Thanks for this writeup, Alan. Nicely done. Shane Beamer is easy to pull for. So are the kids and the school, and at least now some of all the money in college football is going to the players. I'm thinking Gamecocks run the table in 2024 and even if I'm wrong I'm still blessed to be from South Carolina and a USC fan.
Up until about 3-4 years ago - pre-NIL and portal - I would have felt the same anticipation. No more. I've had season tickets almost 40 years. Now, I get recruiting updates and I don't care nor do I read them. What about the fact the Gamecocks are now in the [virtual] SEC West? USC had a sense of tradition playing UT, UF and UGA. That's gone. The stadium environment no longer allows "renewing old bonds" with long time seat mates because there must be constant noise. I went to one MBB game and one baseball game in Raleigh, and zero football games. I'm sure the athletic department will say "good riddance" when I leave the Gamecock Club. I don't think I'll be alone. Maybe a new generation of fans will quickly take my spot and embrace and relish 5-7 minute instant replays, 4 minute commercial breaks , one and done players, and noon kickoffs.
Thanks for reading and commenting, James. I feel your pain. Kudos to you for being a season ticket holder for 40 years, and all the ups and downs you've endured. Agree that the absence of UT, UF and UGA is hard to fathom, as are so many things in this strange period we're going through.
Thanks for this writeup, Alan. Nicely done. Shane Beamer is easy to pull for. So are the kids and the school, and at least now some of all the money in college football is going to the players. I'm thinking Gamecocks run the table in 2024 and even if I'm wrong I'm still blessed to be from South Carolina and a USC fan.
Agree with you 100%. Thanks, Jeff!
Up until about 3-4 years ago - pre-NIL and portal - I would have felt the same anticipation. No more. I've had season tickets almost 40 years. Now, I get recruiting updates and I don't care nor do I read them. What about the fact the Gamecocks are now in the [virtual] SEC West? USC had a sense of tradition playing UT, UF and UGA. That's gone. The stadium environment no longer allows "renewing old bonds" with long time seat mates because there must be constant noise. I went to one MBB game and one baseball game in Raleigh, and zero football games. I'm sure the athletic department will say "good riddance" when I leave the Gamecock Club. I don't think I'll be alone. Maybe a new generation of fans will quickly take my spot and embrace and relish 5-7 minute instant replays, 4 minute commercial breaks , one and done players, and noon kickoffs.
Thanks for reading and commenting, James. I feel your pain. Kudos to you for being a season ticket holder for 40 years, and all the ups and downs you've endured. Agree that the absence of UT, UF and UGA is hard to fathom, as are so many things in this strange period we're going through.