I was a freshman at Carolina in 76-77. The first game I saw in the old Carolina Coliseum was a drubbing by a top ranked Kentucky squad. However the highlight of the game for me was watching a young freshman named Graziano slug it out in the middle against Kentucky's big men until the very end. He never quit. One of the best things I remembered from my freshman year in Columbia. Kudos to you Jim!
Love the story. I graduated USC in 69 and basketball was huge as you know. Just an editorial comment, wasn’t it Sol Jr. and not Sr. I could be wrong. I’m from Barnwell County. Played football against Greg who was a nice guy and pretty good qb. I think his Dad was Jr.
Hi Richard, thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment. From newspaper reports I've reviewed from the time, it was Sr. who was involved. Although you are right, that Jr. was Greg's dad, and was also heavily involved with USC, and in fact was a BOT member, serving on the athletics committee for a time.
All indications were that Greg was a very good guy and was sort of caught up in the drama between his granddad and McGuire. Notes from primary sources I've read (The State) quoted him as saying something to the effect that he left McGuire's staff for an assistant position with The Citadel to get away from the drama. He said (paraphrasing) "I just want to coach basketball."
Alan, in Jerry Tarkanian‘s autobiography he addressed the recruitment of Graz. he said that people often ask him if he used Sinatra in recruiting while he was at UNLV. He explained that he only did it one time and then went on to tell the reason why he only did it one time. He had heard that Graz’s mom was a huge fan of Sinatra so he asked him to call her and put in a good word for him. Tark said that some time went by and he hadn’t heard from Sinatra, so he reached out to him to ask how it went. He said Sinatra replied “well I’ve got some good news that I’ve got some bad news. Which do you want first “ Tark said he told him give me the bad news first. Sinatra replied “the bad news is the kid’s not coming to UNLV.” Tark said he took a deep breath and said “what is the good news?” Sinatra replied “his mother said he’s going to South Carolina to play for Frank McGuire. I told her that’s a great decision. I’ve known Frank since the 40s and he’s a wonderful guy.’”
Definitely one of my favorite Frank McGuire stories
Alan, I am more and more impressed about how you can capture a time in South Carolina Sports in such fluid, succinct and elaborate detail. Thank you!
Thank you, my friend. I always appreciate you reading and your kind comment!
Great article. Graz was the man. Anyone know where Steve Harty is these days ? He was on the Gamecocks squad with him.
I was a freshman at Carolina in 76-77. The first game I saw in the old Carolina Coliseum was a drubbing by a top ranked Kentucky squad. However the highlight of the game for me was watching a young freshman named Graziano slug it out in the middle against Kentucky's big men until the very end. He never quit. One of the best things I remembered from my freshman year in Columbia. Kudos to you Jim!
Thanks for reading, and for taking the time to comment. Great memories!
Love the story. I graduated USC in 69 and basketball was huge as you know. Just an editorial comment, wasn’t it Sol Jr. and not Sr. I could be wrong. I’m from Barnwell County. Played football against Greg who was a nice guy and pretty good qb. I think his Dad was Jr.
Hi Richard, thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment. From newspaper reports I've reviewed from the time, it was Sr. who was involved. Although you are right, that Jr. was Greg's dad, and was also heavily involved with USC, and in fact was a BOT member, serving on the athletics committee for a time.
All indications were that Greg was a very good guy and was sort of caught up in the drama between his granddad and McGuire. Notes from primary sources I've read (The State) quoted him as saying something to the effect that he left McGuire's staff for an assistant position with The Citadel to get away from the drama. He said (paraphrasing) "I just want to coach basketball."
Alan, in Jerry Tarkanian‘s autobiography he addressed the recruitment of Graz. he said that people often ask him if he used Sinatra in recruiting while he was at UNLV. He explained that he only did it one time and then went on to tell the reason why he only did it one time. He had heard that Graz’s mom was a huge fan of Sinatra so he asked him to call her and put in a good word for him. Tark said that some time went by and he hadn’t heard from Sinatra, so he reached out to him to ask how it went. He said Sinatra replied “well I’ve got some good news that I’ve got some bad news. Which do you want first “ Tark said he told him give me the bad news first. Sinatra replied “the bad news is the kid’s not coming to UNLV.” Tark said he took a deep breath and said “what is the good news?” Sinatra replied “his mother said he’s going to South Carolina to play for Frank McGuire. I told her that’s a great decision. I’ve known Frank since the 40s and he’s a wonderful guy.’”
Definitely one of my favorite Frank McGuire stories
Wonderful article! Reading it reversed my age back to my childhood. So many names, so many of my early heroes - thanks for the trip. Wow!
Thanks you, my friend!