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Coach Woo< By RICH TAYLOR some athletic skills. ! Sports Editor they'll make a contri The Gamecock football team, year's football team coming off last year's somewhat in years ahead." disappointing 6-5 campaign, enter On the offensive si 1991 with hopes of culminating the Gamecocks are - -I--H i.L their season witn a Dowl Did. U5L. sjuh pusiuons wiui last appeared in a bowl back in experienced players. 1988, falling 34-10 to Indiana Uni- line, however, lost th versity in the 30th Liberty Bowl graduation and repl; Classic. The loss ran the Game- parted players is a cock's anemic record in bowl ap- concern, pearances to 0-8. This season, 'Offensively, I ho however, may indeed be the year tinue with the style that the 'Cocks break into the bowl that we had last yea victory column. lated. "We'd like t< Head Coach Spaiky Woods dis- J* cussed the upcoming season during . fact that we Ins Media Day on August 14, and in- ^lyer Tthta dicated that senior leadership will J! play a vital role in determining the b- Jj ^ ^ fiomp/wlrs' fate ^CKies, Han Stephens, wno are be "Coming into camp, we must N*31" come out with some solid senior "Out of the offensi leadership," Woods explained. "I turn only two start? think certainly our seniors will an(* Antoine Rivens carry a big bulk of responsibility ^ going to carry j in that they have to create an envi- leadership responsil ronment that will allow our youn- 80t 10 ma^e sure w< ger players to cut it loose and util- right place to b ize their abilities to help us. There those young ones al< is no better place to establish lead- good, sound offensi1 ership than in camp. We'll be ^eve ^at ^ we do practicing twice a day and its hot have more weapon; We ask the seniors to set the ex- ^ad since I ve been h ample and be good positive leaders , , during camp's trying times." We do have some Woods' first impression of the work with on the incoming freshman class is a posi- ^ looking at pe tive one Sweet Danny Brand rell and Curtis Gc "I'm very pleased with the new young players like members of the football team that and Antwan Jackso we brought in," Woods said, newcomer Ernest Dy "They have all been very attentive, chance to compel very coachable, and have shown positions. 'the fuller file"! PERSON Quarterback f^P ^"2'205' Senic Career Passing Stati, (Years with an asterick indicate play at Appalachiai io^ fnk C(l?p- ,nt- Pct- Yds- T 1987 105 54 4 51.4 591 ; 1988- 217 115 7 533 1668 1 1990 294 171 9 530 2 372 1 Totals 616 340 20 M.2 4,631 3 ^ Dan Barabas. TH Southeastern By RICH TAYLOR Sports Editor On July 1, 1991, the University of South Carolina officially became the twelth member of the Southeastern Conference. The school had accepted an invitation to join the all-sports league on September 25, 1990. 'This is indeed a monumental step forward for the South Carolina Gamecocks," said Gamecock athletic director King Dixon in a statement released by the USC sports information department. "As we look ahead to the last decade of this century and beyond, we're excited about having the opportunity to compete in what we believe is the finest all-sports conference in the country ? the Southeastern Conference." "It was important that we become a member of an all-sports conference in order to sustain the growth of /\nf nrnrrmmC 5lt thp T Tniuprcih; onH thp QTJP cKahIH UU1 -? ?v Viitfvioiijr aiiu UIV U1-,V- OllUUlU allow us to do that. We're dedicated to. competing consistently in all of our varsity sports within the SEC and by judging from the performances of the SEC schools this past sports season, we certainly will be competing against the best" The best indeed. A quick review of recent successes of member schools and their student-athletes paints an overwhelming portrait of athletic excellence within the conference. During the course of the 1990-91 school year, the SEC produced six national championship teams, 25 individual national champions and 297 (!) AllAmerica performers. Additionally, 86 SEC teams made NCAA appearances, including four bowl appearances in football, and three athletes were named ds discusses t some really Sparky Woods k our biggest "We are very blessed at wide re- or tee those two ceiver. We have four seniors there er is and Calvin with Robert Brooks, Eddie Miller, H )th now in the David Pitchko and Bralyn Bennett, gr Robert looks very healthy. He's a be ve line we re- guy that can really make plays for ag rs, Jay Killen you." hi . Again, they To the surprise of no one, quari bulk of the terback is one position that Woods ha kilitti Wa'ua fftels ronfiHp.nf ahnnt Rohhv Fnllpr vp L/llllJ . ?T V f V J ~ *""VA / % 5 get them in returns for his senior year after yc ring some of passing for 2,372 yards and 13 in Dng and get a touchdowns in 1990. Capable an ve line. I be- backup Wright Mitchell returns as m so, we may well, j than we've ere. "I believe our quarterback is a W guy who can put the ball in our re- cc talented guys ceivers' hands," Woods said. "I'm pr line, though, very confident in Bobby Fuller and ople like Rich that he will put us in the right cc ti, Kenny Far- place. He can get the ball to those ha >dwin. Some guys who can produce first downs a Kevin Wade and touchdowns. ca n along with "Depthwise, our running back e will have a situation is in the best shape since te :e for those I've been here. We don't have the in dominant back like a Harold Green W ^ ^ : : n ' ^ ^ ? Date Oppor Sept. 7 Dufc Sept. 14 at West \ Sept. 21 Virginia L Sept. 28 at East C Oct* JilWflastl ennej , state) (Hotnecc ? Wv ij . Oct. 12 Louisian _ , Octl9 aSM&gU, i? n?;2 N?rr Q 7C | II Nov. 9 at Florid o /a Nov. 16 at North ( - .;?V|qem \ ' ' - :: .. ' - ' E GAMECOCK/ l Conference Player of the Year in their respective sports. Let's take a look at the SEC sport by sport: Football. As previously stated, four conference teams made bowl appearances this past season. If Florida had not been on probation, the number would have been five. Tennessee defeated Virginia in the Sugar Bowl to finish 8th in the final AP poll. SEC teams also participated in the Peach (Auburn), Gator (Ole Miss) and Fiesta (Alabama) Bowls. As most realize, the SEC perennially features Ail-Americans like Bo Jackson, Cornelius Bennett and Emmit Smith. Men's basketball. LSU's Shaquille O'Neal was the AP college basketball Plaver of the Year. Five mem ber schools, half of the conference, received NCAA tournament bids, while Kentucky was denied only because of probation. The Wildcats nonetheless finished the season ranked ninth in the final AP poll. Women's basketball. Tennessee won the national championship, their third title in five years. The Lady Vols' Daedra Charles was the nation's Player of the Year. Seven of the league's ten teams were in the NCAA tourney, with Georgia joining Tennessee in the Final Four. Baseball. LSU won the national championship, winning the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. It was the second consecutive year the national championship went to an SEC team, as Georgia won the crown in 1990. Overall, four league teams were invited to the NCAA regionals. Men's indoor track. Ole Miss was the SEC's best, finishing ninth in the nation. Women's indoor track. Four teams finished in the 11991 Game Gerald Dixon ^me since Fve been he Mike Dingle, but we have sev- numbers to play < al backs that can play. Albert secondary. I m pleased aynes, the only senior in the Coach West and oup, looks healthier than he has dridge will add a lot of sen since being injured two years 10 our defensive foo ;o at North Carolina. I expect Gerald Dixon, who wi m to have a good year. outside linebacker, net "We return Rob DeBoer, who an outstanding year. Ge is playing experience from last potential to do that, sar. Add to that alot of talented great attitude and is a 1 >ung guys. Hopefully we will be I anticipate him to be a position to play several backs some type of recogi id I think the backfield will have player, ore soeed than in the nast." "Robert Gibson is ar outside linebacker wh Summarizing the offense, factor for people to d roods said "if our offensive line far as trying to move >mes together, we should be very against us. It's comfor oductive." a guy like Joe Reaves I After a good start, the Game- backer and we return ck defense faltered in the latter up front. Marty nee ilf of the 1990 season, including strong leader for the ol horrible performance in the apo- to come along. Cedri ilyptic 38-35 loss to The Citadel. will play the nose. V foods sought remedy to the Brown at the other de am's defensive woes by bringing position we have three i highly regarded coaches Tommy didates to start on th test and Miles Aldridge to act as line." 1991 ^ ^ ' THE ii^nay^taM'feiay- , < ** irolin?^^^^^0|)rrij Qa:t: ssee Stafei;iS30 piffl R e c e i v i i MI^BBMMMMI Year a Tech 1:30 pm ]|88 t]990 lirr.r S.cUe l^O prr, K t c k 0 f f a 2:00 pmi Year |aroliriM;>#S:3Q pnS 1989 - ,A 18 1990 son -v?' .vl:30;|to8 Totals ' F v ;:^,:.: |f:y:" ' K|||::;,:' V welcomes C top ten nationally, led by national champs LSU. JJ? J Men's outdoor track. Five schools finished in the Top 20, with Tennessee claiming the national anc* championship. mai Women's outdoor track. Three teams in the top 8en six, with LSU winning it all. nev Men's swimming. Five teams in the Top 20 at season's end, with Florida (3rd) and Tennessee (5th) P611 leading the way. Get Women's swimming. Seven teams finished the resl year ranked 35th or better, with Florida (3rd) and Gar Georgia (8th) the conference's best. Au' Men's tennis. Georgia finished as national runners- An< up, with star A1 Parker named ITCA Player of the San Year. Five other teams made the NCAA playoffs. we^ Women's tennis. Five teams advanced to the ^lo NCAA playoffs, led by semi-finalists Florida and Georgia. Women's gymnastics. Alabama won it all, with I Georgia, Florida, LSU and Auburn all finishing in the the Top Ten. USC does not field a program in this SEC Pre dominated sport. Bri Volleyball. LSU went to the Final Four and Ken- to ; tucky advanced to the South Region Semifinals. tior Obviously, the SEC is an incredible all-sports gro league. The Gamecocks will be challenged, to say the cor least, in every sport. What is perhaps most exciting ahe about competing in the conference, though, is know- we ing that a team that finishes at the top of the SEC entl standings is in all probability near, if not at, the top to of the national standings as well. the For those with a passion for sports, there could be ( cocks rs. As a re- Redshirt freshman Marty Simpense should son, a former high school alliting and American at Columbia's Spring Valley High, will assume the e our style placement duties, while senior f aggresive- Darren Parker returns to handle the d. "We are punting chores. >w that will "Kicking-wise, we lost Collin day a more Mackie, who was the most acculoesn't give rate placekicker I've had in the rushers are college game," Woods said. "But eople are. I'm excited about having Marty give us a Simpson. Marty has the potential >eed on the to be a great kicker. He will imto a three prove our ability to kick the ball rsonnel bet- off. Having Darren Parker back as n stand up our punter is good. He should have or the first an outstanding year." re, we have The 1991 schedule is a tough i four-deep one. Included are home dates with with that. 1990 co-national champion Georrnarh Al- eia Tech. a touch Virginia Tech confidence team that returns virtually everytball team, one and a Clemson team that some ill play one believe has a legitimate shot at the jds to have national title. Add to that road tilts ;rald has the with UNC, West Virginia, and pieHe's got a season #1 Florida State and it belard worker, comes obvious that the Gamecocks in line for are going to have to be vastly imlition as a proved to better last season's 6-5 mark. 'Other senior "Our schedule is a great chalo will be a |enge for us ? Woods said. "We're leal with as g0jng t0 have to be good early, the lootba pjay a jiar(j sche(juie that ting to have should be fun to watch each week iur 31 an^ our football team is excited Marty Dye a5QUt tackling the challenge." ds to be a jf ^ football team tackles the iher lineman chalienge with better results than J. y last year's team tackled The Civith Bobby ballcarriers, it could indeed fensive end banner for Gamecock strong cane defensive football, with a bowl bid a distinct possibility. Stay tuned. ?S FILE^I , PERSONAL Wide Receiver I 6-0, 175, Senior Greenwood, SC f (HS) \ :eer Statistcs * g No. Yds. Avg. TD Long 34 508 14.9 4 97 34 471 13.9 4 29 33 548 16.6 6 54 101 1,527 15.1 14 97 Returns No. Yds. Avg. TD Long 28 627 22.4 1 98 24 564 23.5 0 56 10 246 24.6 0 57 62 1,437 23.2 1 98 Dan Barabas, THE GAMECOCK/ arolina better time to be enrolling at Carolina. Home footI games against nationally-ranked Georgia Tech the despised Clemson Tigers in 1991. The superb l-child Shaquille O'Neal and his fellow LSU Ti5 invading Carolina Coliseum to do battle with the / look (God, I hope so!) Gamecocks of Coach ve Newton. Baseball games under the lights at extly manicured Sarge Frye Field against the likes of )rgia and LSU, national champs in 1990 and 1991, pectively. Coach Nancy Wilson's talented Lady necocks squaring off against national powerhouses 3um, Georgia and Tennessee, all three SEC foes, i in 1992, the football schedule includes home les against Georgia, Arkansas, and Tennessee, as il as away games with Alabama, Clemson, and rida. Anyone for a roadtrip to Gainesville? I light so. n closing, I urge incoming students to contribute to excitement that prompted the 1989 Sporting News season College Football Guide to rate Williamsce Stadium as the 3rd best place in all of America attend a college football game. The same publica1 ranked Gamecock football fans the 4th rowdiest up in the nation, a ranking we hope to improve on isidering our counterparts at Clemson were ranked ad of us (#3). Gamecock athletics is on the rise as enter the SEC. As a new student, your support and husiasm will help enable Carolina fans to continue be regarded among the loudest and most rabid in nation. 30 COCKS!