University of South Carolina Libraries
\ Woods cautious m t ** I I Woods faces high expectations this fall. He is concerned about inexperience because of the loss of key offensive linemen. Classes are starting right now. KAPLAN | I CANOE TRIPS I Columbia's Big MHMB hole in the w hWMhmmm Large grout Adventure f qc Carolina Inc. 1107 State St., Cayce, SC 29033 Arr (803) 796-4505 about up By ANDREW BORGERT and IMAINCY ?AL,UMUI>?IVlf V Staff Writers o For most people summer vaca- a tion is a time to rest and relax, but P for head football coach Sparky I Woods it has been business as usual ^ as he prepares for the upcoming t? season. a Last seasons' player revolt h caused Woods to re-evaluate his coaching strategy. /"We have set aside time for conversation with the players and to get ? the input of the players. It seems r like last year, when we were losing, everyone was trying harder and c harder to try and come up with a I way to win, and less time talking," { Woods said. t. The coaching staff has also set up a player committee to give team C input to the decision-making process. The players select the member of the committee, and they meet with the coaches every so often. "We meet to talk about policy, gripes and things that they are con- jj cerned about," Woods said. p Talking with and listening to the ^ players seems to be a key in keeping the relationship strong between g coach and athlete. p "I think that I have always been \> honest and straight forward. We a have always allowed the players to 0 give input. Players decide on the uniforms and lots of things that they s< are probably not able to do at other ^ schools," Woods said. WE DELIVER I Five Points Best! Lfm Pizza, i&Tru wings, grilled W sandwiches * and fresh salads . _ M igesx all! js welcome 252-9464 I 0 Harden St. oss from Food Lion coming i "We have an open-door policy, thi /e require the players to come in go nee a semester, we actually set up be 15- to 20-minute meeting with the at layer one on one. During that time, th; ask them what can I do to help he tern, and I ask them what they can it j :11 me to be a better coach. They re pretty honest, so that is helpful," ac e said. lo: La 'There's a lull in there, Sii )ut I think the antici)ation for the fall is ;ood. It's going to be to un and like every- atl 1 . 1 - / . ov rung eise, it s at a w; ligher pitch this time se )fyear...,, be J ov scl Sparky Woods Head Fooball Coach ^ Rc th< During the off-season, Woods ag Ices to remain in contact with his fa< layers, making sure they stick to leir fitness program. H< "We give them a written pro- wl ram, and we ask them to fill out tei rogress cards that we send to them. th< Ve also communicate weekly with letter in terms of what is going an n," Woods said. ba Ending last season 5-1 created a co snse of enthusiasm Woods hopes rill carry over to this season. "There's a lull in there, but I 4441 Devine St. @ B FRE[^0 The Maxx, #1 To the first 25 people to sign-up for our FREE membership, (must have this ad to receive book season ink the anticination for the fall is od," Woods said. "It's going to fun and like everything else, it's a higher pitch this time of year an it has been since I've been re, but it will continue to raise as gets closer to August" The Gamecocks have had recent ademic problems resulting in the ss of Lawrence Mitchell, Tony lw and Kyle Cloyd. Losing the ayers affected Woods as well as ; team. "I think that the only thing worse i : 1 ~ hi lusiug a game 15 lUMiig mi auie, because I think that they need be in school and need to gradue. That is most disappointing erall. I think that apparently there as a wake-up call from first mester to second semester cause, although we lost those, erall the team did much better in hool," Woods said. A major bonus for Carolina this 11 is the return of senior fullback )b DeBoer,^>vho was drafted by ; Toronto Blue Jays a few weeks o. A smile appeared on Woods' x as he talked about DeBoer. "Rob is a real special young man. - in.u : is a very unsemsn young man 10 is devoted to cause and to his im," Woods said. "He is probably ; ultimate team player." With Brandon Bennett, DeBoer d Steve Taneyhill returning in the ckfield, the Gamecocks' main ncern will be the offensive line. "I think that is the biggest chalSee Woods page 11 leltline 782-7900 Qfteic? ^ I IK./ 1 ?11 1?i?i ' ? = i V ' DEVINE M I _ COMICS 4=1 S Harden E \ s :) 1 HSC | S