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Staley, Beamer, Rucker help fund USC band’s trip to NY for Macy’s Thanksgiving parade

Big thanks for these donations. Lots of other folks at the university have also donated, including Deans of most of the colleges on campus- along with others.

Coach Staley in particular has a bit of a habit of financially supporting the band. Earlier this year she paid for the travelling band to eat lunch on one of their trips to support the women's team in the NCAA tournament. When they won the national title, she made a point of bringing the trophy over to the band so they could hold it and get their picture taken with it.


They leave early Sunday morning. In New York City all week. Even play a mini-concert near the Brooklyn Bridge on Wednesday with the UMASS marching band. Return just in time to attend the Clemson game Saturday.

A fair number of fans (like me and my family) are going to be in the city all week. Local Gamecock alum clubs in New York will also be attending some of the events to support the band.

Can I say I told you so

I took so much flak back in August when I tried to tell people on here how good this team could be. People thought I was absolutely wrong. I will not repeat some of what was said but I thought it was funny to be accused of being on the BOT.

The following is some of what I said…

I know after last year's let down; it is hard to get hyped.

For some reason it seems I remember in 2022 people were saying 2024 was going to be a big year for us. Several of the recruits we were hoping for back then did sign on last year. I do not remember what it was about this year that seemed so different, but maybe 2024 will be the year. We really do have some decent talent now.

Can Sellers show out like a future Heisman candidate?

Can the O-line stay healthy and not only protect Sellers but open up some holes for our running backs?

Can the RBs like Rocket get some 100 + yard games?

Can some of the new WR shine like Legette did last year?

Will Nick show why being so fast can be huge for a WR that can leave the other team's secondary back in dust?

Can our defense hold the other team to occasional FGs and start getting more INTs?

Even in the Clemson game the defense did not allow a TD. Can they continue to play like that, and our offense actually be scoring TDs?

Can our Special teams be explosive again? How many TDs will we get on special teams?

So many questions going through my mind.
I feel the talent is there and we have the coaches to develop that talent. But will it happen? Even Saban said it could be close.
I think after we see them play August 31, we might have some confidence back. But I think Sept 7 will really tell us what we might be able to expect this year.
But even beating UK don't mean much when you still have LSU, ALA, and OKL games to play.

Out of 12 games, 8 are already ranked in the pre-season. Does that help calm the hype or not? Sadly, for me, No.

How do I feel? I feel we are all going to be surprised and impressed with our team this year. I just printed this and taped it to my office wall.


Then later that week I posted this in a thread…Aug 26, 2024

8-4 and you can quote me all season long if you want. But I sure hope a couple will be willing to apologize when it happens.


I have been a Gamecock since 1976. I have gotten my feelings hurt a bunch. But I sure am glad I was right this year. Now I feel I was wrong about 8-4. I think we will do 9-3. Some people were swearing we would have 7 loses this season.

Sellers is outstanding and getting better every week. He will be better than Rattler was. And like I said, he is like another RB out there. Very hard to tackle and has a great arm even when running.

Our O line has stayed healthy and they are getting better too. Having so many on the roster (16 OL on the roster) to substitute and give them breathers has been huge this year. Great planning by Beamer.

Our D is like watching the Fire Ant D again. So, so good. Way to go Clayton.

Our Special teams is not so special yet but Kai Kroeger is kicking it way deeper this year.


Sorry to write so much but still upset at all the trash that was thrown at me before the season started.

I gotta say, this years team has taken me by surprise

I really didn't think we'd be this good this year but the players and coaching has really stepped it up. The team is really looking good in every game except maybe ole miss. Can't help but wonder how bad our team and and staff will be plundered at the end of the season. Seems to happen everytime we start getting somewhere.

Venables' wife

NORMAN — OU football coach Brent Venables' wife, Julie, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2023, had surgery to remove a tumor last week, Venables announced during his weekly coaches show on Monday night.

Venables said Julie's cancer returned in May and she's been traveling back and forth between Norman and New York the past several months. He added she's doing "amazing" as of now.

Julie told The Oklahoman in March she had "zero cancer" and felt great.

"Her spirit and her strength is nothing short of amazing," Venables said. "We've got a great team and great faith. It's in God's hands, a big part of the battle was her wanting to just fight and keep swinging and that's what she's doing."

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/spo...e-julie-venables-cancer-returned/76417831007/

Anyone know the facts/story concerning Kitt's not being allowed to play yesterday?

They stated that it was an academic issue ... (LOL!!! I'm certain that she can spell her name without assistance) but, it's somewhat odd that she wasn't allowed to play, yet allowed to dress, allowed to sit on the bench and allowed to travel out-of-state, with the team.

The only things I can think of: 1} It was a Coach Staley benching (for whatever reason) or 2) She just skipped an exam/test without permission.

C'mon, .... dudes playing in their 7th year of eligibility?, dudes playing for their 3rd & 4th school?, a ROYAL A-hole suing the NCAA for additional eligibility since N.I.L. wasn't allowed during his first two years? An NFL Player getting his degree 15 years after flunking out and without ever having attended another class since???

SERIOUSLY .... I used to think it was only about the $$$... NO!!!! It's only about the stupidity. They used to call it Prostitution ... making money for using your body, for display or abuse ... now they're called Sex Industry Workers or Professional Athletes.

6-6, 225-pound Kings Mountain, NC William Vaughn talks Gamecocks visit, offer

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North Carolina was first to tender 6-foot-6, 225-pound Class of 2026 tight end William Vaughn an offer on Sept. 14 after his gameday visit to Chapel Hill. Since then, his recruitment has blown up, with 10 others following, including big-name Power Four programs Duke, Florida, Florida State, Michigan State, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia.

Vaughn received his No. 12 offer from the Gamecocks at the Missouri game. "It was amazing. I felt great," he said in reaction to hearing the news. Vaughn heard of the offer from tight ends' coach Shawn Elliott, he told me. "Yes sir. The conversation was great. He has a lot of energy," he said.

Vaughn likes what he sees in Elliott as a coach and a person, he said. "As a coach, he gives a lot of energy to the team, and as a person, he is willing to answer any questions that you have."

He likes the program's fan support and believes he would fit in well in Carolina's offense. "I feel like I would fit in on the offense, and the fans are wild," Vaughn said.


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