Print Edition: 08/29/2012

dailygamecock.com UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012

VOL. 110, NO. 05 ● SINCE 1908

University opens welcome center in Charleston $300,000 allocated for King Street location Thad Moore

TMOORE@DAILYGAMECOCK.COM

A few weeks ago, there was hardly a speck of garnet at 258 King St. in Charleston.

But today, wit h t he opening of Carolina on King, USC’s Lowcountry welcome center, the storefront is awash in the university’s hallmarks.

The goal, said Luanne Lawrence, vice president for communications, whose office is responsible for the store, is to raise USC’s profile in one of the state’s largest cities and a key tourist destination.

“Columbia can feel like 20 hours away (from Charleston), and it’s not necessarily a destination when you’re here,” Lawrence said. “So how do we keep it top of mind when you’re in this beautiful city that you might want to come up to Columbia and take a visit there as well?”

The new space hopes to invoke

t he feel of ca mpu s w it h a br ick path meandering through stacks of Gamecock merchandise toward a picture of the Horseshoe’s gates and walls adorned with photos of athletic victories and historic buildings.

It’ll hope to do so in the heart of downtown, on the main drag of King, between Wentworth and Hasell streets. It sits in the heart of one of the city’s prime shopping locales, where it’s nestled between Victoria’s Secret and an incoming Anthropologie store.

The last tenant in the 1400-squarefoot space, Oxette, a Greek jewelry store, left in June, after USC bought out the last three years of its lease for $246,000. The university allocated $300,000 for the project, according to its 2013 budget.

T h at ’s t y pic a l for a prop er t y of that size, according to Jennifer Davis, the founder of Domicile Real Estate Brokerage, which handled the deal. USC is spending about $58.57 per square foot per year; typically, according to Dav is, such a space would cost between $45 and $60 per

Courtesy of USC

foot.

A ristotelis Mpougas , one of the store’s owners, declined to comment Monday, but he told The Post and Courier in June that it wasn’t making enough money to justify the lease.

“Selling the lease was a great exit

strategy for our business,” Mpougas told t he C ha rle ston new spaper.

“Oxette was profitable but not to the extent that we had forecast for future commitments.”

Lawrence said she wasn’t worried CHARLESTON ● 4

USC gets nod for green programs Princeton Review adds university to ‘honor roll’ Rebecca Johnson

NEWS@DAILYGAMECOCK.COM

Parker Jennette / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Camille Culbertson (left), activist John Culbertson’s daughter-in-law, and Mary Symmes Culbertson, his wife, look at a new exhibit on the lawyer’s life at the Hollings Special Collections Library during its opening Tuesday evening.

Lawyer fought for equality Exhibit honors civil rights activist John Culbertson Thad Moore

TMOORE@DAILYGAMECOCK.COM

John Bolt Culbertson was unusual for his time.

The Greenville lawyer, who died

in 1983, addressed black men by their titles, used their last names and shook their hands — in public. He represented them in court to fight for equal employment rights, and he joined and raised funds for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

And he did so in the midst of the civil rights movement, a time of intense

unrest and tension thorough the state.

He wa s e xc luded f rom so c ia l functions and received threatening letters and phone calls. He found burning crosses on his front lawn. In 1956, Ebony magazine called him “the South’s bravest white man.”

“He must have known ... that he CULBERTSON ● 2

Sophomore September kickoff delayed by rain Greene Street sat mostly quiet early Tuesday afternoon under overcast skies, but it wasn’t the day the Office of Student Engagement had in mind.

They’d planned an afternoon of inflatables, visits from Cocky and free food to kick off Sophomore September, a series of events planned for secondyear students, but a looming threat of rain knocked the plans off course.

But fear not, students: The party will go on next Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to Kimberly Dressler, the coordinator for Student Engagement.

The month’s events will continue on, too, starting in earnest next week.

Here’s what they’ve got planned:

Wednesday 88°

73°

Thursday 85°

70°

Study Abroad Fair — Sept. 7

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Russell House Ballroom Snow Cone Cool Down — Sept. 10 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Greene Street Career Fest — Sept. 19, Noon to 4 p.m. in the Columbia Convention Center Major & Information Fair — Sept. 25 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Russell House Ballroom

Mutual Expectations Workshop on academic advisement — Sept. 27

12:30 to 1:45 p.m. in the Russell House Ballroom

USC received the Princeton Review’s highest possible score in the fifth annual “Green Rating Honor Roll.”

The university was the only school in the state and one of just two, with Va nd e r b i lt , i n t he S o u t he a s t e r n Conference to make the list.

The rat i ng s are based on a n analysis of colleges’ sustainability and environmentally conscious practices, policies and student-accessible projects.

USC was one of 21 colleges to earn a spot on the 2013 Green Rankings list.

Carter Cox, sustainability education a nd out reach coord i nator, sa id it s environmental science program and sustainability program collaboration set USC apart.

“Through Sustainable Carolina, most of the projects on campus are studentled,” Cox said.

Su st a i nable Ca rol i na hou se s 18 groups working on projects focused on facilitating green behavior in a number different areas of campus life.

Sustainable Carolina partners with the Environment and Sustainabilit y Program, Outdoor Recreation, Healthy Carolina and Vehicle Management and Parking Services to enable all of these initiatives and get students involved in the process. “[The collaboration] enables us to work toward being more sustainable in a lot of different areas,” Cox said.

USC has also implemented a tailgate recycling program , which encourages recycling at football games, and the G a rden Tea m, wh ich coord i nate s growing food on campus and teaches students living off campus to do the same.

M a r g a r e t B o u n d s , H o u s i n g ’s sustainability coordinator, said USC received the honor because of the diversity of the green programs on campus and the integration of sustainability programs in West (Green) Quad.

And in the years since Green Quad was constructed, the Honors Residence Hall and Patterson Hall have won accolades for efficiency, too.

The construction of the Green Quad, Bounds said, made USC one of the first universities in the country to build a green residence hall and, she said, it remains one of the largest in the country.

“In terms of square feet, [the Green Quad] is what sets us apart,” Bounds said.

Comments on this story?

Visit dailygamecock.com/news

Pupcakes

2012 Elections

Women’s soccer

Check out Mix Editor Chloe Gould’s guide to Columbia’s only dog treat bakery and boutique.

Columnist Craig Erickson discusses how Mitt Romney and the GOP can get ahead in time for elections.

See page 5

The Gamecocks host Clemson, hoping to extend their win streak over the rivals to five straight games.

See page 6

See page 10

2

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Hispanic honor society earns top award USC chapter of Sigma Delta Pi to raise cultural awareness Kyle Kovalchek

NEWS@DAILYGAMECOCK.COM

USC’s chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National C ol le g i at e H i s p a n ic Ho nor S o c ie t y, w a s recognized by its national organization this year for the fi rst time since its creation in 1962.

The chapter received the inaugural Phoenix Award from the society, given each year to just one of 585 chapters nationally, for its activity in the 2011–12 year.

It was also recognized as an “Honor Chapter,” a title only given to 14 such chapters this year.

The group is the only Spanish honor society at USC and hosts events throughout the year that help raise awareness about Hispanic culture and

Parker Jennette / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

heritage among USC students, said Chi chapter president Taylor Jones.

“We sponsor a lot of Hispanic Heritage Month events, which gained the attention of the national office,” Jones said. “Over 400 people showed up at the closing event we held on the Russell House patio last year.”

The society has plans in the works for this year, too.

They’ll hold Noche de Poesía y Breves Cuentos, a Spanish spoken-word event, on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Russell House Ballroom and the Taste of Latin, usually their biggest event of the year, on Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. on the Russell House patio.

“We’re going to have great food from all over the Hispanic world, great music and dancing,” Jones said of the Taste of Latin event.

Currently the chapter has 20 members, Jones

CULBERTSON ● Continued from 1 would have to change his ideas radically to have a successful (law) practice,” said Thomas Terrill, an emeritus professor of history at USC and an expert on African A merican st udies . “He didn’t change.”

Culbertson, who earned undergraduate and law degrees at USC , told his college friends he wanted to be a lawyer — a good lawyer. He’d rather be poor and keep hold of his beliefs, he told them, than be rich and let them go.

And while doing so won him a number of enemies, it’s since earned him accolades. His friends and family gathered Tuesday evening for the opening of an exhibit on his life in the Hollings Special Collections Library, which included legislators, judges and lawyers from across the state.

He’s since been recognized for work that disregarded society’s norms and its powerful players.

said, in part because of a fairly strict set of requirements for membership in Sigma Delta Pi, including 18 hours of Spanish coursework and an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher. They also require that students take literature and culture classes on the 300 level and maintain a 3.0 GPA in Spanish courses.

But Jones said the recently founded Gamecock Spanish Club, a non–honor society spin-off that shares the same set of goals, doesn’t have those requirements and is open to more students. “ We’re look i ng to eng age f resh men a nd sophomores and give them opport unities to become leaders and develop into awesome Sigma Delta Pi members,” Jones said.

Comments on this story?

Visit dailygamecock.com/news

After he opened his practice in 1938, Terrill recalled, Culbertson’s letterhead listed him as an “attorney at law and labor counselor” for bluecollar workers in Upstate mills, at a time when the textile industry dominated Greenville.

But he d id it b ec au se he’d de velop e d s y mp at hy f or t he underprivileged and a desire to help them as he studied at the university.

That work led him to fight for people on both sides of a divided South.

He fought for blacks as they sought equal rights, and he fought for mill workers, many of whom, Terrill said, “he knew were hostile to his work.”

As he did it, he tried to help his children understand other people and cultures.

“He taught us and thought it was important to be exposed and to gain an appreciation for other people,” said Manning Culbertson, his youngest son.

He took t hem of ten to Washington, D.C., to meet with Sen. Strom Thurmond and to African-American churches across South Carolina with civil rights leaders, the younger Culbertson said.

Doing so wasn’t always easy.

His father protected his family from the violence and the threats, Manning Culbertson said, but the dangers were real.

“We always knew to be careful,” he said. “We knew in the back of our minds.”

Now, M a n n i ng Cu lber t son pract ices law, and he does so in Greenville, a place that’s seen profound change in recent decades.

“My father would be 104 now,” he said. “And it’s hard to believe how much time has passed ... but what a difference and what a change it’s been.”

Comments on this story?

Visit dailygamecock.com/news

DOIN’ IT

DAILY Parker Jennette / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

DAVIS LAW FIRM Steve C. Davis

Steve Christoper Davis II

Attorneys-at-Law

Over 30 Years Combined Experience

AUTO ACCIDENTS UNDERAGE DRINKING DUI’S DUS’S 1708 Main Street | Columbia, SC 29201

OFFICE

FAX

779-2000 1 MILE FROM USC 779-2022

hey,

USC!

follow us on Twitter. @the gamecock

CHARLESTON ● Continued from 1 about that aspect of the new center. She expects t he storefront, which will sell T-shirts, hats a nd a ra nge of ot her USC regalia, won’t be profitable, she said.

Instead, the merchandise is just a hook to draw visitors i n s ide a nd le t t he m interact with USC. Its director, Ashley Slane, w i l l of fer help w it h gett ing f inancial aid, applying for admission, buy ing sports t ickets a nd nav igat i ng t he u n i v e r s i t y ’s o t h e r processes.

And, Lawrence said, it’ll cater to a growing area that sends a lot of students and donations USC’s way. About 15 percent of the student body lives in t he area, she said, and the approximately 10,000 a lu m n i l i v i n g t he r e have given about $15 million in the Carolina’s Promise capital campaign.

Courtesy of USC

USC is opening its Carolina on King welcome center in the heart of downtown Charleston today.

It’s also planning to c o ord i n at e w it h t he Darla Moore School of Business, which has a satellite location a few blocks away on Market Street, to host athletics recr u it ing event s, alu m n i get-toget hers and admissions seminars. The fi nancial details of that arrangement are not yet clear, she said.

But as the center gets it s open, it’s a l ready getting used to day-today life in Charleston,

as the city was drenched in rain and saw flooding t h roughout t he a rea Tuesday — including on King. “ It ’s o ne t h i n g t o h ave a r a i n s t or m i n Charleston,” Lawrence said. “It’s another to be in a building that you’re just moving into and to discover where the leaks are. We’ve been moving stuff around.”

Comments on this story?

Visit dailygamecock.com/ news

got prescriptions? it’s time to transfer them!

Follow us! @thegamecock order refills online get a text when they’re ready use your carolina card park in a reserved space 803.777.4890

Tailgate

Sponsers: RH, SG, Student Athletic T Carolina Dining, and Pepsi.

& Viewing Party

USC

vs

Vanderbilt

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30th starts on Russell 4pm tailgate House Patio and Davis Field Food, Prizes Come inside and 7pm watch the game!

&

SPONSERED BY: Russell House University Union Student Goverenment, Campus Recreation Carolina Dining, Pepsi, Substance Abuse Prevention & Education

the BIG

GAME

Free with Carolina Card!

Come cheer on our Gamecocks!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

EDITORIAL BOARD

New cigarette labels graphic, inappropriate

COLIN CAMPBELL Editor-in-Chief

KRISTYN SANITO

SARAH GENAY

Managing Editor

Asst. Copy Desk Chief

ALICE CHANG Viewpoints Editor

AUSTIN PRICE Design Director

ANDREW ASKINS Photo Editor

FDA should not impose on consumer decisions

KRISTYN WINCH Assistant Mix Editor

USC welcome center wasteful investment USC has dropped $300,000 on a new welcome center on King Street in Charleston that’s dedicated to bringing USC to the Lowcountr y. The idea is to help raise awareness for our university in a prime tourist location, get USC’s name out there and offer some ser v ices to st udents in “When there are Charleston. The idea is essentially things around to advertise our our campus school. that need Sure, there’s a c h a nce t h is attention and welcome center funding, blowing could draw in $300,000 on an n e w v i s i t o r s .

Sure, there’s a advertisement chance it will get on King Street ou r na me out there to those is wasteful and who visit from unnecessary.” out of state and d o n’t a l r e a d y know about our school. And sure, there’s a chance these visitors might be interested enough to come to Columbia and see our school. But the chances are slim, and let’s be honest: Why would tourists in Charleston, with the intention of going to the beach in a beautiful city, bother visiting the welcome center of a school they didn’t already know about? A nd when USC already receives so many applicants each year, making our student population endlessly rise to new highs, attracting more students shouldn’t be too high on our priority list.

We’re not saying this project can’t benefit USC. We’re just saying that in this case the benefit is simply not worth the cost. When there are so many things around our campus that need urgent attention and funding, blowing $300,000 on a large advertisement on King Street is wasteful and unnecessary.

Even the administration openly admitted that the center wouldn’t be profitable.

USC would do well to better allocate its funds in the future. What it really needs to spend $300,000 on is our campus here in Columbia, not a store two hours away.

5

Romney still has chance to take reins Candidate cannot use attacks to win presidency With the Republican National Convention underway, we will have a week of nonstop coverage on just about ever ything Mitt Romney does while he’s in Tampa, Fla. While it’s obvious why he’s there — to accept his party’s nomination for the presidency — his campaign has a very strict agenda of trying to reintroduce him to the American people.

In an interview with Po l i t i c o , R o m n e y said he doesn’t expect Craig everyone to like him Erickson the way the public fell Third-year political science in love with President student Barack Obama, but that people would be better off if he got a shot at the job.

H is campaig n is hoping t hat reintroducing him to the public and shining light on his personal success as a church-going family m a n w i l l m a k e h i m s ome one people can relate to. As it stands, the people have a pretty hard time relating to a man whose net worth is around $200 million, and who also started and ran one of the most successful investment firms in A merica. The reintroduction will have a few phases, starting with Romney’s wife, Ann, who is set to take the podium tonight.

W hile the public seems to push away t he gover nor h i m self, it absolutely adores his wife. That may be because she was attacked for seem i ngly no reason when Demo c r at ic s t r at eg i s t H i l a r y

Rosen appea red on C N N a nd declared that because Ann Romney was a stay-at-home mom and raised five children that she had “never worked a day in her life.” Since then, Ann Romney has held steady w it h a 24 -percent d isapprova l rating, while her husband’s and Obama’s ratings hang around 10 to 15 points higher.

There is one thing Mitt Romney could learn from his better half: When someone attacks you, you don’t always have to respond with an attack. It is obvious today that the current election has been made up most ly of persona l at t ack s on t he t wo c a nd idate s by h is opponent. The president doesn’t have much of a choice — the last four years haven’t quite been what he promised us. Unemployment is up, as well as the nation’s deficit, and the economy is no more stable now t han when he took of f ice.

With his record, it would not be in his favor to attempt to discredit his opponent.

It is now up to Romney and the rest of the Republican National Convention to take the high road — something they are not historically good at — and spread his message to the American people. He must make a conscious effort to outline his plans and assure the people that his campaign will not sink to the level we are accustomed to from presidential candidates.

I f Rom ney does a l l of t hese t h ings, start ing w it h t he convention tonight, his campaign should glide smoot hly t hrough the October debates and into the White House in January.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revealed nine new labels to be placed on packs of cigarettes alongside the standard warning about lung cancer and how smoking can kill.

Starting September this year, the FDA will require at least 50 percent of the box to be covered in these new labels accompanied with graphics.

The g raph ics are, well, graphic.

They are also repulsive. One label shows a man lying on a hospital bed with the center of Alice his chest stitched Chang up. Another shows Third-year a picture of a rotted international mouth, and another business student shows one of a real lu n g, bl ac k a nd yellow and enough to make me lose any appetite I may have had.

Smoking is obviously harmful, and there is nothing wrong with letting consumers know that, as they all should prior to purchasing cigarettes. However, there is a fine line between simply warning consumers and imposing views on them, and while the FDA may have good intentions in mind, it should carry out these intentions in a different way. It’s not the FDA’s job to prescribe a certain belief on consumers or wrench t hem away f rom pu rchasing something, especially when such measures could also severely affect a large industry in our economy.

Its job is simply to educate.

What a consumer ultimately chooses to purchase is his or her indiv idual decision, and if negative consequences are associated with it, that is also the individual’s problem to endure.

The FDA doesn’t require pictures of clogged arteries to take up half of the front of a bag of potato chips, and it shouldn’t require these images to take up half of a cigarette box either.

Stricter criteria necessary for gun purchases Thorough background checks, longer waiting period should be implemented The Carolina Alert sent out last week about the gun incident in Maxcy College is the most recent of many warnings students have received about potentially dangerous and illegal gun possession.

Fortunately for all of us here at USC, this particular situation was handled before anything else could occur. This, however, may not always be the case.

While I do not protest the right to bear arms as declared by the Constitution, I do believe stronger restrictions should be put in place and enforced.

The state of South Carolina is considered a “shall issue” state, which means that as long as you do not fall under certain criteria, the state cannot deny you the right to purchase fi rearms. These restrictions state that the buyer must have no prior convictions of violent crime, must be 21 years of age and cannot be deemed medically incompetent. These loose restrictions allow purchase with little scrutiny other

than a background check and the buyer’s word that he or she is truthful in the application. The only way anyone would be made aware that a potential buyer has been deemed mentally unfit is if a judge had ruled it so. Otherwise a person could be under treatment and seriously ill yet still legally be allowed to purchase a firearm.

A waiting period, a method used by other states, would be one way to ensure that the seller has enough Kathryn t ime to assess t he buyer a nd Duggan guarantee he or she is mentally stable.

Third-year This would allow time for mental journalism health screening, whether that is student determined through a psychological evaluation or researching medical records through a database. We are never going to completely eradicate illegal gun possession, but a more stringent screening process may identify potentially incompetent buyers. This kind of detail

About The Daily Gamecock

IT’S YOUR RIGHT The goal of The Daily Gamecock’s V ie w p oi nt s p a g e i s t o s t i mu l at e discussion in the University of South Carolina community.

All published authors are expected to provide logical arguments to back their views.

The Daily Gamecock encourages readers to voice opinions and offers three methods of expression: letters to the editor, guest columns and feedback on dailygamecock.com.

Letters and guest columns should be submitted via email to gamecockeditor@ sc.edu. Letters must be 200 to 300 words

in evaluation could prevent such events as the shootings in Aurora, Colo., and at Virginia Tech.

The shooter at the Aurora “Batman Massacre,” James Holmes, was able to legally obtain 6,000 rounds of ammunition online and four guns locally.

He abided by his state’s regulations to purchase these guns. If some form of psychological evaluation had been performed prior to purchase, then there would be no chance the self-proclaimed “Joker” would have been deemed mentally competent to legally own firearms.

This is an issue that is not only relevant to our nation but one that has become increasingly relevant to our school and surrounding community.

In the past few years, there have been reports of shootings and armed robberies in Five Points, in the Woodlands and even on campus. These locations are heavily populated by our neighbors and fellow students. Rigid laws and regulations will decrease the likelihood of these events while still allowing people to protect themselves appropriately.

in length and include the author’s name, year in school and area of study.

We also invite student leaders and USC faculty members to submit guest colu m ns. Colu m n ist s shou ld keep submissions to about 500 words in length and include the author’s name and position.

The editor reserves the right to edit and condense submissions for length and clarity, or not publish at all.

All submissions become the property of The Daily Gamecock and must conform to the legal standards of USC Student Media.

CORRECTIONS If you find an error in today’s edition of The Daily Gamecock, let us know about it. Email sagcked@mailbox. sc.edu and we will print the correction in our next issue.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Daily Gamecock is the editorially independent student newspaper of the University of South Carolina. It is published daily during the fall and spring semesters and nine times during the summer with the exception of university holidays and exam periods. Opinions expressed in The Daily Gamecock are those of the editors or author and not those of the University of South Carolina.

The Board of Student Publications and Communications is the publisher of The Daily Gamecock. The Department of Student Media is the newspaper’s parent organization. The Daily Gamecock is supported in part by student-activity fees. One free copy per reader. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 each from the Department of Student Media.

Editor-in-Chief COLIN CAMPBELL Managing Editor KRISTYN SANITO Copy Desk Chief SYDNEY PATTERSON Assistant Copy Desk Chiefs ANDERSEN COOK SARAH GENAY Design Directors GEORGE HINCHLIFFE AUSTIN PRICE Assistant Design Director CHRIS BROWN News Editor THAD MOORE Assistant News Editors AMANDA COYNE CAROLINE BAITY Viewpoints Editor ALICE CHANG

Assistant Viewpoints Editor CARL BRZORAD The Mix Editor CHLOE GOULD Assistant Mix Editor KRISTYN WINCH Sports Editor ISABELLE KHURSHUDYAN Assistant Sports Editor PAULINA BERKOVICH Photo Editors BRIAN ALMOND ANDREW ASKINS Senior Photographer PARKER JENNETTE Webmaster MATT BROWN Assistant Webmaster SYDNEY PATTERSON Staff Writers TYLER SIMPSON, KYLE HECK

Offices located on the third floor of Russell House EDITOR gamecockeditor@sc.edu NEWS sagcknew@mailbox.sc.edu VIEWPOINTS sagckvew@mailbox.sc.edu

THE MIX sagcketc@mailbox.sc.edu SPORTS sagckspt@mailbox.sc.edu ONLINE

Newsroom: 777-7726 Sports: 777-7182

Editor’s office: 777-3914 Fax: 777-6482

Copy Editors KIANTÉ CHAPMAN, MAX BAUMAN, ASHLEY CHONK A, ELIZABETH MINTEN, HANNAH JEFFREY, KENNY CLARKE, SARAH GRENCI, J O N AT H A N H O LT, J E N N Y C O, E R I N FOWLER, SARAH MARCHBANKS, DANI BORDELON Designers ANNIE DROWNE, SAMANTHA EDWARDS, KRISTMAR MULDROW, ANNIE PARHAM, MAXWELL BAUMAN Photographer SPENCER SCOTT Graduate Assistant BYRON WELLMAN Student Media Director SCOTT LINDENBERG Faculty Adviser ERIK COLLINS

Creative Director EDGAR SANTANA Business Manager KRISTINE CAPPS Advertising Manager SARAH SCARBOROUGH Production Manager C. NEIL SCOTT Creative Services JEMIMAH EKEH, GEORGE HINCHLIFFE, CARLY KEITH, MADDIE MCDOWELL, TUCKER PRESCOTT, AUSTIN PRICE Student Advertising Manager CASEY HOWARD Advertising Representatives LAUREN BAILEY, CHRIS BEAUREGARD, CHAD HUGHES, ADAM HARMS, DANA JENNINGS, HALEY POPE, CLAIRE POTTS

“If winning isn’t everything, why do they keep score?”

— Vince Lombardi

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

6

DOG BOUTIQUE DISHES OUT SWEET TREATS Pupcakes caters to pet fashion, food luxuries

Photo Illustration by Parker Jennette & Annie Parham / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Chloe Gould

CGOULD@DAILYGAMECOCK.COM

R

ows of cookies — Carolina baseball hats, watermelons and hot pink bones — fill display cases through the shop.

Fresh trays of homemade brownies, peanut butter cups and scones sit on racks just behind the counter. The faint smell of sweet potato lingers along the back wall.

The treats are mouth-watering, sprinkled with chocolate shavings and piped with the brightest and most intricate touch.

But it’s faux chocolate, yogurt-based icing and exclusively peanut butter cookies. They’re pintsized goodies served after a good bowl of kibble.

Pupcakes Dog Boutique and Bakery, on Harden Street in Five Points, is every pup’s dream come true.

Elvis Pupsleys, green bean chews and, of course, the pupcake are just a few of the homemade treats owner Marie Lipton stocks the store’s shelves with every morning.

All of the doggie desserts are fairly priced. The Pupsleys — made with peanut butter, banana and carrot — are just $2.25 each. Cookies, which take the shapes of the state, tiaras and caterpillars, range from 75 cents to $2.25.

The highest ticket, $18.50, is for the custom-made birthday cakes, inscribed with a special message for the prince or princess pup. And who orders a dog birthday cake without a matching party?

The back room of Pupcakes is filled with stuffed animals — some sans stuffing — and painted landscapes for birthday parties. For a flat rate of $75,

the birthday dog can invite nine of his or her canine pals for cake, ice cream and a couple of staff-led games. Goodie bags are also provided.

But don’t be duped! It’s not just fun, games and sweet bites at Pupcakes. The back bar, still scented with that sweet potato smell, houses an offering of natural, more training-suited treats. Sweet potato bites, cheddar puffs and honey berry mixes are all bagged for $6.99 a pound.

Lipton’s three dogs are mainstays behind the Pupcakes counter. Carmella, a 1-year-old pit bull terrier; Blue, a 3-year-old chihuahua; and Prada, a 5-year-old Yorkshire terrier, greet customers with a few kisses and the stray bark. Prada, Lipton said, is the queen bee of the shop. There’s also a glamour shot or two of the dogs modeling threads from the bakery’s complementary boutique.

Hair bows sit beside the register, polka-dotted, striped and frilled with different sizes for every breed. Tuxedos, complete with mini top hats, and belted rain jackets line the side wall.

The front of the store opens to collars upon collars, some studded and others embroidered with stars and stripes. There are outfits on display with tutus, ribbons and beads. It really could be mistaken for a small-scale children’s boutique, with coordinating pink and green watermelon getups, tanks and tutus proudly outfitting model dogs in the display window.

And then there are the Gamecock football jerseys and cheerleader onesies. They’re big in Columbia’s pampered pup world.

Lipton said about 30 percent of Pupcake’s revenue comes from the bakery, while the rest is from the outfits, collars, beds and other dog essentials. There

are a lot of regulars — it adds to the charm of the boutique. Carmella and Blue were both just beside themselves when a regular, Maisy, came in for her fill of Fromm, the fruit- and vegetable-based brand of dog food Pupcakes carries.

Lipton handpicks the store’s many eccentricities, admitting she’s a shopaholic, and serves as the only full-time baker. Before purchasing Pupcakes five years ago, Lipton owned Diva Dogs, a grooming salon in Columbia.

After purchasing the bakery, she would ship in all of the treats from a baker in Massachusetts.

However, after a few years, with some help from the baker, she adopted the recipes as her own and took over the entire operation.

Visitors walk from nearby Shandon and some make the drive from Chapin. It’s the only bakery of its kind in the city.

It’s charming — a tucked-away bakery in the heart of Five Points. If your dog is in the market for bubble-gum pink galoshes with a matching hat or a purple iced tulip cookie, Pupcakes is the place to go.

Comments on this story?

Visit dailygamecock.com/mix

‘Get Cocky!’ puts school spirit on display McKissick Museum exhibit chronicles athletic history Kristyn Winch

KWINCH@DAILYGAMECOCK.COM

As coach Steve Spurrier prepares the USC football team for kickoff this week, fans are packing up their bags, planning viewing parties, painting their faces and donning their favorite Gamecock garb. There doesn’t seem to be a lack of support for our alma mater anywhere, especially at the McKissick Museum.

The museum’s latest exhibit, “Get Cocky! The Significance of USC’s Gamecock Culture,” chronicles the history of Gamecock athletics and shows the profound positive impact sports and school spirit have had on the Carolina community.

“Get Cocky!” features objects from the museum’s permanent collection ranging from 1904 to the present. The comprehensive collection includes items from some of USC’s very first sport ing event s as well as recent victories, including the baseball team’s back-to-back wins at the College World Series . From authentic clothing and antique uniforms to ticket stubs and autographed balls, the exhibit is sure to spark the interests of casual fans and sports fanatics alike.

The exhibit begins in the secondfloor hallway leading to the gallery. It includes information about the history of college athletics, which began in the 19th century with the start of intramural sports. Visitors can view a sterling silver

football trophy from 1904 as well as a 1904 game ball won in a competition between USC and Washington and Lee University. A glass display case in the hallway also holds a sweater, canvas pants and belt that made up a 1907 Carolina football uniform.

“G et Cock y!” covers a va r iet y of topics, but the origin story of the Carolina-Clemson rivalry is particularly interesting. The two universities began playing football against each other on Nov. 12, 1896, the first “Big Thursday.”

The games were held at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia and was such a popular draw that counterfeit tickets became a problem. Big Thursdays lasted until 1959 when Clemson decided it

would benefit from hosting the game every other year.

Clothing plays a big part in the exhibit. Highlights include a Gamecock cap worn by former President Ronald Reagan during his 1983 visit to campus; two beanies, called “Rat Caps,” that first-year students were required to wear at sporting events until 1973; and homecoming outfits worn by A nna Gray in 1964 and Elizabeth Loadholt in 1989, a mother–daughter pair who both served as homecoming queen while attending Carolina.

The ex hibit includes a segment on t he t ra n sfor mat ion of USC’s mascot, featuring a costume by Jerry Spann, head cheerleader in 1959 who

Courtesy of McKissick Museum

volunteered to dress up and play the part. The getup consisted of a garnet freshman cap with a yellow rubber glove attached to the top serving as a comb, a feather duster tail and yellow spats over track shoes and a simple black jacket and gray pants.

John Nelson, a current USC biology professor a nd a n a lu m nus of t he university, donned a homemade rooster costume at basketball games from 1971 to 1973. The elaborate outfit consists of a mask with a yellow cardboard beak and a jumpsuit decked out with garnet and black feathers.

Other highlights of “Get Cocky!” include a 1935 marching band uniform, photographs of a 1940s Tiger Burn, a 1907 ball from a baseball game between USC and Clemson (Carolina won 4-2) and balls signed by Lou Holtz and Dawn Staley. The exhibit also shares stories of outstanding fans and philanthropic efforts taken on by various teams. It also features video interviews with former athletes like George Rogers and current USC President Harris Pastides.

The McK issick Museum has put together a vibrant exhibit filled with rare items fans can’t view anywhere else and is a must-see for Gamecock fans of all ages.

“Get Cocky!” is on display through Dec. 14. Admission to McKissick is free, and the museum is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Comments on this story?

Visit dailygamecock.com/mix

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

HOUSING

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

WELCOME BACK! HUNDREDS OF HOUSES & APARTMENTS! We have 1 and 2bdrm’s available starting at $290 to $800. Pet’s Ok! In many. 803-799-1333, www. rentmartonline.com RENTMART Email rrentmart@sc.rr.com

Telecounseling Positions Available The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is looking for enthusiastic, dedicated undergraduate students to assist with recruitment this year by calling prospective students, admitted students and their parents. Applicants should possess strong communication skills, enthusiasm for USC, good work ethic, professionalism, and basic computer and telephone skills. Students are required to work a minimum of two nights per week during the hours of 5:00 to 9:00pm Monday through Thursday throughout the school year, except on University holidays.

Telecounseling pays $7.50/hr, and training begins on Monday September 10th. Applications are available in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions located on the Horseshoe in Lieber College starting Thursday August 16th.

Application deadline: Thursday August 30th at 5:00 pm. For more information, please call Alexandra Scovel at 777-9106.

Why USC? Gamecock Connection Positions Available Tell us why you love USC! The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is looking for enthusiastic, dedicated students to assist with recruiting prospective students at Admissions special events. In this role you can share your love for USC with prospective students, admitted students and their parents. Applicants should possess strong communication skills, enthusiasm for USC, good work ethic, and professionalism.

We are looking for volunteers to assist with Admissions events this fall, and there will be a mandatory training meeting for new members.

Applications will be available in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions located on the Horseshoe in Lieber College beginning Thursday August 16th.

Application deadline: Friday, August 31st at 5:00 pm. For more information, please call Alexandra Scovel at 803-777-9106. babysitter/driver Looking for babysitter, preferably education student, to pick children up from school and babysit. Hours Monday-Thursday 3:00pm6:00pm. Please contact Staci at 803-414-5591 Email lquan@sc.rr.com

Part Time Couriers Downtown law firm seeks PT Couriers. Must be able to work Monday and Wednesday, 8:30-5:30, mornings and/or afternoons. Additional days/ hours may be available. Duties include running errands, metering mail, conference and break room clean up, answering phones and other general office duties. Must have own vehicle and proof of insurance. Business casual attire.

Competitive salary w/mileage reimbursement and paid parking.

Forward resume w/”PT Courier” in the subject line to colalawfirm@ gmail.com. Please include times available to work.

DORM BLUES? LOOKING FOR A HOUSE INSTEAD? We have hundreds of houses available. ALL AREAS SIZES & PRICES! 2, 3, & 4BEDROOMS. Prices start at $450 to $2250 Some with Pet’s Ok! 803-799-1333 or www.rentmartonline.com Email rrentmart@sc.rr.com Duplex near Olympia for Rent.

Each unit is 1br, loft, kitchen and LR. Fully Renovated.

Call 546-3262 Female Grad student seeks 1-2 roommate(s). Furnished available.

Chapin . Deck/yard, parking, laundry, internet, water, cable.

Call/text (803)7301291 or email willi657@email.sc.edu

EMPLOYMENT Part-time Civil Engineering student needed for Irmo engineering firm.

Strong CAD skills only. $12/hr.

Flexible Schedule. Send resume to: office@insiteusa.net.

All Restaurant Hourly Positions Service, Culinary, Bar, Hospitality Exciting new casual dining concept coming to Irmo Sc. Experienced applicants preferred, but eager to learn team members welcomed!!

Email vellaschapin@gmail.com

Hostess / Servers Needed Tombo Grille is looking for outgoing people with flexible schedules to work dinner shifts.

We are a locally owned restaurant with a great cliental. Apply in person after 3pm. Tombo Grille 4517 Forest dr. (803) 782-9665 Tutors wanted for 5th grade high functioning autistic twins in AGP/Honors classes.

M - Th 3:30 - 5:30. $10/hr.

Please call 803-920-5675

China Palace in Camden needs kitchen helpers.

Apply in person. 2523 Broad St,Camden, SC 29020

EMPLOYMENT

9

MISC INTERNATIONAL STUDENT WELCOME BANQUET, Aug 31.

Free dinner, entertainment, door prizes. 803.799.3452 Info@ifmusa.org Parking Spaces: Pickens at Blossom, $280 semester 799.3452

Pasta Fresca seeking EXPERIENCED SERVERS Apply in person after 3:30 daily at 4722 Forest Drive, 29206 Hiring PT Qualifier Local recruiting firm is currently hiring a PT qualifier to work 15-20 hrs/wk. Looking for a responsible upperclassman with strong communication skills and some prior office experience. To inquire or apply, please email resume to Laura- laura@asapsearch.com Children Events Help setup, attend, and take down inflatables for birthdays, festivals, corporate events. Must love children & lift 50lbs. Professional appearance must. Mostly Sat & Sun work. Avg $15/hr. $200 $400/mth.

Email wesley@123jumponline.com PT Optical Sales position available in high fashion boutique for responsible, fashion conscious individual. Sales experience a plus. Office hours 9-5:30 Mon-Sat. Must be available most Saturdays.

Please send resume, references, available hours and compensation requirements.

OPPORTUNITIES $BARTENDING$, $300/Day Potential, NO EXPERIENCE NEC. Training Available. 800-965-6520 XT253

LINE AD RATES 1st insertion: $2.50 / line Subsequent: $1.50 / line

ADDITIONAL INFO Two line minimum Avg. line length of 30 characters

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS Box around ad: $1.25 Logo insertion available for addt’l cost

DEADLINE Noon, 1 business day prior to publication

Go to www.dailygamecock.com and click on “Classifieds” to place your online &/or print ads. Upload your image(s) & manage your own account in one convenient place! *FREE ONLINE ADS! Available only to USC students, faculty & staff. Just use your sc.edu email address.

Questions or special requests, call 777-3888 • Office hours: M-F 8:30am- 5pm • Russell House, Rm. 343

PHD • JORGE CHAM

THE SCENE TODAY FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE 7:30 p.m., $5 Tin Roof, 1022 Senate St. CP CALENDAR LAUNCH PARTY 11 a.m., free Greene Street

HOROSCOPES

Aries

There’s plenty of work to be done and it’s the lucrat ive k ind, but there are also plenty of distractions. Add a dash of fun and spice to keep it interesting.

Taurus

Feed on other people’s ideas a nd add you r personal brilliance.

Others look to you for advice; see how you can make it work for you financially.

Gemini

Go for it. There’s really nothing stopping you, even if it seems so. You may fail, but you won’t k now if you don’t tr y.

Restore you r power through yoga.

Cancer

Rei nvent ion is ca l led for. Your intuition and creativit y come to the rescue. Co-workers get i nspi red a nd joi n t he project. At the end, you’re all stronger.

Leo

Do the necessar y research, and find the ver y best deal so you don’t spend the money you’ll need later. Don’t over t h i n k it, t hough.

Trust your instinct. Add respect.

Virgo

Make an educated decision. They’re saying nice things about you at work. Ask for more (and get it). Friends help you get the word out. There’s fun going on, and you’re in the thick of it.

Libra

Take on a leadership role.

With your excitement, everything seems easier now. Close the door for more privacy. Discard junk and gain creativity.

Scorpio

Improve your home with a touch of love. Listen for miracles. Don’t force the issue, though. Your fame precedes you. Walk the walk.

TOMORROW

LAWDAN, DADDY LION, JP MELENDEZ 7:30 p.m., $5 over 21 / $8 under New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St.

GORILLA ZOE & BEN G 6 p.m. football kickoff party / 11 p.m. show $10 over 21 / $15 under 5 Points Pub, 2020 Devine St.

Sagittarius

D e d i c at e s o m e t i m e to write, as you’re very persuasive now. A walk outdoors helps clear up your ideas. Play the game, listen to your intuition and score.

08/29/12

Capricorn

It’s worth the extra effort to put your ideas in action.

You’re getting more and more curious. Revamp you r wardrobe. A ll it takes is a little juggling.

Aquarius

Work from home, and use money to make money.

Your friends cover for you, but you have to ask t hem. A happy secret gets revealed. Provide information.

Pisces

Your genius and efforts are appreciated. Grasp the new opportunities coming your way. Don’t b e a f r a id t o a s s u m e aut hor it y. A fa m i l ia r routine is comforting.

Columbia Charlotte Shuttle

S

TODAY

The Charlotte Airport Just Got Closer Heyents! tud $49 each way • Pick up/drop off at USC www.ColumbiaCharlotteShuttle.com • (803) 783-5123

08/29/12

1 2 3 4

for 8/28/12

1 Huge 6 Capital of India 11 Source of some Genesis attire?

14 __ fl u 15 Aromatic compound 16 Wash. neighbor 17 *Competitive business concern 19 Farm butter?

20 Big wheel’s wheels 21 Crunchy candy components 22 *Done with one’s stint, maybe 28 Woody 29 Fancy cases 30 Circumnavigating, perhaps 31 Deep chasm 32 Bit of horseplay 35 *Arctic racer 38 *Lewis Carroll, for one 40 Whatever 41 Isolated 43 Ken of “thirtysomething” 44 Leonardo’s love 45 Notable 2007 communications release 47 *Make fi t 50 Raised 51 Sigh of regret 52 Striking scarf 53 Informal chat, and based on the starts of the starred answers, this puzzle’s title 60 Part of a yr.

61 Licorice-fl avored seed 62 Horror fi lm locale: Abbr.

63 Part of a match 64 Storage areas 65 Emotional substance DOWN 1 Pickle 2 “Psych” airer 3 Fallen orbiter 4 Layered Turkish pastries 5 Five Nations tribe 6 Patch, as a lawn 7 Show to a seat, slangily 8 Class-conscious

org.?

9 Musket end 10 Poetic preposition 11 Discussion venue 12 Really mad 13 Masterpieces 18 “Untouchable” feds 21 Signs of resistance 22 Chinese green tea 23 Ode’s counterpart 24 Only mo. that can begin and end on the same day 25 Like universal blood donors 26 Bait-and-switch, e.g.

27 Word on a boondocks towel?

28 Tony winner Thompson 31 Decorate 32 Double-time dance 33 Nitrogen compound 34 Heredity unit 36 Dorm room accessory 37 Morlock prey 39 “Piece of cake” 42 Green table

Solutions from 08/28/12

divider 44 First or fi nancial follower 45 Barbados, e.g.

46 Stopped gradually, with “out” 47 Kept in touch 48 Core 49 Havens 50 Patio parties, briefl y 53 Word of annoyance 54 Game with Reverse cards

55 “Her name was Magill, and she called herself __”: Beatles lyric 56 It’s illegal to drop it 57 Sitter’s handful 58 Düsseldorf direction 59 High degree

Wednesday, August 29, 2012 10

Women’s soccer faces Clemson Gamecocks riding 2-game win streak Paulina Berkovich

PBERKOVICH@DAILYGAMECOCK.COM

With two straight victories under its belt , the South Carolina women’s soccer team is ready for its biggest game of the season so far.

USC w ill welcome Clemson to Eugene E. Stone III Stadium Saturday night and look to defeat its rival for the fifth consecutive year. Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

“It’s a n a maz i ng ga me,” coach Shelley Smith said. “There’s always so much excitement from both teams and from the crowd. It’s a great event.

We’re always up for that game. Both teams are strong, so you see a good match with top college soccer, and we’re excited to be hosting them.”

USC’s players are proud of their winning streak, but they understand a victory is not guaranteed.

“It’s a confidence boost, but I think we also know that every year is a new year both for us and for Clemson,” ju nior captain Elizabet h Sinclair said. “While it’s good to have in our pocket, we can’t rely on the past to get things done right now. We know they’re definitely improving. Their younger players are now stepping into older roles and fi lling those shoes very well. It’s still going to be a tough game, but I think our defense is ready for them.”

The Tigers come to Colu mbia with a 3-1 record on the year after dominating Presbyterian 6-0 Sunday.

Clemson pulled away with four goals within fi ve minutes in the middle of the second half.

USC has seen an offensive surge of its own of late, tallying fi ve goals in the last two games after scoring just once in the fi rst two games of the

Olivia Barthel / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

South Carolina junior captain Elizabeth Sinclair (7) said the team’s freshmen have impressed the team at the start of the season. season . Forward Coryn Bajema was named SEC Freshman of the Week after recording three goals in South Carolina’s victories over Mercer and Jacksonville.

“We are so happy for her,” Sinclair said. “For a freshman to come in and get that right away and do as well as she’s been doing, it’s just awesome for her and for the team. We really hope that she continues that and continues to step up.”

Bajema, along w it h fellow freshmen Stevi Parker and Courtney Angotti-Smith , have been essential to South Carolina’s offense. Parker scored USC’s final goal on Sunday, while Angotti-Smith leads the team w it h t h ree assist s on t he season .

Sinclair said t he newcomers have impressed their teammates with their contributions so far.

“Both on the field and off the field, t hey’ve been huge,” Sinclair said.

“They’re willing to work for us and willing to do the things we ask of them, even if it’s harder than what they’re used to. Coming into a D-1 sport is really hard, and I think they’re all adjusting and doing a great job and pushing themselves to be better.”

Many of USC’s players are from out of state, but they understand the importance of the rivalry. Sinclair, who is from St. Louis, said the team will do everything possible to extend its winning streak against Clemson.

“Even though we’re from out of

town, we’re part of the Gamecock f a m i l y a n d G a m e c o c k n at io n ,” Sinclair said. “It might not feel as big, but once you step onto the field, the atmosphere and everything gets to you, so you’re willing to do whatever it takes for Carolina to come out on top.”

Note: The Gamecocks will welcome sophomore goalie Sabrina D’Angelo back to the team for Saturday’s match, as the Canadian team was knocked out of the FIFA U-20 World Cup over the weekend. North Korea sent Canada home with a 2-1 win on a late penalty kick .

Comments on this story?

Visit dailygamecock.com/sports

Cross country sets high goals for 2012 Gamecocks start season Friday Colton Menzel

SPORTS@DAILYGAMECOCK.COM

Olivia Barthel / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Sophomore Asa Kryst had a shot on goal off the bench against College of Charleston in Friday’s game.

USC hosts tournament Men’s soccer plays pair of Big Ten teams Kyle Heck

KHECK@DAILYGAMECOCK.COM

For men’s soccer coach Mark Berson, his team has been steadily improving since the first scrimmage of the year.

That improvement continued into the 1-0 victory over College of Charleston on Friday, and Berson hopes he ca n keep it goi ng t h is weekend when USC hosts the Gamecock Classic.

“I think right now the key element for us is execution,” Berson said. “I t h in k t h is group has a good idea about what they’re doing. They have a good idea about what their identit y is out on the field, and now it is a matter of going out and playing well in key situations.”

USC will need to play well ag a i n st No. 15 St . Joh n’s Friday night in the opener of the tournament. The Red Storm have been a traditionally powerful program and are led by coach Dave Masur, who has taken St. John’s to 17 NCAA tournaments in his 20 years of coaching.

“He is one of the outstanding

c o ac he s i n t he c ou nt r y,” Berson said. “They will be very organized and extremely good in the attack. They’re a team that basically comes in with no weaknesses.”

It took the Gamecocks some time to get going Friday against Charleston, notching only two shots in the first half; however, Berson is not planning on changing his strategy, saying that Charleston had a lot to do with the slow start.

USC did have a couple of subst it ute players come in and cont ribute in t he w in over the Cougars, including sophomore Asa Kryst, who had a shot on goal; freshman Devin L’A moreaux, who recorded his first collegiate shot; and freshman Wesley Eads, who did the same.

Berson thinks the substitute players will have even more of an impact in the Gamecock Classic and is planning to use the depth on his team. “ We’ l l g o e v e n d e e p e r into our roster for these two games,” Berson said. “We think depth is absolutely the No. 1 strength of this team. We don’t really have a set starting 11, and I think we can go 15 or 16 deep. I think throughout the year, you’re going to see a lot

of players play important roles for us.”

A fter an off day on Saturday, USC will wrap up the Gamecock Classic against Nort hwestern. The team’s assistant coach Mike Babst held his same position at South Carolina for the last five years before he moved to coach the Wildcats.

“Nort hwestern is out of another power conference (Big Ten) so they’re a very good team,” Berson said. “They have a quality program, and we have ties to both programs. We have a lot of respect for them as well.”

Berson believes his team will need the momentum it has built up over the last few weeks and hopes for a strong showing this weekend.

“It builds confidence, and it builds that moment um,” Berson said. “I think we have been starting to get us used to the level of competition that we’re going to face all year long. But make no mistake about it, this weekend is going to be a step up with St. John’s and Northwestern, and I know our guys will be ready.”

Comments on this story?

Visit dailygamecock.com/sports

There is change in t he air when it comes to c r o s s c ou nt r y at S out h Carolina, if you ask coach St a n Rosent ha l . A f ter a 2011 season riddled with m isfor t u ne a nd i nju r ie s led to an 11th place finish in the SEC, this year the Gamecocks are determined to make it right.

W it h t he 2012 season looming, the runners are looking to achieve the lofty goal set forth by Rosenthal of climbing f rom t he basement of t he SEC to establish the program as a respectable power within the conference. South Carolina kicks off the cross country season at t he G amecock Inv itat ional on Friday at Hilton Field in Fort Jackson.

“I n my yea rs here it ’s really t he f irst t ime I’ve got a group of women all willing to work hard enough to make our goals a real possibility,” Rosenthal said.

Senior Virginia transfer C he l s e a Fr a n c e , t r a c kconverted star Kayla Lampe and team captains Penny Boswell and Meredith Mill will lead the Gamecocks as the top four runners on the squad.

“On paper our top four are pretty good,” Rosenthal sa id. “The impor t a nt thing is keeping those four healthy, having good days when it counts and fi nding our fifth, sixth and seventh runners.”

The fi nal three within the top seven could emerge from a variet y of places within the team. For example, the 2012 season w ill feat u re

the largest recruiting class i n t he h istor y of Sout h C a r ol i n a c ro s s c ou nt r y with 16 freshman runners.

R o s e nt h a l h a s n o t h i n g but glowing reviews of his freshman class.

“In my 12 years it’s our best f reshman class in terms of quality up front,” R o s e nt h a l s a id . “ I f e e l confident that there are so many that by the end of the year, numbers fi ve through seven will be at least close to Penny, Meredith, Kayla and Chelsea.”

But Rosent hal said t he team knows it won’t come ea s y, a nd t he of f sea son training regimen will be c h a l le n g i n g. R o s e nt h a l wasted no t ime t h is fall working the team hard to improve each individual’s time.

“One of our core work out s i s doi n g f ou r repeat m i le s w it h t wo minutes rest,” Rosent hal said. “The idea is to do that workout twice a month in the fall ... Then hopefully we’re a lot faster when the SEC (Championships) roll around.”

W hat is the final goal?

Rosenthal took great pride in explaining just how much his group can accomplish.

“Our main goal is to finish in the top half of the SEC and top 10 in the first round of the NCAAs,” Rosenthal said. “If I’m dreaming, let’s say fi fth in the SEC ... and fifth in the first round of the NCAAs. That would be really special. But dreams can’t happen if you don’t h a v e t h e m . T h a t ’s t h e message we’ve been trying to instill. It’s certainly a possibility.”

Comments on this story?

Visit dailygamecock.com/sports