Palmetto Proving Grounds

October 13, 1984. My dad took me to the Pitt game (I was 10). I was not a Gamecock on the ride to Columbia but became one when I got there. We won 45-21 and James Seawright's name was called after every defensive play; I think he had 76 tackles. That game took us to 5-0 I think.

September 1991 when I was three. I havent missed a home game since. Been to every school in the sec plus some ooc games, with the exception of Texas a&m and missiouri of course. Started buying season tickets when I was 18

1983 (I believe) against Southern Cal. We won, but I don't remember by how much. I do remember sitting in the East Upper with my best friend and his family (the same guy I took to the Clemson game this past year).

I may have been to an earlier game, though, b/c I have a memory of seeing those east stands with no upper deck. I think there was a press box or something. I've never bothered to ask my dad when the earliest he would have taken me would be. I don't think I went anywhere from 80 or so until that Southern Cal game, though b/c my memories should be more solid. I was 9 for that game.

Also of note, I remember before that my dad stopping by the stadium around 82 or so (the field was still astroturf) and talking to the coach (Bell, maybe?) while the team was inside the stadium running laps. I had a picture of me that day standing just off the corner of the end zone on the Northwest side (my mother probably still has it somewhere). I'll never forget b/c I was disappointed that all they were doing was running.

Not sure but it was in the late 50's. I do know we won because I remember seeing Marvin Bass the next day at church. It was cool for a kid to see him and say "Great game coach". That I remember.

Oct. 6, 1962. Home opener vs. Georgia, 7-7 tie. (Back then, the season didn't start till the third week in September).

It was at Clemson. Marvin Bass was our coach. A friend and I attended not knowing who we would pull for. The Gamecocks lost but we came away lifetime Gamecock fans. The home field envonment up there stunk!

The 42-14 game? I was there.

1965 Clemson game at Carolina Stadium. I was 5 years old. Brother was a freshman at Carolina. Down from Greenville with my mom & dad, my uncle (Mom's brother), & my 11 year old cousin. Uncle was a rabid Clemson fan & my dad was a Clemson fan, but not as "all in" as my uncle. Of course, 11 yr. old cousin was brain-washed & tried to get me to cheer every time something good happened for the taters. Mom had never cared for Clemson & when my brother opted for USC, she became dyed-in-the-wool Gamecock. When the taters scored a TD late, they were within one point, so they went for the 2 pt. conversion. When the pass failed, the Gamecock fans went nuts, of course, & my mom was clapping loudly as Dad, my uncle, & cousin dropped their heads. A few seconds later, as the home crowd counted down the final 10 seconds, my mom was right there with them. With the final tic she pretty much shoved her fist in the faces of Dad & my Uncle!! Not my cousin, of course...she would never do that to an 11 year old. Dad, in later years & with a rueful smile, would recall my brother , fresh from sitting in the student section, meeting us after that game & exclaiming, "We beat the hell out of 'em"!!

Miami game on August 30, 1986. I was a freshman at USC. I had been a fan, but had never attended a game. It was an odd weather day. It was actually cold. Some weird cold front moved in. I think the high was in 50s or low 60s. I'm not kidding.

1998 against Tennessee, we lost 49-14