The Daily Gamecock 12/6/19

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2020

SPRING Guide

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY: LAWSON ESTRIDGE AND VANESSA PURPURA // THE GAMECOCK

The

Gamecock


2 SPRING GUIDE

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4 SPRING GUIDE

Sept. 11-13 Hootie & The Blowfish returns home Hootie & The Blowfish is one of the rare groups to see its music passed down through generations, and nowhere is its legacy stronger than the city of Columbia. Michael Miller, entertainment editor at The State when Hootie was just a cover band, said he remembers when the band started writing its own music and signed with Atlantic Records. Through it all, he said they stayed true to the place where it all began. “Sometimes when a band’s together for 25 years, you kind of get tired of hanging out with them, but they haven’t,” Miller said. “They’ve had a very strong bond, like a family.”

Oct. 7

Oct. 12

Accrediting body to conduct review on USC’s presidential search SACSCOC, which gives USC its accreditation, conducted a formal review into the mid-July selection of university President Bob Caslen after Gov. Henry McMaster influenced the board to vote on him. Accreditation is a status given to universities to reflect a high level of standards. When schools are accredited, their quality of education is trusted by employers and students. It also lets USC apply for federal funds. If McMaster used government power to influence the search rather than his position as a board member, it would be “external” influence and a possible violation.

South Carolina football upsets Georgia South Carolina defeated the then-No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs in Athens Oct. 12 for one of the biggest upsets in South Carolina football history. South Carolina struck early in the first quarter with a 46-yard pass from freshman quarterback Ryan Hilinski to senior wide receiver Bryan Edwards. Redshirt freshman Dakereon Joyner took over after Hilinski was injured and led the Gamecocks to the 20-17 win in overtime. Sophomore defensive back Israel Mukuamu caught three interceptions, including a picksix late in the second quarter.

Before looking to the semester ahead, our editors chose to highlight the top stories from the past semester. Here’s a timeline of some of the biggest events, games and controversies at the university and in Columbia from fall 2019.

LAWSON ESTRIDGE // THE GAMECOCK

Oct. 20

Nov. 7

Nov. 24

State approves first stage of Campus Village, Cliff residents to move out in spring The state approved the $210 million first stage of USC’s Campus Village project for four residential buildings and 30,000 square feet of dining space in the university’s largest capital project so far. The village will create 1,800 beds to house the growing student population at USC on the site of Cliff Apartments. Construction will begin in February and is projected to end in fall 2022. Students who live in Cliff Apartments this semester will be reassigned to housing next semester. After the move was announced, Cliff students and parents petitioned the university to delay construction unsuccessfully.

New Tapp’s location announced Tapp’s Art Center has considered Main Street its home for the past eight years, but after an abrupt decrease in funding, it was forced to relocate. Because of Tapp’s influence on Columbia’s arts scene, other businesses could be impacted by its departure. With issues coming from seemingly all ends of the spectrum, Bright and her team found time was their worst enemy. “We just started realizing that we couldn’t afford the space,” Bright said. “We don’t understand why the city and the county don’t see us as more of an asset, but there’s probably good reasons. Time, again, just isn’t on our side.”

Women’s soccer advances to Elite Eight The South Carolina women’s soccer team finished its 2019 season with a 19-2-3 record and 7-0-3 SEC record. South Carolina did not allow a goal for the entire SEC Tournament, defeating teams by scores of 1-0, 2-0 and 1-0. In the NCAA Tournament, the Gamecocks defeated Samford in the first round 3-0, defeated Notre Dame in the second round 1-0 and defeated Kansas in the Sweet 16 2-0. The Gamecocks fell one win short of their second Women’s College Cup appearance in three years with a 1-0 loss to Washington State in the Elite Eight.


SPRING GUIDE 5

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6 SPRING GUIDE

Columbia Museum of Art upcoming exhibits showcase pop culture evolution

HALEY CAPPS News Writer

This spring, the Columbia Museum of Art will welcome two new exhibits that celebrate pop culture. The first exhibit, “TRIBE: A Celebration of South Carolina Hip-Hop Culture,” is scheduled to open Feb. 6, and the second exhibit, “It’s Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett Collection,” will open Feb. 15. According to Jackie Adams, the education and engagement director at the Columbia Museum of Art, the TRIBE exhibit will explore the impact, evolution and empowerment of South Carolina

hip-hop culture. TRIBE will feature artifacts from musicians and graffiti artists over a 40-year span from 1979 to 2019. The artifacts in the collection will include vintage and contemporary photographs, newspaper articles, posters, videos and media such as CDs, records and cassette tapes. Adams also said there will be various audio and visual elements to the exhibit, which will include playlists, graffiti samples and headset tours. “Impact looks at the historical events and the key contributions of certain individuals. ... Evolution looks at the response to those events and how folks dealt with

those different historical moments and pinpoints in time,” Adams said. “The empowerment idea is about coming full circle, and it’s looking at a process of healing through this intergenerational connections.” Adams also explained the

significance of recognizing hiphop culture as an important contribution to art and our national and state identities. SEE COLUMBIA PAGE 7

COURTESY OF THE KIRK HAMMETT HORROR AND SCI-FI MEMORABILIA COLLECTION

“It’s Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett Collection” will be displayed in February.


SPRING GUIDE 7 FROM COLUMBIA PAGE 6

“Museums are sort of the keepers and protectors of culture and cultural artifacts, and what that means is that it goes back to some sort of historical evolution, and what you’re seeing in hip-hop is a historical evolution,” Adams said. “It’s Alive!” is a collection of about 130 different types of Hollywood memorabilia, including vintage posters and cardboard-cutout standees that were loaned to the museum by Kirk Hammett, the lead guitarist for Metallica. One of the featured pieces is a King Kong standee that is about 14 to 15 feet high. According to Will South, the chief curator at the Columbia Museum of Art, the featured posters are handmade

lithographic prints. The exhibit explores the power and influence of images in an era where technology was less prevalent, South said. “In those days, of course, when you were marketing, people still didn’t have TVs yet. There weren’t TVs in every American living room,” South said. “Posters were still a major way of communicating any event.” Both South and Adams said they believe the exhibit reflects a growing trend of inclusivity in the museum world. “It’s an unusual show for us, posters from Hollywood, but I think there’s a broadening agenda in the museum world for what constitutes art,” South said. Adams also drew similarities between the two exhibits. “Hip-hop is going through

the same kind of evolution, so you’re seeing these two great exhibitions side-by-side that essentially share the same struggle of being accepted, and putting them in a museum definitely legitimizes what they are for our culture now,” Adams said. According to South and Adams, the Columbia Museum of Art is one of the best ways for community members to expand their education. “Whether you’re a kindergartener or you’re a sophomore in college, you know if you’re on a path to doing formal education, we offer research,” Adams said. “We are a prime source for objects that you’re not gonna see anywhere else, so that alone in itself is a learning opportunity.”

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COURTESY OF THE KIRK HAMMETT HORROR AND SCI-FI MEMORABILIA COLLECTION

Nosferatu is known for being a 1922 silent horror film about vampires. This Nosferatu poster will be showcased in February.


8 SPRING GUIDE

Tapp’s finds new home, has plans in works ALEXIA GREENE Arts & Culture Writer

The Tapp’s building originally opened in 1940 as a department store, which closed down in 1995. The building was then transitioned into an art center in 2011, still under the name of Tapp’s, but has once again closed its doors due to a lack of funding. Caitlin Bright, executive director of Tapp’s Art Center, said she has a strong vision of the direction in which Tapp’s is heading. Tapp’s has relocated to Five Points and has rebranded as Tapp’s Outpost. Its new home is at 713 Saluda Ave., which is being redesigned into an art space. The first renovation that will take place at Tapp’s Outpost in Five Points includes the building of five studios and a storefront. The store will have different types of DIY art for sale. Behind the store, there will be a hallway for small exhibitions with five studios and a dark room in the back for film production. The second renovation will most likely begin at the end of April 2020 which includes the addition of six more studios and a performance space. “We can do lots of different things in there — workshops, dance performances, blackbox theater, small shows,” Bright said. “Lots of different things that we’ll open up to the community to use as they want.” Tapp’s will be working with the White Mule for music programming. After Tapp’s finishes the second round of renovations at the end of April, it plans to build an outdoor walkway to connect the two studio areas. The outdoor area would be a garden with Wi-Fi and workspaces for the community to use. “The goal is that this will work out in the long term,” Bright said. “It’ll be a tiered scale, so the first bit will be an intimate introduction into what we can do, and then the second bit will create more opportunities and space opportunities for artists and then the third bit will hopefully be a fully functioning footprint of creative production in Five Points.” Tapp’s recent relocation from Main Street was the result of high rent prices in the flourishing downtown district.

EMILY FAST // THE GAMECOCK

Andy White (right), a local artist and anthropology professor at the University of South Carolina, and Chris Gillam (left) move out one of White’s sculptures from Tapp’s Arts Center. Tapp’s is in the process of moving to a new location in the Five Points district.

“What we produced here was really great, but we couldn’t really afford the space,” Bright said. Tapp’s tried working with the landlord, but it was decided it was best to close down, and it did not have a lot of time to prepare to move out. Anita Floyd, executive director of the Columbia Film Society, which operates The Nickelodeon Theatre and Indie Grits Labs, said Tapp’s on Main Street will be missed by the community. She said she hopes the city will still want to create opportunities for artists, especially in the downtown area. Lee Snelgrove, One Columbia executive director, a nonprofit that supports community arts and history, said the closing down of the original Tapp’s will have a large impact on the Columbia community. “A lot will be lost, I think, in terms of that valuable space,” Snelgrove told The Daily Gamecock. “That was already a limited commodity in Columbia for arts and cultural space, and by not having the sheer size of Tapp’s available to artists and arts patrons, there’s a big loss and a big gap in the community.” Bright said they do not plan to make anything

permanent as of yet. “We realized that we’ve leapt, and we’ve hit Five Points and we’re really excited about all the things we can do there,” Bright said. “We’re gonna stay pretty loose with it — if it works, it works, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.” Bright said the larger goal Tapp’s currently has is to establish Tapp’s Outpost at its new home in Five Points, and then to reach out to local artists and the community. “The biggest thing that we learned from this is that, don’t put all your eggs in one basket, but also, if that basket is awesome, then eventually we’ll put all our eggs there,” Bright said. Floyd said there are always challenges that come with funding for the arts, even though the need is there. “Tapp’s was creating opportunities for local artists to do their work,” Floyd said. “The kind of support, that kind of space [it] provides is pretty important.” Tapp’s Outpost plans to be fully up and running by January 2020.


SPRING GUIDE 9

What a Great Semester Serving our Gamecocks! Stay up to date on what will be happening next semester in dining.


10 SPRING GUIDE

Biscuits to barcades: New, local businesses kick off in Columbia LILY SHAHIDA Arts & Culture Writer

Sneaky Pete’s Since opening Sneaky Pete’s Oct. 15, owner Robert Ballentine has kept one goal at the forefront of his business: To stand out. In a location such as Five Points, packed with bars and restaurants, standing out might seem difficult, but Ballentine said he thinks the food and atmosphere of Sneaky Pete’s give it a leg up against the competition. Ballentine said Sneaky Pete’s menu composed of “fair food mixed with Americana.” He said some standout items include deep-fried Oreos, a hot dog wrapped in bacon served with cheese fries and a doughnut-fried chicken sandwich. For those looking for simpler options, Sneaky Pete’s offers classics such as wings and sliders. The atmosphere is prohibition-themed and retro, Ballentine said, with colorful decorations, such as a stoplight that’s inspired by the era. As for its clientele, Sneaky Pete’s aims to be all-inclusive. “We are a family-friendly restaurant that people can, you know, bring their kids and have a great experience,” Ballentine said. The restaurant features an ice cream bar with plenty of flavors for kids and a liquor moonshine ice cream for adults. “We’re trying to bring something fresh and different to the community,” Ballentine said.

VANESSA PURPURA // THE GAMECOCK

The chef prepares a barbecue cheeseburger topped with onion rings, lettuce and tomato. Sneaky Pete owner Robert Ballantine describes the restaurant’s food as “fair food mixed with Americana.”

COURTESY OF ANNA MORALES

Spa, cafe and exercise studio products are on display at the ribbon cutting of The Well Collective.

The Well Collective A consolidation of a shop, cafe, exercise studio and spa, The Well Collective provides everything needed for a healthy mind and body. Founded by Kelly Holbrook and Hannah Bratcher, The Well Collective opened Aug. 1 and houses many local health and wellness businesses. The Well Collective is comprised of three parts: The shop, the studio and the cafe. Studio Fire, with its infrared heated facilities, is home to a variety of fitness classes, including hot yoga, barre, high-intensity interval training and meditation. The cafe is a plant-driven coffee shop that serves vegan options and hustle smoothies and is available for meetings, events and private parties. The boutique features athletic wear and other wellness-related merchandise, including local or female-owned businesses. In addition, there is an in-house esthetician from Piper Blue Esthetics, a masseuse specializing in reiki, CBD and therapeutic massages and a nutritionist. “We love working with people who pour so much love and passion into what they do,” Holbrook said. Everything at The Well Collective is open to the public, but they also offer memberships. The “All the Things” package provides one month of unlimited classes at the studio, a facial, a massage and credits to the cafe for $222. Holbrook and Bratcher said they “welcome everybody, wherever they’re at in their health and wellness journey.”


SPRING GUIDE 11

Bubba’s Biscuit Bubba’s Biscuit, owned by Arif Rizvi and his daughter Zoya, is classic Southern cooking with a twist. Originally, Rizvi said he thought about turning the space into a coffee shop, but decided he wanted to create something unique that could become a “destination.” That something turned out to be biscuits. Open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, Bubba’s Biscuit takes the classic butter biscuit and serves it with creative toppings, making it a standout option for anyone in search of comfort food. Some popular menu items include classic recipes, such as egg and cheese biscuits and fried chicken with gravy and biscuits, and more extravagant options, such as the Philly cheesesteak or the bang bang shrimp biscuit. Bubba’s Biscuit is a casual, counterservice restaurant, but Rizvi said he puts an emphasis on hospitality and customer service. “We want to give our guests the best experience possible,” Rizvi said.

Transmission Arcade

VANESSA PURPURA // THE GAMECOCK

Bubba’s Biscuit is a casula, counter-service restaurant that serves various savory bowls, breakfast biscuit sandwiches, coffees and drinks.

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Transmission Arcade is bringing the concept of a “barcade” to Main Street. Cam Powell, Josh Rainwater and Bradley Randolph, the brains behind Transmission, plan to open the doors Jan. 1, 2020, but the idea of an arcade bar has already gained traction through pop-up events. Transmission is a spin on a traditional arcade in that it will put equal focus on the bar. They plan to start off with just wine and beer, and will have 12 taps, bottled and canned beverages. There will be a full-service kitchen run by local wing restaurant Smokey Loggins. Transmission plans to feature classic arcade games from the ‘80s and ‘90s, such as Star Wars pinball and NBA Showtime, and to play vinyl records, elevating the experience from a different perspective.


12 SPRING GUIDE

A B C D E F G H

Columbia

MF Columbia Lanes — For both the bowling pros or those who still use bumpers, the bowling alley located on Bush River Road provides the typical bowling experience with an arcade and bar. allet — The Columbia City Ballet has a variety of performances lined up for the spring, including “The Great Gatsby,” “Cinderella” and “Off the Wall.”

olonial Life Arena — Home to USC’s men’s and women’s basketball, Colonial Life Arena also hosts concerts such as Ariana Grande, Jason Aldean and Elton John. reher Island State Park — Take advantage of a sunny day at Dreher State Park, located 30 miles from the heart of Columbia.

scape Plan Columbia — With five set escape rooms and several rotating themes, Escape Plan Columbia is a rainy day activity that will test your puzzle-solving skills.

ILLUSTRATION BY NICOLE FRAZER

MARDY KRAMER Arts & Culture Writer

olf — For both golf pros and those who prefer mini-golf, the outdoor activity is best on a sunny spring day. Frankie’s Fun Park and Three Fountains Recreation are minigolf courses in the Columbia area.

I J K

ce Skating — Plex HiWire in Irmo offers a variety of events on ice: ice hockey, ice skating and figure skating sessions are among the activities open to the public.

rankie’s Fun Park — Grab a group of friends and spend a night playing minigolf, riding go-karts or competing in arcade games at Frankie’s Fun Park.

’s Corner — J’s Corner Restaurant and Bar is a restaurant near Williams-Brice Stadium. Grab some friends and try its sandwiches, all made with fresh brioche, multigrain and pretzel buns.

ockey — Check out the Gamecock hockey team at the Plex in Irmo. Gamecocok hockey will play three home games during the spring semester

ensington Mansion — This historic antebellum mansion in Eastover, South Carolina has been restored and now is open to the public.

SUMMER IN MAINE Males & females. Meet new friends! Travel! Teach your favorite activity.

Kayak Dance Tennis Tennis Dance Kayak Waterski Archery Swim Waterski Swim Archery Gymnastics Land sports Arts Gymnastics Land sports Arts

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O P

L M N

ake Murray — Find a public beach and spend the day swimming, tanning and grilling when the weather starts getting warmer.

useum of Art — The Columbia Museum of Art is exhibiting 12 of Van Gogh’s famous paintings through Jan. 12. This spring’s exhibits include one on hip-hop culture and another about horror and sci-fi art. ickelodeon Theatre — Home to the Indie Grits Film Festival in March, the Nickelodeon Theatre shows indie and alternative films throughout the year.

utdoor adventures — Only 10 minutes from campus, Adventure Carolina in Cayce offers kayaking and canoeing tours, or just a relaxing day by the river. ainting with a Twist — Grab some friends and take a group class, or try a solo class and paint the afternoon away with a glass of wine.


SPRING GUIDE 13

q R S T U

Ses(Q)uicentennial State Park — Have your pick of biking, birdwatching, boating or camping, among other outdoor activities at Sesqui State Park, as it’s affectionately called. ivers — The Congaree, Saluda and Broad rivers are three rivers in Columbia that offer several outdoor activities. Visit the Congaree National Park to hike, fish or canoe. oda City — This Main Street fair is open every Saturday, rain or shine, and features local businesses, food trucks and fresh produce.

own Theatre — Located a block from campus, Town Theatre boasts its 101st show season this year.

nderground Mall — The historic Arcade Mall was built in 1912. The upper floors are a host of artist studios, shops and salons, while the underground basement has been boarded up and abandoned since the ‘70s.

V W X Y Z

The Vista — This part of Gervais Street is a hot spot for food and drink, art galleries and shops.

orld’s Largest Fire Hydrant — Almost 40-feet tall and weighing over 675,000 pounds, this one-of-a-kind attraction is well-known to Columbia locals.

Group X — The group fitness classes are offered at both Blatt and Strom, including yoga, barre, pilates and a host of other workouts on campus.

oga — Fit Columbia, located in Five Points, offers aerial yoga and yoga with baby goats.

oo — The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden boasts more than 2,000 animals from over 350 species worldwide.

Gamecock Entertainment to host comedy, movie events STEPHEN PASTIS Arts & Culture Writer Though it might seem events and concerts drain the bank account, there are programs on campus that provide free entertainment for students. Gamecock Entertainment, the same organization that brought A$AP Ferg, Leslie David Baker and First Night Carolina, will be back with a full schedule next semester. As a multifaceted portion of student life, Gamecock Entertainment helps neighboring organizations schedule activities and events for students. Raegan Brizek, president of Carolina

Productions, said all of the events are free and the “diverse” calendar includes “something that appeals to everyone.” “It really provides some great programming, things that people can do with their friends; gets them out of their dorms or their apartments. It can really help them feel closer to campus,” Brizek said. “You can never go wrong with something that’s free.” As it is only two semesters old, Gamecock Entertainment has worked on becoming a familiar name on campus in order to help student programming. SEE ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 17


14 SPRING GUIDE

Columbia’s best friends —compiled by Kailee Kokes

Chloverine, 10 years old, French bulldog

Bella, 3 months old, longhaired German shepherd

Jesse, 6 years old, boykin spaniel, South Carolina’s state dog breed

Molly Weasly, 5 months, Saint Bernard

Sister and brother Roxie and Dutch, 11 years old, schnoodles (schnauzer and poodle mix).


SPRING GUIDE 15

Hattie, 10.5 months, German shepard-husky mix

Chowbella, 4 months, pitbull CAROLINE WILLIAMSON // THE GAMECOCK

Enmui, 8 years, chihuahua mix

Hagrid, 10 weeks, Saint Bernard

Owned and operated by UofSC alumni Mocho, 2 years, border collie

CAROLINE WILLIAMSON // THE GAMECOCK

@twistedspurbrewing

@spurbrewing

@twisted_spur_brewing

If you are under the age of 21, it is against the law to buy alcoholic beverages. All South Carolina regulations enforced.


16 SPRING GUIDE

SAVANNAH CERNIGLIA // THE GAMECOCK

Indie Grits Film Festival to explore different facets of art SEBASTIAN LEE Arts & Culture Writer Indie Grits Labs is a nonprofit media organization in partnership with the Nickelodeon Theatre that educates the community through artistic endeavors and art projects. In 2020, the organization’s film festival will run from March 26 to 29, hosting events in celebration of music, art, food, video games and over 100 films. “It’s just an opportunity to be surprised and see something that you wouldn’t normally see in Columbia,” said Steffi Brink, the programming manager of Indie Grits Labs. The festival will kick off with “Opening Night in Cottontown,” which takes place across locations in the historic

Cottontown area of Columbia, such as the Curiosity Coffee Bar. This year, Indie Grits is premiering its “Real Fiction” project. “Real Fiction” is about issues with news and media literacy and ways local coverage is being absorbed by large media outlets. “We’re just kind of looking at how our understanding of truth is shifting,” Brink said. Indie Grits Labs have been working with many journalists, artists and filmmakers to create projects around the theme. All works made for “Real Fiction” will premiere during the film festival. Along with the films and projects, there are many events happening throughout the festival. One is Overdue Grits,

which is in collaboration with Richland Library’s overdue event series, evenings where the library is open after hours with live music, art, food and drinks. During the event, Indie Grits will partner with the library to host a variety of workshops varying from creating felt coasters to experiencing virtual reality. Indie Bits Arcade, an arcade that showcases video games made in the Southeast, will be open each day of the festival for attendees to play the large selection of games. In addition to the festival, Indie Grits focuses on media and arts education by hosting adult workshops that teach attendees skills from sewing to filmmaking. Indie Grits also strives to educate the youth about media

and the arts. Mahkia Greene, the Indie Grits media education manager, teaches in-school and after-school programs. Two programs Greene teaches are TakeBreakMake, a program directed for LGBTQ+ youth and allies, and Video Lab, which is about creating media. One new thing Indie Grits Labs is adding to its repertoire is a radio station named “The Grain,” which is based in North Columbia and focuses on that area. “The Grain” is internetbased, with the goal of applying for a low-power FM radio license in the future. Until then, “The Grain” is found exclusively on Indie Grits Labs’ website. “The Grain” will do live broadcasts in February during

“Black Stories,” a series at the Nickelodeon Theatre that explores issues in rural communities, and at the Indie Grits Film Festival. “That’s the cool thing about a new community project, there are a lot of good opportunities for people to get involved from the ground up,” Sherrie Belton, the radio coordinator, said. Involvement is an important part of Indie Grits. Greene said Indie Grits wants a lot of student films, and anyone interested in entering the festival should get in contact with Indie Grits, as it is “always looking for people to help out.” The deadline for submission for the festival is Dec. 23. Filmmakers can submit at indiegrits.org/festival/film/ submit/.


SPRING GUIDE 17 FROM ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 13

Beyond establishing a name for itself, it has branded together with Carolina Productions, Homecoming, Dance Marathon, Thursdays After Dark and Gamecock Picture Show. Many events and opportunities that students have seen around campus in the fall semester have been Gamecock Entertainment’s handiwork. Next semester, the organization is planning another comedy show because of the success from Leslie David Baker’s appearance in October. So many people showed up to the event in Russell House that it was standing room only. Not only will it be looking to host at the much larger Koger Center, but it is going to be having a celebrity comedian of students’ choosing, based on a now-closed survey with possibilities such as Josh Peck, David Koechner, Marlon Wayans, Rachel Bloom and others. Jacob Hoffman, who will be the Carolina Productions president this spring, said he values student input and participation heavily for the club, such as with the comedian survey. “One thing that I’m really trying to accomplish is making sure students are coming to our events, and that we’re planning the types of events that students want to see,” Hoffman said.

Other events next semester include movie showings and an acoustic event called Project Patio. Campus Movie Fest, a weeklong, campus-wide competition aided and funded by an Atlanta-based film company, allows students to create short films that culminate in an award show. All students will be able to take part in the competition, and there will be prizes for the best voted films. Last year, USC broke the record for the most student submissions at a university. Students can expect relatively new events to student entertainment at USC. In a partnership with freshman council, there will be a dating game event hosted by a celebrity in February. Early in the semester, there will be several events surrounding Thursday After Dark’s “Week of Wicked,” for which the organization has paid for a number of students to see the Broadway production of “Wicked” at the Koger Center. During the same week, Carolina Productions has its “Defying Gravity” event with inflatables and Dance Marathon’s Forever to Thee Kids Day. “Just having a full week dedicated to, kind of like a city-wide event ... that’s something that we haven’t done, especially within Gamecock Entertainment. We haven’t really had a week where we’ve all kind of collaborated on an event or an effort, so that will be really exciting,” Brizek said.

SHREYAS SABOO // THE GAMECOCK

Students get Pelican’s SnoBalls during Spring Fest last year. Bryce Vine headlined the event on Greene Street.

Gamecock Entertainment’s roster for spring events will be finalized and a full calendar of events should be available for students after winter break.

carolina alert is the emergency preparedness resource for students Visit sc.edu/CarolinaAlert to sign up for text and email alerts. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @CarolinaAlert to stay updated!


18 SPRING GUIDE

Indah Coffee has goal to grow community at Soda City SARAH CRONIN Arts & Culture Writer

N

ick Hauser, founder and owner of Indah Coffee, had always drank coffee, but while exploring Southeast Asia with his wife Stefani, his fondness of coffee began brewing into a passion. However, during his travels, Hauser surprisingly found he was less than enthused by the selection of coffee. “I started asking all the local restaurants and hawker stands and the guys, you know, ‘Where can I find a real cup of coffee?’ and everybody would hold up the Nescafé packet,” Hauser said. “I was really disappointed because everything is grown like a mile from where it is actually served.” Everything except for coffee, of course. After constantly searching for a decent cup, one waiter at a restaurant mentioned his friend who works with coffee was coming to town and bringing some of the supply. Hauser was immediately intrigued when he first saw the raw coffee, which is green. Before the Hausers knew it, they were flying to Sumatra with the man and touring different coffee farms to learn about the processes. Hauser then had his first roasting lesson, which involved rolling coffee beans in a wok over an open fire, and was immediately hooked. As a result, he bought a few extra suitcases, packed them all with raw coffee and ordered a small home coffee roaster upon returning to the U.S. “I’ve enjoyed coffee, but I never realized how beautiful it could be if it was properly done,” Hauser said. Hauser started out trying different roasting methods for friends and family who eventually encouraged him to take his coffee to the All-Local Market on Whaley Street in 2010. After that, Hauser opened a tent at Soda City. There, he realized the power behind coffee. More than just a beverage, he began to see coffee as a community builder, even growing a base of Saturday regulars who came for their coffee fix. Eric Williams has been an Indah Coffee customer since “day one” and often spends up to two hours at least twice a week at the shop, working and enjoying the coffee.

Indah Coffee has a pop-up at Soda City each week just down the street from its Main Street location.

“I suppose there is someone who has been coming here longer, but I went to the first one like the day it opened, and so I’ve been coming here since,” Williams said. Business at Indah’s tent grew over the years, and Hauser began roasting for other businesses and coffee shops in the area. The Hausers eventually turned their detached garage into a roasting facility licensed by the Department of Agriculture until business exceeded the vicinity’s capacity. In 2017, a new Indah Coffee storefront opened on Sumter Street. Unlike any other coffee shop in Columbia, Indah has its cafe in the front and roastery in the back, complete with a cupping room, where customers can taste different coffees and learn about the roasting process. More recently, Indah Coffee expanded to a second storefront on Main Street. One drink in particular has brought the cafe a lot of attention: the Thai coffee. The drink consists of a sweet house-made condensed coconut milk and either regular or cinnamon cold brew coffee, depending on the location. Employee Nathan Leonard said it is the

ALYSSA RASP // THE GAMECOCK

most popular drink on the menu, especially in the summer. Hauser created the drink after spending time in Thailand. Although the drink is served cold and was originally supposed to be seasonal, he admits there were a few revolts when they tried to discontinue the drink during the winter months. Daniel Paul is a weekly customer at Indah Coffee’s tent at Soda City, and he credits his frequency to the fact that Indah is the only place with Thai coffee, noting it is definitely one of the highlights of Soda City. “It’s just different than anything else that they have, and I feel like it’s got a little bit more caffeine as well, a little more kick to it,” Paul said. Hauser grew his business based on authenticity because he enjoyed the idea of creating a local coffee shop that offers a new perspective on the beverage. “We are just delighted to be a part of the growing community and culture and the fabric of this great region, this great city,” Hauser said. “I’m excited to share beautiful coffee with as many people as we can.”


SPRING GUIDE 19

soda city talent easel cathedral Trahern Cook, also known as Easel Cathedral, is a Columbia artist who has been going to Soda City for about four years. He described his art as experiential and relational, meaning a lot of his work was based on experiences and customer and animal relations that happen

throughout the day at the market. He often uses Soda City as inspiration “because we’re all here together doing this cool thing, and then for our city, how cool is this? You have all these makers that are congregating [and making] really cool stuff.”

Brian patrick

—compiled by Kailee Kokes

Cook said he always had a love of art, though he has undergone many stylistic changes throughout his time as an artist. He used to work a lot as an illustrator and tried to make his art more marketable for that field before he found his niche in painting.

Brian Patrick is a musician who has been at Soda City since the start. He plays a handmade instrument he invented called the “vocalin,” which combines an autotune contraption and a violin. He began with an electric violin and tried to make it sound like a guitar, then discovered a

contraption that allowed him to sing through the violin talk box. While Patrick said the creation was not a novel concept, it was new to violins. “I just saw that there were so many violinists out there, and all of them are good, but I wanted to set myself different from the rest,” Patrick said.

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sometimes, and Ayden said he likes dancing with his brother and even teaches him a few moves here and there. “I dance to make people happy,” Cobb said. “Sometimes people are sad, and they have a feeling, when they’re hurt and in a wheelchair, and they can just move their arms, and when they see me they might move their arms and dance with the music.”

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20 SPRING GUIDE

Saturdays AT SODA CITY PHILLIP HOOPINGARNER // THE GAMECOCK

Rain or shine, Soda City Market has been a trademark of Columbia’s Main Street since 2012. Each Saturday, vendors from around the state line the streets with artisan crafts and local fare. Students and families alike filter through three blocks of booths and street musicians, encountering a number of furry friends along the way. Check out some of the market’s businesses and feed your brain, body and belly.

Boiled Pnuts Y’all sets up shop on a rainy Saturday at Soda City Nov. 23, 2019.

Boiled Pnuts Y’all! creates flavorful peanuts

HANNAH HARPER Arts & Culture Writer

F

or almost six years, Michael and Era Pope have supplied Columbia and the surrounding area with spicy and regular boiled peanuts of different sizes, hot chocolate in the winter and cake on a stick. The idea for Boiled Pnuts Y’all sprouted from Michael Pope’s rock band. He sold his signature boiled peanuts as merchandise to promote his music at shows, and people loved it so much they encouraged him to start his business. The band is no longer together, but the business that came from it continues to thrive. One of Michael Pope’s favorite things about Soda City is the people, he said. The business has only missed a handful of Saturdays since opening. On average, he said they see close to 5,000 people on a typical Saturday. “Everybody’s just in a good mood and just wants to have fun,” he said. Era Pope said her favorite aspect of

Soda City is seeing tourists from all over the country. “My favorite part of Soda City is just being able to come downtown once a week and help make a community that is both awesome for the local community and helps to really spotlight Columbia to the rest of the country,” she said. Soda City has allowed the boiled peanuts business to expand outside of the Main Street market. Boiled Pnuts Y’all caters and sells its products in an antique store, Re-Find, located off Two Notch Road. “I love South Carolinians’ excitement about boiled peanuts,” Era Pope said. “We have this really cool sort of position, in that we’re selling our state snack and we’re selling this food that people have been eating for, really, hundreds of years, and it has a lot of connection to family and friends and nostalgia and also just good times.” Boiled Pnuts Y’all can also be found on social media. Its YouTube channel includes a parody video hosted by Era Pope called “Martha Stewart Thanksgiving Parody (with boiled

peanuts, y’all),” where she gives Thanksgiving-themed recipes and advice. Michael Pope said business thrives even on rainy weekends. “Thanks to the stability of Soda City, the consistency of it, we get to just focus on boiled peanuts and art instead of getting jobs,” he said. Some vendors in Soda City don’t have a permanent spot, but the Popes can be found in the same spot outside the Columbia Museum of Art every Saturday. “We’ve been here so long that this is our static spot. They never move us around,” Michael Pope said. “We like being the art outside of the museum.” The little shack on wheels has always been a part of Boiled Pnuts Y’all’s image, but the business has seen different ones through its lifetime. The one seen in Soda City now has been around for two years, and Michael Pope built it himself. “I love Soda City, and it’s facilitated a ‘90s punk kid selling Southern culture to tourists,” he said.

Southern

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20 SPRING GUIDE

SPRING GUIDE 21

Saturdays AT SODA CITY PHILLIP HOOPINGARNER // THE GAMECOCK

Rain or shine, Soda City Market has been a trademark of Columbia’s Main Street since 2012. Each Saturday, vendors from around the state line the streets with artisan crafts and local fare. Students and families alike filter through three blocks of booths and street musicians, encountering a number of furry friends along the way. Check out some of the market’s businesses and feed your brain, body and belly.

Fresh finds at Soda City: Avocado Toast SC MERRITT HALL Arts & Culture Writer

U

ALYSSA RASP // THE GAMECOCK

Avocado Toast SC is popular at Soda City. The trendy item is made to order in front of the customer.

Boiled Pnuts Y’all sets up shop on a rainy Saturday at Soda City Nov. 23, 2019.

Boiled Pnuts Y’all! creates flavorful peanuts

HANNAH HARPER Arts & Culture Writer

F

or almost six years, Michael and Era Pope have supplied Columbia and the surrounding area with spicy and regular boiled peanuts of different sizes, hot chocolate in the winter and cake on a stick. The idea for Boiled Pnuts Y’all sprouted from Michael Pope’s rock band. He sold his signature boiled peanuts as merchandise to promote his music at shows, and people loved it so much they encouraged him to start his business. The band is no longer together, but the business that came from it continues to thrive. One of Michael Pope’s favorite things about Soda City is the people, he said. The business has only missed a handful of Saturdays since opening. On average, he said they see close to 5,000 people on a typical Saturday. “Everybody’s just in a good mood and just wants to have fun,” he said. Era Pope said her favorite aspect of

Soda City is seeing tourists from all over the country. “My favorite part of Soda City is just being able to come downtown once a week and help make a community that is both awesome for the local community and helps to really spotlight Columbia to the rest of the country,” she said. Soda City has allowed the boiled peanuts business to expand outside of the Main Street market. Boiled Pnuts Y’all caters and sells its products in an antique store, Re-Find, located off Two Notch Road. “I love South Carolinians’ excitement about boiled peanuts,” Era Pope said. “We have this really cool sort of position, in that we’re selling our state snack and we’re selling this food that people have been eating for, really, hundreds of years, and it has a lot of connection to family and friends and nostalgia and also just good times.” Boiled Pnuts Y’all can also be found on social media. Its YouTube channel includes a parody video hosted by Era Pope called “Martha Stewart Thanksgiving Parody (with boiled

peanuts, y’all),” where she gives Thanksgiving-themed recipes and advice. Michael Pope said business thrives even on rainy weekends. “Thanks to the stability of Soda City, the consistency of it, we get to just focus on boiled peanuts and art instead of getting jobs,” he said. Some vendors in Soda City don’t have a permanent spot, but the Popes can be found in the same spot outside the Columbia Museum of Art every Saturday. “We’ve been here so long that this is our static spot. They never move us around,” Michael Pope said. “We like being the art outside of the museum.” The little shack on wheels has always been a part of Boiled Pnuts Y’all’s image, but the business has seen different ones through its lifetime. The one seen in Soda City now has been around for two years, and Michael Pope built it himself. “I love Soda City, and it’s facilitated a ‘90s punk kid selling Southern culture to tourists,” he said.

Southern Grace offers handmade jewelry at Soda City ASHLEE GAINEY Arts & Culture Writer

T

hough Soda City might be Columbia’s local market, vendors travel from all across South Carolina to participate. Southern Grace, a Rock Hill-based jewelry business, is one such vendor, making trips once or twice a month to set up shop on Main Street. Daphne Mahon, the owner of Southern Grace, said she wishes Rock Hill had something similar to Columbia’s Soda City. Mahon has been in the retail business for 19 years. Before selling at Soda City, she owned a retail boutique in Rock Hill. After retiring, she decided she wanted to do something fun on the side, and handcrafted jewelry becoming her hobby of choice. Aside from being an enjoyable pastime, a major reason Mahon said she founded Southern Grace was her two daughters, who both love jewelry. Her youngest daughter, Grace, is the inspiration behind the business’ name. Like many other Soda City vendors, Southern Grace’s jewelry is 100% handmade. Because of this personal touch, Mahon said she believes it is important customers buy from her. “I think handmade and shopping local with artisans is a great idea,” Mahon said. One of Mahon’s favorite pieces she sells comes straight from the woods and onto Main Street during

Soda City. She collects deer antlers she finds from the woods and makes necklaces out of them. For those not into deer antler jewelry, other items on sale include leather bracelets, beaded chokers and hand-cut earrings. Southern Grace even sells Gamecock apparel for game day or just for showing off school spirit. “I bought this rainbow choker. I love all the colors in it and I like the shape,” customer Kiley Culbertson said. Culbertson said she believes the colors in the jewelry will go with almost anything and add to her outfit. Mahon said she tries to make sure everybody, from young teenagers to adults, can find something they like. “This is a great opportunity for not only students, but everybody that lives here to come out on Saturday,” Mahon said. One of her personal favorite things about selling at Soda City is meeting so many people and their dogs. Among the many new faces that circulate through the market are some familiar faces, which Mahon especially enjoys. “I love when people come back and shop again,” Mahon said. Southern Grace can be found once or twice a month at Soda City. Mahon’s booth has a new location every time she comes to sell.

pon arriving in South Carolina, Jamila Musayeva, owner of Avocado Toast SC, was a new mom whose son had a great love for avocados. On their weekly Saturday trips to Soda City, though, Musayeva said they noticed a lack in healthy food options. She said she believed avocado toast needed to be brought to Soda City. For roughly six months, Musayeva waited, thinking somebody would start something, but nobody did. So, she took it upon herself to bring avocado toast to the heart of Columbia each Saturday morning. As avocado toast trends took off in 2017, Musayeva was ahead of the curve when she opened Avocado Toast SC in May of 2016. Musayeva said she holds her food to high standards. “It has to be fresh. It’s never a premade mash or guacamole as a base. It’s always fresh avocado that’s cut in front of a client,” Musayeva said. Avocado Toast SC uses up to 240 avocados in a given day and sells out every week. The base is always the same sourdough bread with mashed avocado. From there, fresh lime is squeezed on top, and the toast is seasoned with salt and pepper. If customers wish to take it a step further, they can choose to add hard boiled eggs or various seasonal ingredients to their toast. This includes items such as squash, goat cheese, grilled tomatoes, cucumber and parsley salad with corn. “We also try to source locally.

A lot of our ingredients come from the surrounding area. We get microgreens from City Roots,” Musayeva said. Avocado Toast SC aims to create nutritionally dense food that enables people to get the most out of their breakfast or lunch. Grace Hamilton, a first-year environmental studies student, said she enjoys the freshness of avocado toast. “For breakfast, it’s really nice to just get some good produce,” Hamilton said. For Hamilton, Soda City is a close and convenient way to get off campus. “You can truly see the diversity that Columbia has to offer. Being a part of that is an honor,” Musayeva said. Musayeva said Soda City provided her with the opportunity to start a business without an extremely large overhead. As a result, she is able to make money and work towards opening a brick-andmortar restaurant. In fact, Musayeva is working on opening a plant-based cafe on State Street in Columbia in 2020. “That’s all thanks to Soda City. I would not have been able to do it without Soda City,” Musayeva said. Musayeva said she has been surprised by how well-received Avocado Toast SC has been, as not very many people are drawn to plant-based diets in South Carolina. She said it is pleasing to see customers branch out of their comfort zones and try avocados for the first time. Avocado Toast SC can be found at Soda City on Main Street every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.


22 SPRING GUIDE

Dance Marathon hopes to shatter more records

HOLLY POAG News Writer

Dance Marathon is an organization that comes together to raise funds for those in need of treatment plans, child life specialists and more to improve the lives of children at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital through Children’s Miracle Network’s Child Life Program. Dance Marathon’s 2020 campaign is “more than,” to inspire patients to believe they are more than their illnesses and disabilities. “We sort of bring that in with everything we do, so that campaign encompasses everything that we want to accomplish for the year,” Julian Masters, Dance Marathon’s vice president of communications, s a i d . “ We ’ r e ‘ m o r e t h a n ’ a n

ABIGAIL GREEN // THE GAMECOCK

Dance Marathon celebrates raising more than $1 million during last year’s Main Event.

organization; we’re ‘more than’ just some students that wanted to get involved. It’s ‘more than’ one kid; it’s ‘more than’ one miracle.”

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Dance Marathon is the biggest student-run philanthropic organization on campus. Through the fall semester, the organization holds various fundraisers, such as Day of Miracles and Rave to Raise. The Main Event will be held Feb. 29 from 10 a.m. to midnight. It consists of a 14-hour, no sitting or resting dance marathon that celebrates the efforts of the organization’s members to raise money and encouragement for patients at Prisma. “The atmosphere at Main Event, it’s just crazy, how people can still be so excited after 13 hours of dancing and being there all day with barely any food,” second-year student Jensen Bernard said. “There’s a lot of love in the air.” Patients and their families also

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participate in the event, and their presence shows students how much of an impact they are making through Dance Marathon, thirdyear chemical engineering student Brina Staviski said. “My favorite thing has been meeting all the miracle families and really being able to see the impact that we have, as well as the family atmosphere that’s at Main Event,” Staviski said. Third-year nursing student Julia Treanor has been involved with Dance Marathon since her sophomore year. She said she was motivated to join by her sorority sister and instantly fell in love with the program. “I love getting to see people find their connection to it, and it doesn’t always have to be some big, deep, ‘This happened to me, this happened to a loved one,’” Treanor said. “I had never met a group of people that was so passionate about something.” Currently, Dance Marathon’s staff consists of about 180 to 200 people, but the surrounding groups, such as Greek life, add up to many more. The members are always looking for students to join their philanthropic efforts. Last year, the organization raised $1,038,156 for Prisma Health Hospital, making it the second year in a row it raised more than $1 million. This year, Dance Marathon is pushing to exceed $1 million for the third consecutive year.


SPRING GUIDE 23

‘Party of the Year’ begins as Relay for Life kicks off ELLIE UPSHAW News Writer The “Party of the Year” officially kicked off, as Relay for Life began its annual fundraiser in support of the American Cancer Society. Relay for Life made its way to USC in 2003 and has been hosting a wide variety of events to raise money to battle cancer. At USC, the event usually raises over $180,000, and proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. From there, the money is used to support patients through treatment by not only paying for any treatment, but by providing lodging and rides while they’re away from home receiving treatment. In October, male students dressed in bras on the Russell House patio for the Relay for Life theme kickoff party. The event, “Bros in Bras,” took place in an effort to raise money for Breast

Cancer Awareness Month and announced this year’s theme, “Party of the Year.” “Bros in Bras” is one of the many events Relay for Life participants will be hosting in order to meet their goal of $200,000. Some of the events include a bowling night, paint wars and a “Bark for Life,” which is Relay for Life for dogs. While all the smaller events contribute to the cause, the Main Event is where most of the money for this charitable event is raised. Blake Jones, a third-year biology student and codirector of the Main Event, said it’s supposed to “mirror cancer treatment” over the 12 hours of the event, from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. “5 [p.m.], it’s going to very shortly after that start getting kind of dark. By midnight, it’s supposed to be the rock bottom point, where it’s coldest and darkest, and then throughout the rest of the night, by the time you’re done,

you start seeing the sun come up, which is supposed to be symbolic of positive treatment, remission, that kind of thing” Jones said. At the Main Event, there will be activities to do in order to keep all the teams awake and morale high, such as performances by local bands. In the past, the event had a show hosted by drag queens. Many of the teams bring cornhole, tug of war and spike balls to host different tournaments through the night. “The idea is that cancer never sleeps, so neither do we,” said Alyssa Powers, a fourthyear elementary education student and co-director of the Main Event. One of the more serious moments of the night is the Luminaria C e r e m o n y. The Luminaria Ceremony is where all the

Students engage with community through The Big Event AMONI JERMAN News Writer

Two springs ago, Sustainable Carolina brought The Big Event to USC, a one-day event intended to get students to engage with local members of Columbia through community service.

The Big Event was created by Texas A&M in 1982 as a way to show support to its surrounding community. Since then, it has expanded to over 100 campuses nationwide, including schools such as Virginia Tech, University of Delaware, Louisiana State University and Mississippi State. SEE BIG EVENT PAGE 27

WILL ROBERTSON // THE GAMECOCK

A dancing shark entertains the crowd during last year’s Relay for Life event.

lights are shut off on the field and the participating teams release a floating lantern in honor of anyone they know who has battled cancer. After the lanterns are released, the participants will take a lap around the track in silence in order to honor all of the people who have battled cancer. “It’s a really good way to

give back to your community and just help cancer patients feel appreciated, and their families feel appreciated,” Brice Laney, a second-year pharmacy student, said. Students who want to get involved with Relay for Life can join a team or register to walk during the Main Event.

Dec. 7 - 14 Take a break from finals at the Russell House! Puzzles! Bubble wrap! Coloring pages! Massage therapy!

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24 SPRING GUIDE

Spring weather calls for outdoor adventures

KENNA COE Assistant Arts & Culture Editor

In Columbia, typically the chilly weather doesn’t last long into the spring, and soon warm weather will be calling for days spent in the sun. Columbia offers many outdoor activities within a short driving distance to escape the busyness of downtown and campus life for a few hours. The only national park in South Carolina is located 30 minutes from downtown Columbia. Congaree National Park is known for its bottomland forests with surrounding wetlands that cover 27,000 acres, making it the largest forest of its kind in the Southeast. There are several walking trails that weave throughout the forest, ranging from less than one mile to almost 12. The national park accommodates other outdoor activities with its campgrounds, boat landings and fishing areas. Harbison State Forest is a 20-minute drive from downtown Columbia and is one of the largest parks inside city limits of a metropolitan area in the Southeast, according to its website. The 18 miles of trails are designed for walking or biking and include a range of difficulties. There’s also a boat landing that enters the Broad River for kayaks and canoes. Sesquicentennial State Park, nicknamed “Sesqui,” is another park that’s convenient to downtown Columbia within a 20-minute drive. Day activities include hiking and biking trails, picnic areas and fishing. There’s a fenced in dog park for furry friends to roam free with a permit, but leashed dogs are allowed throughout the park. The park has a retreat center for groups to stay overnight and several camping sites. Columbia’s surrounding rivers provide relief from the city’s famously hot temperatures. Known

INFOGRAPHIC BY OLIVIA HARVEY// THE GAMECOCK

as the Three Rivers Region, the Saluda and Broad rivers converge into the Congaree River. River tubing or kayaking can be accessed at several locations, such as the Palmetto Outdoor Center at the West Columbia Riverwalk Park, Saluda Shoals Park and Adventure Carolina in Cayce. For a less adventurous outing, there are several walking trails near the river, including Riverfront Park and West Columbia Riverwalk Park. If walking through forests or floating down the river doesn’t sound appealing, there are other ways to explore Columbia in the springtime.

The South Carolina State Farmers Market sells local, in-season produce every day of the week. The vendors and farmers are available to answer questions about the produce and current agricultural trends. Wingard’s Market is a year-round garden center in Lexington that sells seasonal flowers, trees and some fruit. There’s also a fresh produce market with products from local farms, including seafood, vegetables, eggs and cheese. Most local farmers markets don’t open until at least April. Mural hopping is a way to spend time exploring Columbia without

leaving downtown. Public art has been popping up in several areas, including Five Points, the Vista, Devine Street and Main Street. One of Columbia’s most wellknown murals is “Tunnelvision,” created by Blue Sky in 1975. It’s located on Hampton Street, in the same parking lot as the world’s largest fire hydrant. A new mural on Gervais Street unveiled this past spring, “Lady Vista,” was created by Caitlyn Maloney and includes an upside-down face with sunglasses and colorful shapes surrounding the image.


SPRING GUIDE 25

The “it’s totally nobody’s business but mine” birth control. The Implant. Now FREE or low-cost. Stop by the USC Center for Health & Well-Being or visit whoopsproofsc.org. Fees for extra services requested or required are not covered by WhoopsProofSC. Valid only for students at participating colleges & universities in South Carolina thru 12/31/2019. Schedule an appointment to review your eligibility.


26 SPRING GUIDE

Uncover Columbia’s hidden restaurant gems

ALYSSA RASP // THE GAMECOCK

While Blue Flour Bakery is a popular shop known for its cookies, it also offers sandwiches, other baked goods and savory dishes.

SEKANI ADEBIMPE Arts & Culture Writer Columbia is home to a diverse group of restaurants that feature culturally unique cuisines. While students have managed to find some of their favorite places to grab a bite, there are some places that go unnoticed, whether the location is obscure or word-of-mouth is less pronounced. However, their level of quality cannot be understated. Here are three of the hidden gems around Columbia that you should consider checking out. Blue Flour Bakery The Main Street District of Columbia is widely regarded as the home of the Soda City Market Saturday mornings, the Indie Grits Festival and a plethora of other attractions and festivities. It’s also the place delicate restaurants call their home. Near the entrance of the Main Street District is Blue Flour Bakery, a coffee and pastry shop known best for its large

cookies and bars alongside its seasonal promotions. With a wide selection of sandwiches and bowls to compliment the rest of the bakery, Blue Flour Bakery hosts a welcoming atmosphere perfect for students craving a new place to eat or study. “We find that we are a good spot to study for exams, do homework or just to come in and grab a latte and avocado toast with friends,” owner Teri Pringle said in an email interview. Blue Flour Bakery also prepares specialty pastries to celebrate the holidays. “We will have gingerbread,” Pringle said about Blue Flour’s seasonal offerings. “That is only from November through the end of December.” D’s Wings Nothing beats a great sports bar to enjoy a game; even more so when wings are served. Situated comfortably in Parkland Plaza is D’s Wings, a familyowned restaurant whose origins date back to 1988, but reopened under the ownership of Billy Rentz and Scott

Thurber in 1995. Though it boasts a large menu that also encompasses steaks, ribs and seafood, the quaint location of D’s Wings remains one of its most striking features. The walls are decorated with hundreds of dollar bills that give the restaurant its own flair. “[Customers] commemorate birthdays, anniversaries, friends,” and other special occasions at the restaurant, co-owner Scott Thurber said. Thurber said he believes the restaurant’s status as a family-owned business distinguishes it from other national wing-stop chains. D’s Wings also hosts daily specials that attract people to the restaurant, from Tuesday’s all-you-can-eat crab legs to Thursday’s discounted ribs. However, one night manages to attract large groups of students more effectively than any other day. “Monday night is our big wing night,” Thurber said. On this night, wings are sold at 69 cents each in-store only, making it a more affordable option for students

craving a plate of their favorite wings. Kao Thai Cuisine Occupying part of a former fire station on Senate Street, Kao Thai Cuisine houses an open-concept design with modern architecture. The food complements the restaurant. Described on its website as “a mix of creative pan-Asian fusion dishes,” there is a varied selection of noodle, rice and curry dishes that are prepared with fresh ingredients. All of the menu items fit onto a single page, providing ample opportunity to appreciate the fusion dishes. Its location on the back of Senate Street can obscure its visibility. Sunshine Cobb, Kao Thai Cuisine’s co-owner and USC alumna, acknowledged this but said she is optimistic about the visibility of the restaurant in the near future. She said renovations, such as installing lights in unoccupied portions of the building, are planned. “Revamping this building is a plus to Park Street and Gervais, in general,” Cobb said.


SPRING GUIDE 27 FROM BIG EVENT PAGE 23

For USC, The Big Event is all about bridging the gap between students and community members by engaging. “In theory, we’re only here for four years. So, you look at somebody who’s a homeowner in this area, and they’ve been here for 10, 15 years. They see how Columbia has changed over that time, and we only see how it’s changed over our short window,” co-director Jackson Eliasek said. “It’s important for us to try and look at these organizations that we help, or these community members that we help, and see, like, what is Columbia’s need?” The Big Event was introduced to promote social sustainability, a process for making sustainable successful places that promote well-being by understanding what others need from the places they live and work. “USC has so many negative effects on the area. Of course, we bring in a

lot of positives,” Eliasek said. “The Vista wouldn’t exist without the university, or, like, the Statehouse wouldn’t be as nice without the university ... but there’s the other half of that, which is, when students go tailgating, they just leave their trash.” Eliasek said The Big Event strives to help students understand they “do drain the community of resources” and they are “not only a part of the USC community, [they’re] also a part of the greater Columbia community.” “What’s really important about The Big Event, is that it’s about building community,” Eliasek said. “The main mission of The Big Event is to connect USC students to community members and to show that we actually care about the Columbia community as a whole.” The Babcock Center, a nonprofit organization that supports adults with lifelong disabilities, participated as a community member with The Big Event this spring. Public relations specialist Angel Cheatwood said volunteers came to the center to help

“beautify” the area. “They were actually really inquisitive about the Babcock Center; so, to learn more about, you know, who we are and what we do,” Cheatwood said. “It was nice to know that the students that are participating and volunteering are getting to know the agencies that they partner with, and learning about, sort of, who they’re volunteering with and what impact everyone’s making in the community.” COURTESY OF JACKSON ELIASEK Third-year public relations student Students volunteer in Columbia for USC’s The Chase Arledge said his favorite Big Event last year. community service project was going to an elderly couple’s home to help community members to participate them with yard work. will open soon. “In that moment, I was able to see “I was facilitating the service; just someone who was in such need and to even feel that kind of community coming from such a sincere place,” bond, from not even being the person Arledge said. “We were able to who’s serving, but just to be able to actually afford to put mulch in her be there for someone who is in need yard, and she made cookies for our and coming from such a sincere volunteers.” place; probably one of my favorite The third annual The Big Event will moments,” Arledge said. take place April 4, 2020. Registration for students to volunteer and for

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28 SPRING GUIDE

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SPRING GUIDE 29

Solo Saturdays:

How to spend the weekend in Columbia KAILEY COTA News Writer Tailgating and watching football is a staple of any fall Saturday, but as the season winds down, members of the USC community might find themselves with extra time on their hands. While Saturdays might now be delegated for sleeping in or catching up on work or chores, Columbia offers a wide variety of activities that Gamecocks might be interested in. For the outdoorsy The West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater provide guests with convenient access to experience nature in the midst of the city. For students, it can be a nice resource to escape the bustle of campus and spend time outdoors. “I think it’s good to have a place where you can go walk around and not have to worry about the traffic,” secondyear biology student Grace Towery said. Riverwalk also provides visitors with a “flat, easy-walking, paved trail that follows the old towpath of the Columbia Canal,” according to South Carolina Trails. Moreover, the website says the amphitheater occasionally hosts events such as concerts, theatrical performances, fundraisers and marriage ceremonies. Not only can visitors walk through the Riverwalk, but they can also experience nature by floating down the Saluda, Broad or Congaree rivers, one of the park’s lesser known ventures. Palmetto Outdoors is another

resource that hosts tubing options, guided kayaking tours and white water rafting trips. The cheapest of these options, the “Grab n’ Go” tubing special, is “great for people who want to create their own river adventure,” according to Palmetto Outdoor’s website. With this rental, guests can take tubes wherever public river access is allowed. “I enjoy being near the water,” Towery said. “That can be therapeutic and calming.” For the artsy Nonprofit organization One Columbia believes “Public art and design elements that define public space enhance the visual quality of the community by providing color and character,” according to the organization’s website. One Columbia’s website features a public art directory, a map that marks almost 130 public art pieces around the Midlands and provides pictures and descriptions of the artwork. “Our job is really to connect the ones who are doing the creation with people that might want to experience it,” Lee Snelgrove, the One Columbia executive director, said. Students can use the public art directory to guide themselves around Columbia, hopping from artwork to artwork, or they can request a private walking tour. “The ultimate goal is just to bring more attention to Columbia as a hub of arts and culture,” Snelgrove said. Snelgrove encourages people to engage in multiple facets of the arts

throughout Columbia such as visiting art museums, attending Trustus or Philharmonic performances, trying out First Thursday on Main and experiencing the festivals that visit Columbia each year. A little bit for everyone Soda City Market, which hosts over 150 vendors each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., is a “microcosm of Columbia, a melting pot of cultures, and an inviting community experience worth making a part of your regular weekend routine,” according to the official Soda City website. Public relations director for the Soda City Market, Heather Curtif, highlighted Petite Floor, Avocado Toast, CLT Boutique, Magnolia Thyme and Roots and Fruits as a few of the vendors that she thinks would especially appeal to college students. She said the multitude of cultures represented at Soda City are a means to display the diversity of Columbia. “There’s art, and there’s culture, and there’s food and all of those things mixed together are what make Columbia so unique, but often go under the radar,” Curtif said. Aside from gaining new perspectives, Curtif said Soda City is a leisurely way to start your Saturday off right, and she sees the market as somewhat of a social pinnacle. “You go out there, and you might not have any plans to meet up with friends, but you end up running into people you know and catching up,” she said. “You form a sense of community that builds stronger and stronger each Saturday.”

CAROLINE WILLIAMSON // THE GAMECOCK


30 SPRING GUIDE

Home Away From Home Text (803) 739-0899 for details www.caycecove.com

HALEY SALVADOR // THE GAMECOCK

Carlton Thompson, known on campus as Gamecock Jesus, cheers at the women’s basketball game against Vanderbilt in 2018. Gamecock Jesus makes appearances at games throughout the season.

Column:

Basketball season is underappreciated AUDREY ELSBERRY Opinion Writer

As football season comes to a close, some students here at South Carolina might be mourning their role as sports spectators. No more shuttles to Williams-Brice Stadium, no more watching the football team go out there and try their best. Post-football depression is valid. However, our days cheering on the Gamecocks are far from over. Both women’s and men’s basketball are just as, if not more, exciting than football. Especially at the start of football season, the outdoor seating is a major downside to attending the game. The metal benches act as a frying pan to the 80,000 fans cheering inside for three hours at a time. Colonial Life Arena is indoors, so even on the rainiest days, watching the game is as comfortable as a cheering student section can be. A temperature-controlled environment

makes attending the game that much more enjoyable. Taking the shuttle to WilliamsBrice can be a part of the fun of game day. However, getting to the game can often take longer than the game itself. Colonial Life Arena is far closer to most student housing than the stadium, making the commute to the game more convenient. The area is walkable from most student residences as well. That means no more $20 Ubers or waiting for the shuttles to bring you back to campus. If your SC Rewards points are not up to par, you might spend most of your games at WilliamsBrice in the upper deck. The view is incredible: The whole stadium spread out before you, all of the students jumping together like one living organism. While this view makes for good pictures, it is almost impossible to see what is happening on the field. SEE BASKETBALL PAGE 31


Guide to Colonial Life Arena’s four biggest shows

COURTESY OF TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

From left to right: Jason Aldean, KISS, Post Malone and Elton John. These four popular musicians are coming to Colonial Life Arena in the spring semester.

SAVANNAH TRANTER Arts & Culture Writer Everybody needs something to look forward to when they need a break from papers, presentations and exams. Colonial Life Arena, home to Gamecock men’s and women’s basketball, also hosts notable concerts with one-of-a-kind experiences next door to campus. The first artist coming to the arena in the spring semester is country musician Jason Aldean on his We Back Tour. Aldean will kick off his tour Jan. 30 in Columbia following the release of his appropriately titled ninth studio album, “9.” Since his 2005 debut, Aldean has found stardom with six certified platinum albums, the most successful being multi-platinum albums “My Kinda Party” and “Night Train.” While a setlist has yet to be announced, fans should expect to hear plenty of songs from “9” and hits such as “Dirt Road Anthem” and “You Make It Easy.” The tour will see Morgan Wallen, Riley Green and Dee Jay Silver supporting Aldean. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., with doors

opening an hour before. The next artist coming to Colonial Life is hard rock band KISS, who gained popularity in the late ‘70s and ‘80s. KISS is known for being one of the wildest hair bands from the ‘80s with performances featuring fire breathing, blood spitting, fireworks and pyrotechnics. The band features members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer wearing black and white face paint to depict each band member as a different persona, platform boots and often black outfits with spikes and horns. KISS’ End of the Road World Tour will be the group’s final tour. Thus far, KISS has performed its hit songs, including “Detroit Rock City,” “War Machine,” “Beth” and “God of Thunder.” The Feb. 11 concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Next up on the artist roster is rapper Post Malone, who is scheduled to be in Columbia Feb. 29. An extension of his Runaway Tour, the Grammy-nominated artist will be supported by acts Swae Lee and Tyla Yaweh. The 24-year-old artist is known for his

style of music, which often blends different genres like hip-hop, pop, rap, rock and trap. The setlist for the concert is expected to include hits like “Sunflower,” “Rockstar,” “Better Now” and “Congratulations,” along with other Post Malone hits. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m. A fourth artist stopping at Colonial Life this spring is Elton John, who is returning for the second leg of his North American tour. The “Rocket Man” singer will be coming May 22 as a part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. John is one of the best-selling music artists and gained popularity in the ‘70s and ‘80s for his showmanship and piano-playing abilities. While John might not be in his “golden years” of touring and performing, the artist is still entirely capable of entertaining all types of audiences with multiple screens projecting films and music videos to go along with the songs, and a piano that moves John around the stage. The show will begin at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets for all Colonial Life Arena shows are available through Ticketmaster.

SPRING GUIDE 31 FROM BASKETBALL PAGE 30

In Colonial Life, the capacity is much smaller, so you can really see all the action on the court without having to rely on a jumbotron to give you a play-by-play. During football season, Saturdays can’t seem to come fast enough. Only one day each week, if not every other week, to root for our favorite team. Gamecock basketball not only has both a men’s and (national championshipwinning) women’s team, but games can be any day of the week. An advantage of having a men’s and women’s basketball team is even more games to attend. As someone who is not an avid football fan, I find the game very hard to follow. The entirety of the game takes around three and a half hours, and each minute on the clock seems to take 10 minutes to pass with each blow of the referee’s whistle. The average college basketball game takes around two hours, which makes it much easier for the student section to keep up its excitement for the duration of the game. Football season might be the most popular among the student body, but basketball season is grossly underrated and deserves a larger fan base within our school. With indoor seating, close proximity, frequent and shorter games, basketball season is something you can enjoy both now and in the spring semester.


32 SPRING GUIDE

University 101 Programs University of South Carolina

Thank you to all Fall 2019 U101 Program Peer Leaders!

We Appreciate all that you do for University 101!

Mohammed Abunijem Erin Allegrino Rachel Allmendinger Salman Arab McKenna Archibald Gina Arconti Victoria Armstrong Cara Baldwin Jacquelynn Bardes Brittany Battaglia Hannah Bauer Jordan Baxley Allison Beljan Elizabeth Bellaire Cassidy Benjamin Madison Bessonny Andrea Betancourt Virginia Bethune Brigid Bianco Taylor Biccum Jacob Billings Emma Black Zachary Blackwood Nina Blaettler Rebecca Block Jena Brown Michael Bruck Julia Budiongan Addison Burke Hannah Burroughs Sara Callahan Matthew Campbell Sarah Campbell Carleigh Capone Joshua Carriger John Cassibry Sarah Chappell Sarah Christenbury Caroline Clark Hannah Clark Jacquelyn Clark Miranda Clark Mira Clavecilla Carlye Collison Samuel Cooperman Emma Cornell Cassidy Cron Mia Cushing Yuanying Dai Alazia Daniels

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Bailey Hoffert Caitlin Hoffman Katherine Hoofnagle Samuel Hopler Mary Howe Haley Huff Kiley Hurst Dahlia Inabinett Ashley Jackson Jenna Jacobik Summer Jacobs Taylor Jennings-Brown Mary Jeu de Vine Alexcia Johnson Elizabeth Johnson Stephen Johnson Emily Johnston Howard Jolles Riley Jones Ethan Joseph Ishani Joshi Liza Joudeh Bhamini Kalia Amanda Karram Caroline Keinath Michael Keller Mary Kerwin Kathleen Kirchgasser Lavinia Kitson Jacob Klisares Lili Kramer Mary Kramer Megan Kring Rani Kshepakaran Lauren Langlois Sophie Large Morgan Lee Nicole Lerner Megan Lieb Sarah Lilley Haley Livingston Kate Livingstone Constantine Lomis Margaret Luke Christopher Lyles Casey Magersupp Nicole Malin Brandon Marrone Judy Marshall Alexandra Masters Kirstyn Mayer

Katelyn McConnell Stephanie McCrary Kelsi McDonald Emily McDowell Erin McFarland Kayla McGee John Medve Michael Melchiorre Monika Milczek Casey Miller Molly Miller Sophie Minigiello Ashley Mohammed Mary Morgan Avery Moser Gabrielle Murabito Rebecca Murphy Margaret Murray Morgan Nagel Thomas Nesbitt Nick Nicholson Reese Nickerson Alexandra Nilsson Caitlin Nolan Paige O'Neal Emerson Odagis Emily Ouyang Madeline Owens Brennan Pancer Vivek Pandey Davis Paone Ajhia Parker Dimple Patel Hriday Patel Jolie Patterson Brynn Peck Tina Pham Kamryn Phlegar Mary Pitts Jordan Postal Michelle Pratt Hunter Price Kaela Price Maggie Pustinger Parker Rakotci Olivia Rasbornik Daishon Redden Madyson Reed Elizabeth Reilly Julia Rice Helen Richmond Lauren Ritter

Victoria Robert Campbell Robinson Emilie Rollet Harsirjan Roopra Anne Sacilowski Emily Salamone Kelsey Schuermann Sarah Sharpe Katherine Sheridan Nicole Sherman Jacob Shermer Sarah Shipp Alexander Simmons Katherine Snelson Kelly Soder Meredith Solheim Sarah Stamey Kai Standifer Harry Stathakis Alyssa Stephens GraceAnne Stokes Owen Stover Rachel Strieber Quinn Sullivan Jesse Surette Mina Surprenant Shea Tarring Matthew Thomas Margaret Tolar Zachary Travis Kathleen Turpin Anjali Upadhyaya Michaela Vensk Vaviel Verner Kathleen Vicini Cayla Wakser Mackenzie Walker LaMonika Wall Savannah Weber Molly Weeks Mackenzie Wenczkowski Lauren Wilder Troi' Williams DeAsia Witherspoon Bailey Wojciak Katelynn Wood Dynesha Wright Kyle Wright Rachel Young Corey Zucco Sara Zurbuch Lara Zwiebel

*Taught EDLP 520 ** Taught UNIV150

Want to become a University 101 Peer Leader? Applications for Fall 2020 are available online! https://sc.edu/univ101/peerleadersapp/

Gamecock softball looks forward to 2020 season with leadership of four seniors

INFOGRAPHIC BY ALEX FINGER // THE GAMECOCK

MATTHEW EDWARDS Sports Editor The South Carolina softball team is preparing for its 2020 season after a 38-19 season in 2019, when it advanced to its fourth-straight regional final. South Carolina released its schedule Nov. 18. It features 34 games against teams who made the NCAA Tournament, 15 games against teams who made the super regionals and eight games against teams who qualified for the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma State. The Gamecocks will begin their season Feb. 7 at Beckham Field against North Dakota State. The

team begins SEC play March 6, when it travels to face the Georgia Bulldogs. South Carolina went 18-8 last season against teams on the 2020 schedule. One game that stands out on the 2020 schedule is a rivalry matchup against the Clemson Tigers April 7 at 6 p.m. This is Clemson’s first year with a softball team. South Carolina also signed nine players in the offseason, which is the largest class head coach Beverly Smith has signed in her time in Columbia. SEE ONLINE www.dailygamecock.com


SPRING GUIDE 33

Martin continues his eighth season as men’s basketball head coach LAWSON MURRELL & PERRY DOMINICI Sports Writers

The Gamecock men’s basketball team kicked its season off Oct. 30 at Colonial Life Arena with an exhibition against the Columbia International Rams. The Gamecocks started the year with an 8750 win. Last season, the Gamecocks fell short of any postseason aspirations, failing to secure a National Invitation Tournament bid for the second consecutive year. With Frank Martin at the helm for his eighth season as head coach at South Carolina, his young Gamecock team is primed to take the next step in 2020. Part of the Gamecocks’ youth stems from roster turnover, as key starters Chris Silva and Hassani Gravett moved on to the NBA following their senior seasons.

With two of the feature faces of the Martin-led Gamecocks moved on, sophomore AJ Lawson leads the way in the starting rotation this season. Lawson is coming off a freshman all-SEC season, in which he appeared in 29 out of 32 games. Lawson, a 6-foot-6-inch guard, averaged 13.4 points per game last season. His athleticism is what draws the most attention, as he excels at perimeter defense and driving to the basket. “That was my biggest challenge with [Lawson] coming into this year,” Martin said. “Let’s get your assists up, your turnovers down.” Lawson is averaging a team-high 17.2 points per game and has rounded his play out with 3.8 assists per game coupled and 0.8 turnovers per contest. SEE ONLINE www.dailygamecock.com

Women’s basketball seeks to make deep run in March

INFOGRAPHIC BY ALEX FINGER // THE GAMECOCK

INFOGRAPHIC BY ALEX FINGER // THE GAMECOCK

MICHAEL SAULS Sports Writer The 2019-2020 women’s basketball season began Nov. 1, when the Gamecocks defeated the North Georgia Nighthawks 112-48 in South Carolina’s only exhibition game of the season. Last season, the Gamecocks finished in the Sweet 16 with a loss to Baylor, ending the season with a 23-10 record. Soon after, head coach Dawn Staley and the team lost seven players, four to graduation and three to the transfer portal. Last season’s lead scorer Te’a Cooper left the Gamecocks for Baylor, forward LaDazhia Williams left for SEC rival Missouri and guard Bianca Jackson left for Florida State. Staley and the team almost lost senior Mikiah Herbert Harrigan to the transfer portal, but Herbert Harrigan withdrew her name from the portal. Since then, Herbert Harrigan has

not only served as a leader for the team, but she is stepping up on the court stats-wise, living up to her preseason all-SEC second-team nod. Through the team’s first six games, she is second in scoring on the team, averaging 13 points per game and shooting 51.7% from the field. She is second on the team in single game scoring, with an early season high of 21 points in the Gamecocks’ 92-50 win over Appalachian State. This season, Staley brought in four recruits from the espnW top-100, three of whom were in the top-10 and two of whom were in the topfive, to help replace the seven players lost last season. No. 3 recruit Aliyah Boston was named to the Lisa Leslie Award Watch List, an award given to the top female collegiate center, during the preseason. SEE ONLINE www.dailygamecock.com


34 SPRING GUIDE

Take me out to the ball game: A preview of Gamecock baseball NATE SHIRLEY Sports Writer

The 2020 baseball season is right around the corner, and the South Carolina Gamecocks are ready to begin the season. Head coach Mark Kingston said in a press conference the team “had a really productive fall” and hopes the team can improve on its 2019 overall 2828 record and conference record of 8-22. Kingston said he believes they have the “building blocks” to have a successful season.

Pitching staff preview According to Kingston, “everybody needs a Friday night ace,” and the Gamecocks might have that in redshirt sophomore Carmen Mlodzinski. After his season was cut short in 2019 due to injury, the right-hander from Hilton Head, South Carolina, increased the velocity of his fastball to the mid-90s, Kingston said. Junior outfielder Andrew Eyster said in an interview with GamecocksOnline that it’s “impossible to pick up what [Mlodzinski’s] throwing until it’s right there” and said he was a “workhorse”

y ad a reall h s a h e t ma nd “My roo mester a or e s g in lm y e m s tud over whe h t e e s rely now I ba r their classes...” fo do work t?

ex What’s n

Recognize. Decide. STAND UP. Repeat.

among Gamecock pitchers. “ I d o n ’t k n o w t h a t anybody predicted he’d be at this spot yet,” Kingston said. Eyster said the pitching staff is “way deeper than last year.” The team will also need contributions from Brett Kerry, Dylan Harley, Cam Tringali and others to log innings throughout the season. Position players preview With 10 homers and an average of .309 last season, Eyster looks to lead the Gamecocks offensively. Sophomore Brady Allen and junior JUCO transfer Noah Myers will most likely

round the outfield out. Eyster said he’s “willing to bet [Myers’] going to be our leadoff guy.”

INFOGRAPHIC BY ALEX FINGER // THE GAMECOCK

SEE ONLINE www.dailygamecock.com

Stress and burnout can look like:

Recognize harm

• Frequent headaches • ulty concentrating • Heartburn or nausea

• Fatigue • Loss of motivation • Sudden mood changes

• Reduced productivity • Changes in appetite • Detachment and isolation

Almost one third of students report that

in the classroom.

Stress is a normal part of the college experience. While there are healthy ways to manage stress, pay attention to any drastic changes to their mood or behavior.

Decide to intervene

Chronic stress can cause or worsen physical and mental health conditions. Chronic stress can also lead to burnout. Burnout does not just go away, it requires intentional changes to the way one manages the challenges and responsibilities of being a college student. Support others by talking in private, listening to and validating how they are doing. Always ask permission before giving advice.

Step in or speak up

Connect them with Wellness Coaching for stress management at Student Health Services or with time management resources at the Student Success Center. Encourage them to practice regular self-care. Let them know there is free yoga and meditation in the C.A.L.M. Oasis and free online support through the TAO app.

An Accredited Patient-Centered Medical Home


SPRING GUIDE 35

Previewing the 2020 Gamecock tennis teams PAIGE DAVOREN Sports Writer

Men’s tennis At the end of the 2019 spring season, the Gamecock men’s tennis team advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament before falling to the Virginia Cavaliers. However, in the NCAA singles tournament, then-junior Paul Jubb won the Gamecocks’ first national championship title in men’s tennis. Jubb, who will be returning from England to play for the Gamecocks as a senior, also played in the 2019 Wimbledon Championships after being awarded a wild card spot. “Our guys are competitors first, tennis players second,” head coach Josh Goffi said. This fall, freshman Connor Thomson, ranked No. 106 in singles after a 13-4 record last fall, will join the Gamecocks. Currently, there are four other ranked South Carolina players, and Jubb will presumably be in the spring rankings as the defending national champion. “We’re still a young squad,” Goffi said. “Having five or six ranked guys has a double-edged sword.

The expectations for your team go up.” Other singles players in the ITA’s final fall rankings include sophomores Daniel Rodrigues and Raphael Lambling at No. 21 and No. 39, respectively. In doubles, Beau Pelletier and Thomas Brown made the list at No. 56, and Lambling and Rodrigues came in at No. 39. “There’s a lot of growth personally for each guy as far as, you know, making the necessary changes where the normal mental pitfalls come in their matches,” Goffi said. Goffi said he believes the team is mentally prepared for a strong spring season, and the Gamecocks look to make it even further in the 2020 NCAA tournament. Women’s tennis Last season, the South C a r o l i n a w o m e n ’s tennis team was crowned SEC champion. They also made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament before falling to Duke. The team will look to go even further this year and fight for a national championship title. Five freshmen joined the Gamecocks this fall and now comprise the majority of the team while the remaining four veterans include seniors Mia Horvit and Silvia Chinellato and juniors Megan Davies and Kennedy Wicker. “We have a very, sort of intrinsically motivated team,” head coach Kevin Epley said. “They don’t require a lot from the coaching staff or from each other to get out and take care of business on court.” Four Gamecock women’s tennis players have proven that in the rankings this fall. Horvit, Chinellato, Davies and freshman Emma Shelton have been listed in the final ITA Fall National Rankings. Horvit moved up 22 spots since the

INFOGRAPHICS BY ALEX FINGER // THE GAMECOCK

preseason rankings, jumping from No. 49 to 27. Davies rose nearly 100 spots, going from No. 125 to No. 28, and advanced to the singles semifinals of the ITA Regionals this October before falling to a No. 5-ranked opponent. Chinellato and Shelton performed well during the fall season in doubles, coming in at No. 18 in the final fall rankings, and the duo earned a 7-3 record in fall tournaments. “Overall, we are happy with how we performed,” Epley said. “Some players had big breakthroughs and others continued to improve. Still, we have a lot to work on to be prepared for the spring season so we are looking forward to getting back to practice.” Both team’s spring schedules are not yet released.


36 SPRING GUIDE

HOW CAN

Counseling & Psychiatry

HELP YOU?

Counseling & Psychiatry offers a variety of services to match your needs. Review the appointments we provide below and let us know how we can help you.

Walk-In Appointment

Check our website for activities related to managing your stress sc.edu/mentalhealth

• I am not sure that I can keep myself safe • I have experienced recent interpersonal violence (ex. sexual assault, dating violence, stalking) • Things are becoming unmanageable (academic, social, physical, emotional, substances, etc.)

“I need to see someone today.”

Triage Appointment •

I am here seeking treatment recommendations to address some concerns or symptoms I am having.

You can now make your triage appointment online at sc.edu/myhealthspace

“I’m struggling, but I can wait for a scheduled appointment.”

Mental health services for students in crisis are available around the clock. Students who have an urgent need, or others concerned about a student, can call Counseling & Psychiatry at 803-777-5223 at any time and will receive direct support or be referred to immediate help. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call USC PD at 803-777-4215 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Consultation

“I need advice about my situation.”

I just want to ask a couple questions

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I’m uncertain about what I need

Call 803-777-5223 to make an appointment

Follow us @UofSC_SHS An Accredited Patient-Centered Medical Home The University of South Carolina is an equal opportunity institution.

sc.edu/healthservices

Supporting the vision of a Healthy Carolina community


editorial Board: Genna Contino If you’re ever not sure if you should put in extra effort, apply for a leadership role or take on a big assignment, just do it. You’ll thank yourself when it’s job search time for having an impressive resume, but if you ever feel like something is too much, it’s OK to take a step back.

REMI BREBION Planning your time. Having an idea of when you’ll be busy and when you’ll be free gives an idea of how your semester will go. From there, you can progress through the year more prepared.

NICK SULLIVAN USC is situated in such a perfect spot for adventure. Beaches, mountains and major cities are just a few hours’ drive away. Give in to your wanderlust, take some spontaneous road trips and make time to explore. Especially for out-of-staters.

JOSEPH LEONARD Manage your time effectively. Especially if you’re a busy student, it’s important to make sure that you’re spending an adequate amount of time for each of your classes. Also, go out with friends and enjoy your time in college, but also pay attention to your spending.

SPRING GUIDE 37 “What, in your opinion, are the most important things for students to do during the semester?”

ALYSSA RASP Get as involved as you can on campus, whether it’s by joining student organizations or just being aware of what’s going on (by reading our paper). It’s your home for four years, be a part of it!

MATTHEW EDWARDS Getting involved in student organizations that will enhance your skills and your resume. You will meet friends along the way with common interests and broaden your horizons. Classes can only teach you so much, so get involved.

MAKAYLA HANSEN Don’t be afraid to take time off. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you look at all the classwork and extracurricular responsibilities you might have. If that happens, take a little break and do something you find fun or relaxing.

ALEX FINGER Do what you have to do so you can spend more time doing what you want to do. Try new things and meet new people whenever you have the opportunity and spend your time outside of your apartment or dorm room!

KIRA NORWOOD Take care of your mental health and well-being. School is stressful and sometimes it’s necessary to take a day off and give yourself a break.

STEPHANIE ALLEN The spring semester is a great time to commit to extracurricular activities. Without the distraction of football season, Saturdays are free for volunteering and participating in clubs around campus. Don’t let the extra free time pass idly by!

TAYLOR SHARKEY Say “yes” to as much as you can! Four years go by so fast and you do not want to look back and regret missing out on things, such as getting involved on campus, going out with friends or taking spontaneous weekend trips to new places!

ANNA MOCK Learn to manage your stress effectively. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to your friends or consider going to the free counseling offered on campus. Be sure to only bite off as much as you can chew — don’t be afraid to leave a club or organization, drop a class or do whatever else you need to do to ensure you stay sane.

CLARA BERGESON If you start to feel overwhelmed, step back and reach out. People are very willing to help — just ask.

KENNA COE Don’t take warm spring days for granted! Spend time on the Horseshoe, go on a walk near the river or grab some friends and head to the beach for a day. Sometimes fresh air can be the best cure for stressful days.

ERIN SLOWEY Go into your professor’s office hours! Every time I leave office hours I always feel better than when I went in. Building relationships with professors is really important not only for your success in the class, but also in the long run.

CAM ADAMS Although academics are the most important aspect of college, remember to take time for yourself by joining student organizations. You can make new friends and find new things that you’re interested in.


38 SPRING GUIDE

—compiled by Taylor Washington

CROSSWOR BY: ALEX FINGER // THE GAMECOCK


SPRING GUIDE 39 Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

TRAVEL

CARIBBEAN SPRING BREAK $189 for 5-Days. All prices include: Round-trip luxury party cruise. Accommodations on the island at your choice of seven resorts. Appalachia Travel. www.BahamaSun.com 800-867-5018

Autism Therapist/Caregiver

12/06/19

1 2 3 4

Solutions to today’s puzzle

© 2019 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

ACROSS 1 “Georgia on My Mind” singer Charles 4 Party music mix, briefly 9 Keep from having kittens, say 13 “Big Band” and “Jazz” periods 15 Easily fooled 16 __-in-one: golfer’s ace 17 Career-boosting political spending on local projects 20 Speaker sound 21 Smitten 22 Dancer Duncan 25 Thurman who played The Bride in “Kill Bill” films 26 Chill in the air 29 Pos. opposite 30 Amateur radio hobbyist 33 “Cats” poet’s monogram 34 Chief Norse god 35 “Great” dog 36 Zeros 40 Polite address to a woman 43 Creme-filled cookie 44 Rx 47 Paltry sum 51 Madison in NYC, e.g. 52 Polite way to address a man 53 Positive vote 54 Aspen getaway 56 To a greater extent 59 “There you have it!” 60 Issue’s most important element ... and a hint to 17-, 30-, 36- and 47-Across 64 Leave out 65 Prefix with sonic 66 Sunrise direction 67 Sport played on horseback 68 Africa’s Sierra __ 69 Sgts.’ superiors

DOWN 1 Change the wall color 2 Excites 3 Football play measure 4 Forensic evidence 5 Glass container 6 iPhone assistant 7 Tie, as a score 8 “I have to know!” 9 Prison knife 10 Cornmeal dish 11 “__ the President’s Men” 12 “I agree” 14 Slide on the road 18 Word of mock sadness 19 Wild hog 23 Swiss watch brand 24 Friends in Lyon 27 + or - particle 28 Opposite of post31 __ a kind 32 Commercials 36 Yukon automaker 37 “__ to you, matey!” 38 Many a techie 39 Bare-naked Lady 40 Variety show hosts, briefly 41 Sushi tuna 42 Postal service

44 Word before vows or status 45 Most wicked 46 Leaves 48 Syrup brand since 1902 49 Impressive sight 50 Quik maker 55 Convenient bag 57 Director Preminger 58 “__ be in England ... “: Browning 60 Floor cleaner 61 Broody music genre 62 Geographical direction suffix 63 Daisy __: Li’l Abner’s wife

12/06/2019


40 SPRING GUIDE

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DECEMBER 3 – 16

Clearance Flash Sale

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50% OFF In Store Only

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Shop Gifts for Every Gamecock Fan on Your List Limited time only, while supplies last. Exclusions may apply, see bookseller for details.

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