopes to have fan support in the new stadium. The season ticket total tripled last year, but Smith said she would like to see it continue to grow until they can sell out the stadium for every game. “The goal for the team is to continue to raise the bar going forward. I think the team we’re putting on the field is one the fans can be excited about,” Smith said. “We received top-25 votes at the end of the year last season, and we want to do that and be there competing at the top of the SEC.”
September 11, 2013
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September 11, 2013
photo by allen sharpe
Pictured with Pete Stokes (right) is his wife, Ellen (center) and South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner. Stokes has been a member of the Gamecock Club for 45 years.
Former baseball player honored as ‘Legendary Fan’ by Mike Kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
that he was unable to play for the Gamecocks. Frank McGuire helped get Grosso a scholarship to play at Louisville, but he Pete Stokes is a long-time Gamecock never played a minute for South Carolina. who has served South Carolina Athletics “Duke claimed that they had violated both on and off the field, and he was hon- some recruiting rule and the ACC would ored for his years of commitment and ser- not let him play at South Carolina … vice by being named the “Legendary Fan” because Duke had blown the whistle on at the North Carolina football game. McGuire and Duke had to come to town, Stokes was a three-year letterwinner for there was really bad blood between the the Gamecocks on the baseball diamond two schools,” Stokes said. in the late 1950s. He earned letters in “They asked if we would bring some 1956, ‘57 and ‘58 playing for Ted PetosSLED agents down and help with the key and Joe Grugan. His playing time was security for that particular ballgame. I highlighted by some great memories, indid, and we went down there and kept cluding the camaraderie among the play- order for them,” Stokes continued. “After ers and times on the field. that, we began to bring agents down to sit “One of the biggest memories was when behind the visiting team to provide them we were playing in Clemson and Ted with security. That was one of the first Petoskey was my coach. I’m a little felinvolvements there.” low, and he had me bat fourth. During Following an incident before a Clemson that ball game I hit one out of the park, so football game involving students dressed that was one of the highlights of my cain orange uniforms pretending to milk reer,” Stokes recalled. cows that caused an uproar, Stokes was His contributions on the diamond are asked if he could provide SLED agents at only minor when adding up all his service football games as well. to South Carolina Athletics. Stokes is a “I told them sure, and they bought us 80 former South Carolina Law Enforcement red sport coats. That’s how we policed the Division (SLED) agent, and he has used football games from then on, and that’s his role in the law enforcement field to how it developed and expanded from benefit the Gamecocks in multiple ways. there,” Stokes explained. Starting when Paul Dietzel was the AthStokes was on hand to help with crowd letics Director in the 1960s, Stokes began control and break up some of the fights getting other law enforcement officers to that happened on the basketball court. come serve as security for the Gamecock He and the SLED agents helped to calm basketball games. He noted that this bethings down after fights with Maryland gan surrounding the Mike Grosso case. and Marquette in the Coliseum. Stokes His recruitment led to the NCAA ruling said there were no police working games
at that time, and they were the only ones who were able to diffuse and handle the situation. “We had 10 agents that were working the game with the red coats on, and whenever the fight started our SLED agents went out there to help calm it down,” Stokes said of the Maryland brawl. “Some of the national media thought it was spectators, but it wasn’t. It was plainclothes police officers.” Stokes was a problem-solver and intermediary between Athletics and law enforcement on many occasions. During the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, he was called on to help the football team get around a city-wide curfew on a trip to WInston-Salem to take on Wake Forest. “On Friday night, I got a call from Ralph Floyd asking if I could help them get the team around because they couldn’t touch base with anybody about getting to go somewhere. So I went up to the airport, got on the university’s plane and went up there,” Stokes said. “I met with the local authorities and we were able to work out where the football team got to a movie and they escorted us to where we went to go eat.” Stokes assisted South Carolina Athletics a number of times, but he has not slowed down since retiring in 1998. When Lou Holtz came to South Carolina, he worked with then-AD Mike McGee to set up a group that was able to help put on a “Lunch with Lou.” This work led to the beginning of the University Ambassadors, and they did
much more than just put on “Lunch with Lou.” They also assist with the crowds at regional baseball games, track meets and conference golf tournaments, even working as caddies. The Ambassadors also help with the ticket office for football bowl games, and they still serve this purpose now. Stokes has enjoyed many of his duties serving the Gamecocks, but one of his favorite harkens him back to the baseball diamond. “One of the things that I’ve enjoyed most is at Carolina Stadium, working in the area behind home plate reserved for the big donors … down in that area there are usually two or three Ambassadors working every game,” Stokes said. “I enjoy that because it puts us down there near the dugout, and you can see the coaches and what’s going on.” Stokes still loves to be around the program, saying that his favorite sport is whatever is in season. He is also excited about being involved with the Gamecocks, saying that it is a great time for the program with where Athletics is now. Because of all of Stokes work and assistance with Athletics, he truly is deserving of the “Legendary Fan” distinction. Stokes said that he and his family truly enjoyed being honored at the game. “Before I wondered what it was going to be like, and everyone made it such a good occasion, so being the ‘Legendary Fan’ was bigger than I thought it was going to be. I really enjoyed it, and my family did too,” Stokes said.
September 11, 2013
Spurs & Feathers • 17
Inside the football training room with the head football athletic trainer by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
during a game. the week, and that way we keep them ahead Another important aspect of the job for of the curve … that plays a big part of it in the training staff is keeping the players preparing for that heat,” Haggard explained. The athletic training staff for South Caro- hydrated and cool during the heat that can The other important part of dealing with lina football is busy on gamedays, especial- come from playing in August and Septem- the heat is keeping the players cool on ly when working to battle the early-season ber. Battling these conditions is important game day, and Haggard said there is a great heat, but the job calls for work and planning to help the student-athletes perform their amount of research stating keeping the core every day. Head football athletic trainer best under the strenuous circumstances. body temperature down allows the players Clint Haggard said a typical day starts at Haggard said that for a Saturday game, to perform at a high level. 5:30 a.m. and they are constantly working they typically try to pre-hydrate the players To fight the heat on gameday, the trainto keep the student-athletes healthy and able starting on Tuesday and supplement them ing staff will use ice towels and a cooling to play. with extra sodium as well. Monitoring each system that plugs into the players’ shoul“Between doing treatments and everyplayers’ weight to make sure they don’t der pads. The cooling system is called the thing that goes on throughout the week, lose too much from all the work during TMS, or Temperature Management System, we’re busy,” Haggard said. “In the mornthe season is another job that is done daily, and it runs cool air to the players bodies to ings we’re doing treatment and rehab on and keeping that in mind will help keep the help keep them from becoming overheated. guys, then we have little slower time durplayers in the best shape possible to play “We use a big air compressor … it’s the ing the lunch hour … then once 1:30 rolls through heat. same one the use on a lot of construction around were hitting hard again doing treat“The guys have done well with the educa- sites where they use the pneumatic air sysments. tion component of what we’ve done,” Hag- tems for nail guns,” Haggard said. “So what “Next thing is setting up for practice, get- gard said. “They understand you can’t just it does is generates this air, it blows it thorting it running and going through practice, start hydrating yourself on Friday for the ough a hose and we blow it through a big keeping the guys hydrated and managing Saturday game because you’re already becooler full of ice water. injuries … working with guys who can’t hind the eight ball for the Saturday game by “The air comes out of the generator at practice that day, then treatments again af- the time Friday rolls around. 100 degrees, then when it comes out of this ter practice,” Haggard commented. “We try to keep them hydrated throughout cooler, we’ve cooled it to about 40-45 deIf the typical day isn’t intimidating enough with hours from about 5:30 a.m. until 8 p.m., there is also the need to have short- and long-term plans for the health of the student-athletes. The staff includes five certified athletic trainers, 11 students going through the athletic training program at the University, orthopedic physicians, internal medicine physicians, a chiropractor, a massage therapist and a psychiatrist. “Everyone has a role, and then I’m kind of managing those people’s roles as well,” Haggard said. “It’s definitely a lot more than people see on a given day with all the moving parts to the program … we work hand-in-hand with the strength and conditioning staff, the equipment room and communicate with our coaches. “I’m kind of the liaison to the medical world in talking to our team physicians and working with the players, trying to get them better and then communicating with the coaches … it’s kind of intertwined in working with all the different areas of our program.” Haggard said that he also works with the video staff, who are very good about getting them footage on any injuries. He said that seeing how an injury happens can be helpful, especially when it comes to head photo by travis bell/sideline carolina injuries. This footage can also give the staff insight into how an injury really took place Clint Haggard (left) and the athletic training staff work all year to support the Gamecocks.
grees. By the time it gets to the “tree” that we’ve hooked up to the shoulder pads, it’s about 45-50 degrees,” Haggard explained. The TMS is not widely utilized throughout the country, but Florida does use it for their players as well. The system was seen by many fans on the broadcast of the games, and it is one of the keys to keeping the player cool and able to maximize their energy. The football training staff is constantly busy and working, especially during the season and when they are battling the heat, but the job also goes year round for Haggard. “The funniest thing to me is when I see people out … they say ‘what do you do once the season’s over?’” Haggard said. “I would love it to be that I have absolutely nothing to do because that means everybody is healthy, but there is never a time throughout the year that we don’t have somebody hurt, whether they’re coming off surgery or just have a sprain of some sort. There’s always something going on even in the offseason as well.”
“The guys have done well with the education component of what we’ve done. They understand you can’t just start hydrating yourself on Friday for the Saturday game because you’re already behind the eight ball for the Saturday game by the time Friday rolls around. We try to keep them hydrated throughout the week, and that way we keep them ahead of the curve … that plays a big part of it in preparing for that heat.” - Clint Haggard
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Chart, continued from page 11 fame: he (21) coached LeBron James as a freshman and sophomore at St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School before taking the job at his alma mater. Marshall University, led by former (22) College of Charleston head coach Tom Herrion, pays a visit to Colonial Life Arena Dec. 30. The teams will meet for the first time since 1980 and Gamecock fans will have a chance to dust off a decades-old grudge. In that last matchup in Huntington, W. Va., Marshall drubbed Carolina 116-85, still the (23) second-most points the Gamecocks have ever allowed. Bonus fact: Marshall’s leading scorer that year was named (24) George Washington. Current Herd forward Elijah Pittman is Conference USA’s leading returning scorer at 16.1 points per game. Rounding out the non-conference slate is a matchup with South Carolina State Jan. 3, 2014 in Columbia. 6-foot-11 forward (25) Matthew Hezekiah had one of the more impressive performances against the Gamecocks last year, posting 24 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in an 80-69 loss. Will the Gamecocks be ready when nonconference play kicks off Nov. 9? We’ll find out soon. Will you be ready for non-conference play when it arrives Nov. 9? After reading this article, I can only hope.
September 11, 2013
Where are they now? - Petra Ujhelyi by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
Petra Ujhelyi played for the Gamecock women’s basketball team from 1999-2003 and brings the experience of playing in the Elite Eight in 2002 back to the on-the-rise program under head coach Dawn Staley. Ujhelyi is also pursuing an advanced degree in South Carolina’s sports and entertainment management program while serving as a graduate assistant. Ujhelyi said being on the Elite Eight team was a great experience when the team clicked and everyone bought into the program. From her collegiate experience, she was able to get opportunities to play professionally all over the world. She played in the WNBA, Isarel, Spain twice, Turkey, Italy, Poland and for the Hungarian national team. Her favorite place to play was in Madrid for the atmosphere, but her favorite team was her national team. “It’s such a different environment because you’re not only representing your country … it’s like playing with your childhood friends, so it’s really hard to top that. That has been really special for me over the summers, that’s 2013-14 South Carolina why I picked that over the WNBA,” Ujhelyi Non-Conference Schedule: said. The opportunity to get back involved with November the program came because Ujhelyi and Nov. 3, vs. USC Aiken (exhibition), TBA Staley share an agent, and Ujhelyi was able Nov. 9, vs. Longwood, TBA to come practice with the team last year. Her Nov. 12, at Baylor, 3 p.m. ESPN agent, Mike Cound, told her there were still Nov. 17, at Clemson, TBA pictures of her up all over, and it seemed like Nov. 24, Florida International, TBA a great time to come back to the program. “I knew I was done playing basketball … December Dec. 6, at Oklahoma State, 9:30 p.m. ESPNU just a lot of traveling and playing in different countries, which was awesome and I am Dec. 17, Manhattan College, TBA thankful that I had the opportunity, but I Dec. 19, USC Upstate, 12 p.m. knew that I was ready for something more Dec. 22-25, at Hawaiian Airlines Diamond stable. I felt like going back to school is never Head Classic (1st round vs. St. Mary’s, 12 a bad idea,” Ujhelyi said. a.m. ESPNU; 2nd/3rd rounds, TBA) She said that she would like to continue to Dec. 28, vs. Akron (non-bracketed game of the Diamond Head Classic), 4 p.m. ESPNU stay around basketball once she finishes her second degree from South Carolina, but was Dec. 30, vs. Marshall, TBA unsure whether that would be through coachJanuary ing on on the business side of basketball. Jan. 3, vs. SC State, TBA Ujhelyi noted that there is more stability with the business aspects of sports because coachAll times listed in Eastern and subject to ing can be unpredictable. change “I was a player, I know coaches can only do so much. They prepare you and everything, Home games listed in bold but players make the decisions on the court,” Ujhelyi explained. “The business side is a little more stable; you can foresee things a little better and maybe they are a little more
under your control.” Ujhelyi is able to function as a medium between the coaches and players to help bridge understanding because of all her experience playing in college, professionally and in international competition. Her role is not as in-depth as those on the coaching staff, but she remains involved with the program and the student-athletes. “I’m more like in between; I can still kind of see both sides. I still remember how I felt as a player … but I can relate to the coaches also and see things from their perspective. How they make kids do things that will be beneficial for them later, but the kids may not see that yet because they’re young,” Ujhelyi said. Ujhelyi was ecstatic about the opportunity to work with Staley and the coaching staff at South Carolina, and it was one of the factors that made her sure the decision to return would be beneficial. “It’s a new coaching staff here from when South Carolina Athletics Media Relations I played, but they welcomed me with open arms, and I’m very grateful for the opportu- Ujhelyi is happy to be back at her “second nity to be around and be the GA. To work for home” working with the women’s basketa Hall of Famer, is there anything more you ball team for head coach Dawn Staley. can ask for?,” Ujhelyi said. “I have so much respect for them, and just being around the program to see the dedication and the hours they put it, it’s really amazing. I’m just so happy to be here and ready to help the program any way possible.” Ujhelyi is confident in the team, knowing that they will be one of the hardest-working teams in the SEC and the country. She is sure they will play their hearts out because “Coach Staley would not let anything else happen.” She also expressed excitement about being back behind the bench for games to witness the great environment of SEC basketball. The environment at South Carolina was one of the biggest draws for her to return to the program in her new role. “It’s South Carolina; the fans love the Gamecocks. It is such a great opportunity. People will come and support the team if we start winning,” Ujhelyi said. “I’m so glad she is turning the program around and trying to do everything to get the community involved and put people in the stands. “You know I’m an alumni, so South Carolina is my second home. I want to see the University succeed and make some history.” The Gamecocks hope for the same this upcoming season, and are glad to have a former standout back involved with the program.
Spurs & Feathers • 19
September 11, 2013
Women’s tennis working to serve up a successful season by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
by winning almost all the doubles points after losing most of them the year before. Epley feels that this has given those players returning Gamecock women’s tennis head coach Kev- in the system confidence, and they are at the in Epley is preparing his team for his second advantage of not having to start from scratch. season leading the program. He also said they will be further along this Last season he had to be reactive with comyear which should help them to bring the new ing in late in the summer, but this year he has players who are starting from scratch along taken a more proactive approach and has the quicker. team working at another level. Epley also said that the players in singles “I think the student-athletes came in knowhave gained some good experiences, and they ing that they were going to be working a lot will all be challenged this season. His hope is harder this year, with last year being my first that they can make the same kind of impact on year,” Epley said. “There wasn’t a lot of time to the singles side this year as they did playing implement a program the way that I have done doubles last season. in the past … I was sort of telling them at the Epley has been working on blending the end of last year that this year we are going to returners with the newcomers, and he said be working a lot harder. that this is one of the biggest challenges facing “We finished up two weeks of morning a program. There are different personalities workouts, 6 a.m. workouts, and they’ve been coming into the program, including more responding very well and working really Americans, but he feels that will allow them to hard,” Epley said of the team. come together. There is a team-building retreat The strength and conditioning focus in the that the group will take to get to know each fall this season has been bolstered by a threeother in a non-tennis setting and lay out the day mentorship period that Epley and some goals for the upcoming season. other members of South Carolina Athletics “The best teams in tennis, even though it’s an attended at one of the premier strength and individual sport, are those teams that do come conditioning facilities in the country out in together and play for something greater than Arizona. themselves. Hopefully we will take a step in “We’ve been implementing a lot of the elethat direction,” Epley explained. ments that we took from that program into our The goals for the fall are not only to improve own programs, and we’re really hoping to see the team’s conditioning and team building, but a big impact for it by just staying committed also to work on an individual level with the and consistent,” Epley said. student-athletes. Epley noted that the team is much further “The fall is basically playing a ton and develalong this year than last year, partially because oping a ton. It’s all individual based. The meat he has been able to focus on the program of our schedule isn’t until the spring, and then rather than running around trying to recruit not really until the subset of the SEC season in players and settle in the new city. He feels the March. That’s when everything starts really team has been able to step up and has really counting, and everything we do is in preparing committed to the program. for that point, the SEC Tournament and the The biggest impact for the team last year was NCAA Tournament,” Epley explained. made in the doubles portions of the matches During the fall period the focus is on individ-
Photo by Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA
Epley is in his second year in charge of the South Carolina women’s tennis program. ual improvement, even if that means giving up a few losses if the players can learn from them. The transitions and improvements are meant to prepare for that spring season so in the fall nobody will think about what happened in the fall. Epley said all this extra work will hopefully come to pay off as the Gamecocks go through the season competing in the brutal SEC. He
said each team is so good that there is really nothing else like playing in this conference and getting top competition week after week. “Resiliency and toughness are the things that this conference teaches you. If you can keep the ship together, keep the people focused and not break down through that test then you will be far more prepared for the fire come NCAA time,” Epley said.
20 • Spurs & Feathers
September 11, 2013
Depth Charts for Sept. 14, 7 p.m. South Carolina OFFENSE WR: 1 4 8 WR: 23 80 85 WR: 3 11 82 LT: 53 74 LG: 50 65 C: 51 54 70 RG: 67 75 RT: 71 78 TE: 81 89 88 QB: 14 17 5 FB: 41 31 TB: 28 22 7 DEFENSE DE: 90 34 44 DT: 97 92 DT: 99 52 94 DE: 7 5 MLB: 8 11 28 WLB: 21 10 18 SPUR: 9 42 CB: 27 4 SS: 20 6 FS: 12 17 CB: 15 3 1
Vanderbilt
Damiere Byrd 5-9 Shaq Roland 6-1 Shamier Jeffery 6-1 Bruce Ellington 5-9 K.J. Brent 6-4 Kane Whitehurst 5-11 Nick Jones 5-7 Pharoh Cooper 5-11 Kwinton Smith 6-4 Corey Robinson 6-8 Mason Zandi 6-9 A.J. Cann 6-4 Brock Stadnik 6-5 Cody Waldrop 6-2 Clayton Stadnik 6-3 Alan Knott 6-4 Ronald Patrick 6-2 Will Sport 6-5 Brandon Shell 6-6 Cody Gibson 6-7 Rory Anderson 6-5 Jerell Adams 6-6 Drew Owens 6-6 Connor Shaw 6-1 Dylan Thompson 6-3 Brendan Nosovitch 6-1 Connor McLaurin 6-0 Jordan Diaz 6-1 Mike Davis 5-9 Brandon Wilds 6-2 Shon Carson 5-8
166 190 207 196 188 179 174 184 212 341 293 314 286 319 281 272 315 294 323 286 242 237 244 209 218 220 237 233 215 223 219
Jr. So. So. Jr. So. So. Jr. Fr. Fr.-RS Jr. Fr.-RS Jr. Fr.-RS Fr.-RS Fr.-RS Fr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Fr.-RS Jr. Jr. So. So. So.
Sicklerville, N.J. Lexington, S.C. St. Matthews, S.C. Moncks Corner, S.C. Waxhaw, N.C. Duluth, Ga. Moore, S.C. Havelock, N.C. Hamer, S.C. Havelock, N.C. Irmo, S.C. Bamberg, S.C. Greensboro, N.C. Seffner, Fla. Greensboro, N.C. Tyrone, Ga. Cocoa, Fla. Milton, Fla. Goose Creek, S.C. Tallahassee, Fla. Powder Springs, Ga. Pinewood, S.C. Charlotte, N.C. Flowery Branch, Ga. Boiling Springs, S.C. Allentown, Pa. Raleigh, N.C. Hamilton, N.J. Lithonia, Ga. Blythewood, S.C. Scranton, S.C.
Chaz Sutton 6-5 Mason Harris 6-3 Gerald Dixon 6-2 J.T. Surratt 6-2 Gerald Dixon, Jr. 6-3 Kelcy Quarles 6-4 Phillip Dukes 6-3 Kelsey Griffin 6-2 Jadeveon Clowney 6-6 Darius English 6-6 Kaiwan Lewis 6-0 T.J. Holloman 6-2 Jonathan Walton 6-0 Marcquis Roberts 6-1 Skai Moore 6-2 Cedrick Cooper 6-2 Sharrod Golightly 5-10 Jordan Diggs 6-0 Victor Hampton 5-10 Ahmad Christian 5-10 T.J. Gurley 5-10 Chris Moody 6-1 Brison Williams 5-11 Chaz Elder 6-2 Jimmy Legree 6-0 Jamari Smith 5-10 Rico McWilliams 5-11
263 218 268 307 318 298 315 292 274 226 221 228 234 225 205 213 195 214 202 189 196 212 218 199 187 183 187
Sr. So. So. Jr. So. Jr. So. Fr. Jr. Fr.-RS So. Fr.-RS Fr. So. Fr. So. Jr. Fr.-RS Jr. So. So. Fr.-RS Jr. Fr.-RS Sr. Fr. Fr.-RS
Savannah, Ga. Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Rock Hill, S.C. Winston-Salem, N.C. Rock Hill, S.C. Hodges, S.C. Manning, S.C. Buford, Ga. Rock Hill, S.C. Powder Springs, Ga. Mays Landing, N.J. Stone Mountain, Ga. Daphne, Ala. Powder Springs, Ga. Cooper City, Fla. Lithonia, Ga. Decatur, Ga. Fort Myers, Fla. Darlington, S.C. Jacksonville, Fla. Cairo, Ga. McDonough, Ga. Warner Robins, Ga. Union City, Ga. Beaufort, S.C. Jacksonville, Fla. Hampton, Ga.
OFFENSE WR: 17 84 9 WR: 87 85 QB: 6 7 -or- 4 RB: 24 -or- 25 -or- 3 FB: 38 47 TE: 81 89 HB: 82 8 OT: 67 66 OG: 73 -or- 53 C: 57 77 OG: 77 56 OT: 52 50 DEFENSE DE: 92 55 DT: 97 -or- 69 NT: 53 44 93 DE: 90 45 -or- 54 OLB: 35 42 40 MLB: 36 13 11 OLB: 28 30 22 CB: 23 21 SS: 31 27 FS: 1 32 CB: 12 5
Jonathan Krause 5-11 Jordan Cunningham 6-1 Trent Pruitt 5-9 Jordan Matthews 6-3 Trey Wilkins 5-11 Austyn Carta-Samuels 6-1 Josh Grady 5-11 Patton Robinette 6-4 Wesley Tate 6-1 Brian Kimbrow 5-8 Jerron Seymour 5-7 Fitz Lassing 6-3 Blake Gowder 6-2 Steven Scheu 6-5 Dillon van der Wal 6-6 Kris Kentera 6-4 Fitz Lassing 6-3 Wesley Johnson 6-5 Blake Fromang 6-7 Chase White 6-4 Jake Bernstein 6-3 Joe Townsend 6-3 Spencer Pulley 6-4 Spencer Pulley 6-4 Barrett Gouger 6-4 Andrew Bridges 6-6 Andrew Jelks 6-6
192 175 180 206 205 215 202 212 224 185 200 245 230 255 260 235 245 295 295 292 305 305 300 300 307 285 295
Sr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Fr.-RS Sr. So. So. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Fr.-RS Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr.-RS Jr. Fr.-RS
Snellville, Ga. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Fitzgerald, Ga. Madison, Ala. Cordova, Tenn. San Jose, Calif. Tampa, Fla. Maryville, Tenn. Madison, Tenn. Memphis, Tenn. Hialeah, Fla. Nashville, Tenn. Blairsville, Ga. Evansville, Ind. Woodland Hills, Calif Colorado Springs, Colo. Nashville, Tenn. Nashville, Tenn. Orlando, Fla Plano, Texas Lake in the Hills, Ill. Hendersonville, Tenn. Germantown, Tenn. Germantown, Tenn. Soddy Daisy, Tenn. Atlanta, Ga. Paris, Tenn.
Kyle Woestmann 6-3 Caleb Azibuke 6-4 Jared Morse 6-2 Adam Butler 6-4 Vince Taylor 6-2 Barron Dixon 6-4 Ladarius Banks 6-2 Walker May 6-5 Stephen Weatherly 6-5 Jimmy Stewart 6-4 Darreon Herring 6-2 Kellen Williams 6-1 Ja’karri Thomas 6-1 Chase Garnham 6-3 Jake Sealand 6-2 Harding Harper 6-2 Karl Butler 6-1 Larry Franklin 6-0 Casey Hughes 6-1 Andre Hal 6-0 Paris Head 6-0 Javon Marshall 5-10 Jahmel McIntosh 6-1 Kenny Ladler 6-1 Andrew Williamson 6-1 Steven Clarke 5-10 Torren McGaster 6-0
252 265 304 305 312 308 295 250 252 250 228 225 225 235 230 240 218 214 218 185 182 202 205 205 210 195 190
Jr. So. Sr. Fr.-RS Jr. Jr. Fr.-RS Sr. Fr.-RS So. So. Jr. Fr.-RS Sr. So. Fr.-RS Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Fr.-RS Sr. So. Sr. So. Sr. Fr.-RS
Marietta, Ga. Nashville, Tenn. Oxford, Ala. Duncanville, Texas Hattiesburg, Miss. Dallas, Ga. Dallas, Ga Birmingham, Ala. Snellville, Ga. Cape Coral, Fla. Stone Mountain, Ga. Winter Garden, Fla. Tallahassee, Fla. Fairhope, Ala. Tucker, Ga. Montgomery, Ala. New Orleans, La. Vero Beach, Fla. Reading, Pa. Port Allen, La. Lawrenceville, Ga. Huber Heights, Ohio Cleveland, Miss. Stone Mountain, Ga. San Antonio, Texas Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. Daphne, Ala.
*These depth charts are taken from the listings from each team’s previous game. Spurs & Feathers goes to print shortly after each football game. Please visit www.spursandfeathers. com over the course of the week for updated depth charts.
Spurs & Feathers • 21
September 11, 2013
Photos courtesy of ZVerse, Inc.
Everyone has their favorite Gamecock picture or logo, but what if you could have that come to life in three dimensions? That is the idea that sparked ZVerse, Inc., a 3-D printing company located in downtown Columbia, to create Gamecock-inspired art. All the pieces are available on ZVerse’s website and at Garnet and Black Traditions.
Bringing Gamecock memorabilia to a new dimension by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
“I was watching the Outback Bowl and saw “the Hit,” and thought it would be incredible if I could create a 3D model of that play.”
ing,” Carrington said. Carrington said they excel with products in limited-run manufacturing that is cenEveryone has their favorite Gamecock tered around marketable content. picture or logo, but what if you could have “We go straight from concept to design ~ John Carrington, ZVerse, Inc. then production and selling online in a that come to life in three dimensions? That is the idea that sparked ZVerse, Inc., a 3-D matter of days,” Carrington said. “We can printing company located in downtown Co- tures and building the 3-D models, then “We felt that Marcus was a great athlete be highly customized and do short runs, lumbia, to create Gamecock-inspired art. printing those models. After having some to partner with because he transcends foot- which you can’t do with traditional manuAfter 15 years working in e-commerce, success and getting more serious about it, ball which allows us to create content with facturing that you see in China and elseco-founder/CEO John Carrington’s fascihe left his job in February to create this him on or off the field. He has great charwhere. We can introduce 10 new products nation and experience with 3-D printing start-up business. Early on, all his work acter and we are happy to have him associ- on store shelves in the time it takes a tratechnology led him to start a new business. was done overseas, but after getting an ated with our brand,” Carrington explained. ditional manufacturer to get one prototype He was looking for different opportunities investor he was able to hire a staff and get ZVerse began to use their technology to developed. ZVerse products will be sold to create a new kind of art with this techthe equipment needed to do the work in take iconic images from Lattimore’s career in 15 retail stores by the end of September. nology when he drew inspiration watching Columbia. at South Carolina, starting with his last Most of the products were just concepts in South Carolina in the Outback Bowl. ZVerse’s groundbreaking technology touchdown, to produce one of a kind work August. We are breaking a lot of rules right “I was watching the Outback Bowl and quickly caught the attention from one of the of art. There is a piece offered by ZVerse now with how manufacturing and product saw “the Hit,” and thought it would be largest sports marketing firms in the world. entitled “Touchdown #41” commemorating development has been done.” incredible if I could create a 3-D model of The agency helped ZVerse secure licensing his final touchdown as a Gamecock against All of the pieces available from ZVerse that play and make a 3-D version of that rights of Marcus Lattimore and other proTennessee. can be found on their website at: http:// image using an advanced 3-D printer,” fessional athletes. Marcus became the first “Really this is just the beginning of some- zverse.com. The pieces will also be availCarrington said. “It wasn’t just particularly professional athlete to license his image thing we hope to be much bigger, but you able from Garnet and Black Traditions, and with Jadeveon’s picture at the time, but the to be used with this new 3D print technolhave to start with just the one licensing possibly through more distributors soon concept in general.” ogy. In addition, they secured the licensing agreement to demonstrate what you can do. if you are looking for a unique piece of He began to experiment with taking picrights for USC trademarks. We hope to be the ‘Fathead’ of 3D printGamecock memorabilia.
22 • Spurs & Feathers
September 11, 2013
photo by allen sharpe
Mike Davis rushed 16 times for a career-best 149 yards. He had a 75-yard run for the second consecutive week. Davis finished the day with 198 all-purpose yards (49 yards receiving).
Gamecocks come up short in SEC East showdown by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
Georgia win. Georgia scored on an 85-yard touchdown pass with 13 minThe 11th-ranked Georgia utes remaining in the game, Bulldogs claimed a 41-30 vicand South Carolina’s final drive tory over the sixth-ranked South ended on a 4th-and-goal option Carolina Gamecocks in an ofpitch that was stopped for a loss. fensive shootout. The Bulldogs were able to run Georgia’s defense was able to out the final 8:28 of the game to come up with a few more stops secure the victory. than South Carolina’s and that “We couldn’t stop them, and turned out to be the difference in they made a bunch of third down the game. conversions … we’re struggling The Gamecock offense put on defense,” South Carolina up 454 total yards, but it could head coach Steve Spurrier said. not score enough to keep up “Offensively Mike Davis had with Georgia’s offense and its about as good a game as any 536 yards. The Bulldogs were running back that I’ve ever seen. able to score 17 points in the He played his heart out, as did second half, and then held the Connor Shaw, who also had an Gamecocks to six points in the excellent game. half which eventually led to the “We didn’t score every pos-
session, and we got beat. Sometimes you’ve got to score every possession, but we weren’t good enough to do that today,” Spurrier said. Davis led the way for South Carolina’s offense with 198 total yards (149 yards rushing) and a touchdown. Shaw went 16-for-25 passing for 228 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 75 yards. Nick Jones caught six passes for 97 yards and the two touchdowns. The first half of the matchup between the Gamecocks and the Bulldogs certainly lived up to its billing. Georgia scored 17 straight points after South Carolina opened with a field goal to race out to a two touchdown
lead. The Gamecocks answered back with 14 straight points on a Brandon Wilds touchdown run, then a one-play scoring drive that saw Shaw hook up with Jones for an 18-yard touchdown that tied the game at 17-all. The touchdown pass immediately followed a botched punt attempt by Georgia that let the Gamecocks start inside the red zone. The teams would trade touchdowns late in the half to leave the game knotted at 24-24 at intermission. Shaw and Jones hooked up for their second touchdown of the game with 13 photo by allen sharpe seconds remaining in the half Nick Jones had a career day against Georto even the score, but Georgia would take over the game in the gia. He claimed a career-best six catches for 97 yards and two touchdown receptions. second half.
September 11, 2013
Spurs & Feathers • 23
24 • Spurs & Feathers
September 11, 2013
Border Bash brings rival fans together plained. “We like to give to some of the smaller “It’s a great night, and the people all come together charities that get a huge benefit from a $2,500 check that can keep them going for 12 months, to have a good time and represent their team. It’s The 20th Annual Border Bash Celebration and we are able to give a lot of those out.” something that we love to do and plan to keep going on was held in the Augusta Commons on Friday, The night was packed with fun, as the South Sept. 6. Carolina and Georgia cheerleaders each peras long as we can.” The annual event featuring Gamecock and formed on the main stage twice, and they spent Bulldog supporters gave the rival fans the the rest of the event meeting fans and posing unique opportunity to come together and gra- for pictures. Cocky and Hairy Dawg were also ciously represent their teams. The celebration in attendance to lead the cheer squads and both remained respectful despite the huge rivalry drew large crowds everywhere they went durthat took place the following day on the footing the event. ball field because the proceeds from the night South Carolina’s cheerleading coach Erika were given to local charitable organizations. Goodwin said that the squad makes Border “It is a really unique opportunity for these Bash an all-day event, visiting the children’s rival fans to come together and celebrate. hospital and making an appearance at a golf Georgia and Georgia Tech don’t do anything tournament before heading to the celebration. like this, and neither do South Carolina and “It’s a great event, and the team always has Clemson,” said Joel Simmons, board member fun doing this. We’ve been coming since back of the Border Bash Foundation. “Everyone when I cheered here at South Carolina, and it seems to stay considerate no matter their alle- has always been something that we have engiance because they know that this whole thing joyed,” Goodwin said. is for a good cause.” The fans enjoyed the night as well, packing Simmons said that he has been helping with into the Augusta Commons to see the cheer the event since its inception 20 years ago, and squads, mascots and the bands providing live has seen it grow in the downtown Augusta music for the event. The Joe Stevenson Band area for the past 17 years. He and Augusta opened the event around performances by the Gamecock Club President Tom Rogers echoed cheer squads, before headliner Blackberry one another in saying the best thing about the Smoke took the stage following the final cheer event is giving the money to the charities in performances. December every year. “It’s a great night, and the people all come “We give the money to local charities in Aik- together to have a good time and represent en, Edgefield, Richmond, Columbia and Burke their team,” Rogers said. “It’s something that photo by mike kucharski counties that benefit children, battered moms we love to do and plan to keep going on as long The 20th annual Border Bash was held in the Augusta Commons on Sept. 6 in Augusta, Ga. or children from problem areas,” Simmion ex- as we can.” by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
- Tom Rogers
Sand volleyball makes it to the courts for evaluation by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
them in a game-like environment. “You can’t just jump in and tell them do this, this and this without really seeing what their The sand volleyball program at South Caroli- starting point is, almost on an individual basis. na has gone through a variety of team meetings Right now it’s more of an evaluation period. and strength and conditioning training to make Let’s see what they do, how they do it and tweak their way out to the courts. little things here and there,” Moritz said. “Then Head coach Moritz Moritz and the studentfrom that knowledge base … we’ll be able to athletes all felt good to finally get their feet in move forward and give specific feedback to the sand. each individual and see how they play together “It’s that sense of - not relief - but its that step and how they interact. beyond excitement … the conceptual side of “We have plenty of work to do, but we’re albeach volleyball is really starting to fire up ways going to have plenty of work to do. I think with the girls, but obviously not until you really any of the top coaches, even coming off a nastart doing volleyball does it kick in,” Moritz tional championship, they’re always going to get explained. back at it. Once you’ve hit one goal, you have to The team has been able to practice this week establish the next one,” Moritz continued. and is coming into the period with the goals of As has been a theme with the team thus far, learning what to expect from each other as a Moritz talked about the student-athletes’ adaptteam. Moritz said that evaluating the team is the ability to change. The team has practiced on the most important thing for him during this period, courts at the Blatt Physical Education Center so he had them start with a lot of play to see thus far, but will also use the courts at the Strom
Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center until the facility in the Athletics Village is completed before the season. “Our group of student-athletes, and everyone that is coming into this program, has that understanding that we need to be adaptable,” Moritz said. “They’re more excited to just be on the sand and really start playing, training and doing stuff organized as the beach volleyball team representing South Carolina than caring about where at this point.” Moritz echoed the importance of adaptability not only in starting the program from scratch, but also in dealing with conditions of playing on different courts in anything from heat and humidity to rain, sleet and wind during that may come up during the season. He said that the weather has varied greatly in practice session, which is a good experience for the team to begin to get a feel for what may happen during the season. According to Moritz, things such as weather
worry and getting ready for spring competition are not in play right now as the focus now must be on taking each practice one at a time. He will design each practice to help the studentathletes improve while evaluating the process constantly. “You always want to keep it as simple as you can, so sometimes I get ahead of myself because I am so eager for March, but that’s a long way away, so what are we doing now to prepare for that,” Moritz said. “Last week it was March, and yesterday it became about that practice, and today is just about today. Getting each individual focused on their growth and improvement is the biggest part. “I’m just excited for them … I’m not looking for anything specific yet, just trying to develop that overall picture of ‘where are we now?’ so we can really isolate where we need to be at different stages during this semester, the next semester and moving forward toward our competition phase,” Moritz concluded.
Spurs & Feathers • 25
September 11, 2013
Spartanburg County Gamecock Club
will be attending along with other special guests.
“Leave the driving to us!” First come, first serve so don’t wait; seats will fill up fast! 2013 Away Football Game Bus Trips
Contact Club President Scat Scaturro at (843) 621-8008, or Rocky Rietkovich, Florence County Gamecock Club Board of Directors, Public Relations Officer (843) 4950288.
Oct. 19 - Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.) COST: Early Bird (Before Sept. 15th) $50/seat After Sept. 15th $55/seat) Departure Time & Place: Jason Deli’s Parking Lot ( W.O. Ezell Blvd. Spartanburg) Departure Time: TBA (once gametime is confirmed) Please make Check payable to : Spartanburg County Gamecock Club Mail to: P.O. Box 5146, Spartanburg, SC 29304 Please remember reserved bus seats DO NOT include game tickets. Please contact Glenn Cox, (864) 597-8380, with questions.
South Carolina Hall of Fame Induction Thursday, Sept. 12 in The Zone at Williams-Brice Stadium. The reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the dinner and inductions starting at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $50 per person and may be ordered from the Association of Lettermen (803-760-0534) or the USC Athletic Department (803-777-4274). Tickets are also available in the Gamecock Club Lobby at the Rice Athletics Center (1304 Heyward Street).
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Roger’s BBQ House, Jernigan Law Firm, Mickey Finn’s, Crawford Law Firm or from a member of the Board of Directors.
Spartanburg County Gamecock Club – September Meeting Thursday, September 19th 7 p.m. at Spartanburg Downtown Marriott Convention Center Admission is FREE and the meeting is open to all Gamecock fans. Guest Speaker will be Phil Kornblut, host of the syndicated radio show SportsTalk. Phil will give us his insights and thoughts on summer practices and the 2013 football season. Come early & listen to Phil as he broadcasts his statewide radio program LIVE from Spartanburg, 6-7pm!
Darlington County Gamecock Club Board meeting Monday, October 7, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. Heritage Community Bank 206 South Fifth Street in Hartsville, S.C. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served. All Gamecock fans are invited to attend!
Florence County Gamecock Club Fall Rally
Darlington County Gamecock Club Election
Wednesday, September 18 6-8 p.m.at the Floyd Conference Center at Carolina’s Hospital System; 805 Pamplico Hwy., Florence, SC 29505. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. with Roger’s BBQ House furnishing your meal, and the program starts at 7 p.m.
Monday, November 4, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. Heritage Community Bank 206 South Fifth Street in Hartsville, S.C. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served. All Gamecock fans are invited to attend!
AD Ray Tanner along with head baseball coach Chad Holbrook and head men’s basketball coach Frank Martin
Don’t forget to check the calendar on spursandfeathers.com for all upcoming Gamecock Club and South Carolina Athletics events.
Upcoming South Carolina Athletics Events zz September 12 Women’s Soccer vs. South Florida.............................. 7 p.m. zz September 13 Volleyball vs. Utah State...............................................................10 a..m. Volleyball vs. Liberty.........................................................................5 p.m. Men’s Soccer at St. John’s...............................................................8 p.m. zz September 14 Cross Country Mountain Dew Invitational.......................8:30 a.m. Volleyball at Duke........................................................................1:30 p.m. Football vs. Vanderbilt.................................................7 p.m. zz September 15 Women’s Soccer vs. East Carolina...............................1 p.m. Men’s Soccer at Rutgers..................................................................2 p.m. Home events are bold
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Serving up a top assistant coach
south carolina athletics media relations
by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
ing at the prospects, but it is necessary to bring in the type of players that will excel in the program. She noted that off the court she South Carolina boasts one of the top up-and- looks at how they get along with the team on coming volleyball coaches in the nation on its visits, look at the family and parents, check on staff in associate head coach and recruiting their coachability and she listens to input from coordinator Julie Darty. Darty was honored as the team. a “Thirty Under 30” coach by the American “We do a lot through club, so in the springVolleyball Coaches Association in March of time there are a lot of big tournaments with 2013. thousands of kids playing at one time. We “That was always a goal in my mind bedo a lot of the evaluations … we make good cause a lot of young coaches that I look up to notes, talk to their high school coaches, their have been put on that list before. That’s some- club coaches and learn as much about the kid thing that I want to strive for and will help me as we can,” Darty explained. “That way when in my professional growth,” Darty said. “It we’re on the phone with them we can tell if was a huge honor, it was awesome and a great she would be a good fit, what kind of kid they surprise.” are or if there will be a lot of drama surroundDarty said she came to South Carolina being them.” cause working in the SEC has always been Darty notes that she will never make an offer a dream location for her. Also, many calls without having a prospect visit campus, and were made to head coach Scott Swanson on that she doesn’t go for the “hard-sell.” She said her behalf leading to her addition to the prothat in the end the player has to want to come gram. Darty said that she didn’t expect the play at South Carolina as much as they want placement in the SEC to come so fast, but is that player, otherwise it may lead to problems thankful for the opportunity to work in the down the road. However, if the prospect program. doesn’t buy in to wanting to come play for the “The resources here are out of this world. In Gamecocks, they will not be in the program to the recruiting aspect, which is my world, you cause issues later. don’t have to sell a lot,” Darty said. “When Darty does not just focus on bringing playthey see this facility or come to a football ers into the program, she also works with degame, they pretty much say ‘how do I get my- veloping the talent that is already here. Darty self in a position to get an offer?’” works with Swanson in planning practices, Darty does have a main focus on recruiting, and she does individual training with the outand her youth and energy are an asset in play- side hitters, right sides and passers. ing a role that had her traveling 42 weekends “I was an outside and a right side myself, out of the year last year. so it might be that I can relate those kids. I’ve “It is a lot of travel, but it is a lot of fun. It’s been in their shoes on the court,” Darty said. rewarding when you get that kid who I saw “I’m fully involved with practice and training in Vegas and now she’s coming here,” Darty … it’s not like I’m just in the office recruiting said. “It’s really cool to see how that relation- and building those relationships. I’m actually ship starts, and if it’s the right fit you just training those kids too.” know and they will know it too. Then when Darty played her college volleyball as a they say yes, and it’s the best day ever.” standout at Mercer, and that helps her underDarty said it is an extensive process in look- stand the daily grind and everything that goes
into playing in college. This can help her relationships with the player as she understands where they are coming from. “I think that if a kid is mentally or emotionally exhausted, then it is easy for me to relate
to them. I’m closer in age with them, I’m a female and I’ve been through it,” Darty said. “I think it does help being that I was a studentathlete before, and I can help them any way that I possibly can.”
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Hall of Fame Ceremony, Association of Lettermen Golf Tournament coming up by jay brown Gamecock Club
in a season with 120 in 2002. • All-America softball pitcher Megan Matthews (Buning), who played from 1998-2002. Hall of Fame Induction: Thursday, September Matthews won 101 games for Carolina, and led 12th in The Zone at Williams-Brice Stadium. The the nation in saves as a true freshman. When reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the dinner Matthews closed out her career in 2002, she was and inductions starting at 6:30 p.m.. The event is the Gamecocks’ all-time leader in strikeouts, open to the public; tickets are $50 per person and complete games and innings pitched. may be ordered from the Association of Letter• Four-time women’s track All-American man (803-760-0534) or the USC Athletic Depart- Charmaine Howell, who excelled in the 800 mement (803-777-4274). Tickets are also available in ters, finishing as runner-up at the NCAA indoor the Gamecock Club Lobby at the Rice Athletics and outdoor championships. Howell won a silver Center (1304 Heyward Street). medal in the 2000 Olympics in the 4x400 relay. The class of 2013 Hall of Fame Class inShe also ran at the world championship in 1999. cludes: • Max Runager, outstanding punter for coach • The late Arlo Elkins, who guided Carolina’s Jim Carlen’s teams of the late 1970s, who was women’s tennis team to 17 consecutive NCAA voted to Carolina’s all time team in 1992. Runtournaments and 19 overall. Elkins coached the ager punted in the NFL from 1979-1989 for the Gamecocks from 1983-2012, with his teams win- Eagles, 49ers and Cleveland Browns. He punted ning 438 matches. for two Super Bowl teams - the Eagles in 1980 • All-America baseball shortstop Drew Meyer, and the 49ers in 1984. a first-round draft choice by the Texas Rangers, • Dave DeCamilla, who anchored the offensive who still holds the SEC record for most base hits line for coach Paul Dietzel’s Gamecocks from
In Memoriam
The Gamecock Club remembers the following member of Gamecock Nation who recently passed away.
Robert Ramsey: Mr. Ramsey was born in Spindale, North Carolina. He was an athlete at Tryon High School and he was then drafted to serve in the US Army. He is a graduate of the University of
South Carolina where he played baseball. Robert loved golfing at the Greenville County Club and traveling, especially to volunteer at the US Open Championships. He attended Ryder Cups, British Opens, Olympic Games and he loved watching his Gamecocks play! He was a member of Buncombe Street United Methodist Church.
1968-1970. DeCamilla was named first-team AllACC in both 1969 and 1970. Carolina won the ACC title in 1969. • Chris Boyle, baseball catcher for coach June Raines from 1981-84 who helped lead the Gamecocks to two College World Series appearances. In his career Boyle drove in 198 runs, second only to Justin Smoak’s 207, and he also had 224 base hits. • And the late Jake Bodkin, who was voted first-team All-ACC on coach Warren Giese’s offensive line in 1960, after being named second team in 1959. Bodkin won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy for the state of SC in 1960 and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills. Also, the annual USC Association of Lettermen’s Golf Tournament will take place Friday, September 13th at Cobblestone Golf Course (280 University Club Pwky., Blythewood, SC 29016) beginning at 12:00 pm. There are still sponsorship opportunities available: • Block C Sponsor: $1500- advertisement with
company link on Lettermen’s website, ¼ page ad in 2013 Lettermen’s Directory, 3 by 6 ft banner at dining area, 2 sponsor signs on holes 2 and 11, 1 foursome golf team in the golf tournament, 4 passes to Lettermen’s Association Lounge at Williams Brice Stadium and 2 passes in Colonial Life Arena • Gamecock Sponsor: $1000- advertisement with company link on Lettermen’s website, 2 sponsor signs on holes 3 and 12, 1 foursome golf team in the golf tournament, 2 passes to Lettermen’s Association Lounge at Williams Brice Stadium and 2 passes in Colonial Life Arena • Varsity Sponsor: $500- Thank you recognition on Lettermen’s website, 2 hole sponsorships • Hole Sponsor: $200- sign placed at tee-box in recognition of company All sponsors will be recognized in appreciation for their support on the rules and registration form placed in all carts. Please contact Courtney Leavitt at clgamecock@gmail.com for more info.
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Always Remember 9/11
all photos by allen Sharpe
South Carolina and Mississippi State played the first NCAA FBS football game after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2001. The 18th-ranked Gamecocks claimed a 16-14 victory over the 17th-ranked Bulldogs in the contest. Before resuming the major-college football season, the teams held an American flag that nearly covered a 20-yard stretch of the field as the national anthem was sung and ``God Bless America’’ was played. Then Mississippi governor Ronnie Musgrove addressed the crowd before the seven-minute ceremony that included both schools’ bands playing patriotic songs. Bulldogs coach Jackie Sherrill’s daughter, Bonnie, sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” the bands played “God Bless America” and about 30,000 mini flags were handed out to fans (South Carolina Athletics Media Relations contributed to this report).
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Our goals are still obtainable In the overall scheme of things, playing Georgia in the second game of the season is a mixed bag. When you win, it is absolute bliss and jubilation, which we have had for the last three seasons (though last year’s game was later on the schedule). Losing is just the pits. It’s not that we did not have our chances. The Gamecocks played well at times. Nick Jones had a breakout game, particularly in the first half. Mike Davis shows flashes of brilliance and figures to be an outstanding running back for the Ed Girardeau rest of the season and Contributing future. But three big Editor plays that went against USC in the second half really are the difference in the game. Connor Shaw picked up a big first down on a fourth down play, deep in Georgia territory, only to have the balled slapped out of his hands just before his knee hit the ground, causing the only turnover of the game. Then a pass to Bruce Ellington, that was on the money and would have been good for another first down on the ensuing drive, was lost in the sun. One of the most unusual looking plays you will ever see. And then on fourth and a half yard to goal, the offense was stopped short. Indeed this is part of the game, and there is no guarantee that the first two drives would have resulted in points, but Carolina definitely had the momentum, only to give it away. The fourth and goal was the backbreaker as the Bulldogs were able to sustain a drive and run out the rest of the clock. I have to admit, the defense play was disappointing. The youth of the linebacker corps and defensive backs showed. In particular, the long touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter for the Bulldogs, was a blown assignment, resulted in the 11-point lead that Georgia never relinquished and was the final score of the ballgame. And being unable to rise up and stop the Dawgs on the last drive and get the ball back was tough. And as much as I do not like to do it, you have to give Georgia credit. The onside kick recovery in the first quarter was big and resulted in three points. Todd Gurley is as good a running back as there is in
the country. I think most teams (if not all) will have difficulty containing him. As I mentioned last week, my expectation was that they would play much better than they did last week and that was the case. It’s a reminder of just how difficult it is to go on the road and win in the SEC. However, all is not lost. As everyone knows, South Carolina took it to Georgia last year and the preceding year, only to lose two games in the SEC, while Georgia ran the table and won the SEC East both years. Last year, after we humiliated them in Columbia, the Bulldogs came within a play of defeating Alabama and playing (and most likely winning) for the National Championship. In the words of Steve Spurrier in 2005, “why not us?” The margin for error will be minimal, but running the table is not out of the question. Road games at Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri on successive Saturdays will be a difficult task, but not unthinkable. Florida certainly looked beatable on Saturday, which is a long way away, but it is in Columbia. That leaves Kentucky at home on the first weekend in October, Mississippi State the first game at home after the three road games, and, of course, this week’s game at home against Vanderbilt (yes, I know we go to Central Florida and host Coastal Carolina and Clemson, but we’re talking about winning the SEC East; we will worry about these photo by jenny Dilworth others later). Connor Shaw finished the Georgia game with 228 yards passing and 75 yards rushing. We certainly cannot afford to have any let down against Vanderbilt. Nobody can forget the 2007 “game on” contest. I have to believe that the coaches will have the team’s full attention to prepare. The Commodores had a tough loss at home, the same night of our opener with UNC and lost on a long run in the final minute to Mississippi. They will be working hard to get back into the picture, thus, it will be incumbent upon USC to put the boot on them and play the best game of the year. It is amazing how a couple of wins will help put this loss in the rear view mirror. The week will have its difficulties, particularly fans calling local talk shows, tweeting, posting and declaring just how “great” their team is (I would suggest they not count their eggs before they crack). Next Saturday cannot get here soon enough to get this taste out of our mouths and get back on track. Our goals are still obtainable, so let us put the past where it photo by allen sharpe belongs and look to the future with high Jadeveon Clowney registered his first sack of the season in the Georgia game. hopes. The sooner the better!
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