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I Mathis wii KELLY MAGUIRE Senior Writer TRAVIS PHILLIPS Staff Writer Clint Mathis. The name is synonymoi with the success of the Carolina soccer pr gram. Sadly, the senior Ail-American froi Conyers, Ga., is close to reaching the er of an incredible career at USC. For those of you who have followe Gamecock soccer over the past four year perhaps what stands out most aboi Mathis is his 25 goal, Ail-American, soph more season. However, Mathis' contribi a tions have been so much more than his abi ity to score seemingly impossible goals. Mathis began his career at the age < three. His family was very soccer orienteso that created his passion to play. In high school, Mathis received mar honors, including 1993 Gatorade Player i the Year in Georgia, was a member of tl US National Team Pool for three year earned All-State, All-Area, and All-Confe ciiLc iiuuuxs ma juiiiui cLLiu. semui aeciauu and was selected Soccer Scene All-Amerit ^ his senior year. Mathis' career led him to Carolina base on the quality of the program and the coi venient location. "I think soccer players in general, tl way that they play on the field, in most ca es, mirrors their personality, and Clint is person that has his own style and he has h own style on the field as a player,"USC Hea Soccer Coach Mark Berson said. "He's a vei explosive and a very dynamic player o ^ the field." Mathis' style happened to be right c target because he arrived, contributed in mediatelv. and by his sophomore year wa an Ail-American. "That was the type of season where oi team was playing great and that's real] what allowed me to be able to do that," Mat] is said referring to his sophomore season, just happened to be at the right place at tl right time and everything was going grei for us. But the main thing was how the tea ^ was playing. It wasn't like I did anything e: tra to score that many goals. My teammah put me in those situations." Despite all the success that Mathis In had, it hasn't always been an easy roai There have been times when he's strui gled and times that were frustrating. Or of those times was following his sophomoi season. The Gamecocks were in the NCA tournament when tragedy struck. Mathis was on the field and sudden] blew out his left knee. It was an injur that required surgery, and for the ner season, Mathis had to wear a knee brae ^rfoadrunnefS * fV^A KlNGOFLATCNll I ?3SB& ?saSssSleO ISQsC&sOLsX For Games Pla The Wintei Dec. 5,1997 thru ^ Game St. Joseph's (PA) South Carolina State Towson State Vanderbilt Louisiana State Special distribution of stud Monday Dec.l and Tuesda until 4 p.m. Distribution wi the Russell House. Studen' available on game day at tl Office Student Ticket wind halftime of the game. Valida for the SEC games and $11 conference games. Validatl at distribution or at the Coli Students are not guarant to each game, only the rigt as student tickets are aval Remember, the good sea your ticket as soon as you Handicapped or disabled assistance by callin, ) Tl ids down all "There was a long period of last year ? where he really didn't feel like he should ? be wearing his brace, that he was tired of it," Berson said. "He was just kind of frus13 trated with life and soccer and everything ?" and I think he emerged from that experi^ ence as a more dedicated player, as a more 1 enthusiastic participant in everything." ^ !C^ "That was definitely a hard s' time. Sophomore year, the team was doing so well, and then all of a ?" sudden, in the tournament that x~ happens, and I no longer can 4* Jww play for albout six months, ^ 3f been out that ie long from socs cer," Mathis said. * r- "But, Fm glad I exs, perienced it, '-wm^ ia cause I think * < m 1 WM it maae me re^ alize that Hey a_ it could end, it's not always going to be . fjtff ie there.' I think > \ s" it actually Jm ,a helped me out. 1S I came back and I actually think Fm play^ ing better now, than I did before." Cy Mathis worked hard to regain his form and actually emerged stronger than ever. After his incredible sophomore season, he ,n became a marked man in every match. a" The pressure could get to some players, 18 but Mathis didn't let it bother him. "I really don't look at it as being any h* pressure situation towards me because I only ly can do what I can and I don't think coach, b- or anybody like that, expects anything more "I than I can do," Mathis said. "He's definitely a first class soccer playa er. He's definitely a few levels above a lot m of players," senior Robbie Pait said. "When x" you have someone out there playing at his 5S ability, it makes their play pick up a great deal as well." *s This ability enabled Mathis to be selected to the World University Games. Math? is played this summer in a game against te Italy, in which approximately 21,000 people re watched him. ^ When Mathis came back for his senior season, he discussed moving to more of a dely fensive role. This would seem absurd to any y one who knows of his offensive capabilict ties, however Mathis' attitude was one of e. doing whafs best for the team. 156-ROAD P3 256-7623 Ca rEDELIUERY K F5WTI Colic Additions I $11 H'OOsGssS ?^ ?? ? ? iviin. f I Wide Ri lyed During | r Break Jan. 12,1998 |~" I 1 Sat. Dec. 20 Tues. Dec.23 Tues. Dec.30 Wed. Jan.7 1^. Sat. Jan.10 lent tickets will be y Dec.2 from 9 a.m. II be in Room 205 of t tickets will also be he Coliseum Ticket ow from 9 a.m. until [ j | ition will cost $12.00 IM r\ nn ??-l. x i f l?.uu uciaii iur nuii- s ions will be available I L i seum on game night. :eed a student ticket it to a ticket as long liable. its go early, so get can. students can get HUjUa g 777-6742. jftiUL I lie Gamecock !>) |j|] || Wedn -siar career "He was very very open, and very very ready to do whatever we asked from a team standpoint, and I think that was a really important thing this year, was that Clint never batted an eyelash when we said Clint we need you to organize the mid-field, we need you to solidify things, we need you to win balls and distribute them and come forward," Berson said. "He fV - never said Hey you know I scored ||||?v < 25 goals as a sophomore, I should pf be up front.' He never once said ||\ anything except 1 want to do whatever it takes for the flXpHfe team to be successful.'" "I didn't mind because at that time, that's what the if ? team needed, and so it Y didn't bother me one ^ bit to go back there," Mathis said. "I actually like it a lot." ByjpBk Mathis is now \ , ^ heading into the Km 1 mpnt This PYnpri ence will be bittersweet however, due to ^ P Mathis' departure from the South 3Hr.. Carolina soccer ^ iprogram. Mathis' career has been much more than scoring goals. He has developed friendships that will last a lifetime. "He's a really special type of player. Ever since I've been here, he's just been a great friend," sophomore Hans Whetstone said. "He's just a nice guy." "As a person, he's definitely my best friend here at school and so I like everything about him," Pait said. Mathis will miss Carolina, but according to Berson, will definitely continue at the next level. Mathis has learned many things in his career at Carolina. The most important being life lessons. "The main thing that I've learned thrniurh mv fnnr vpars is that, thincrq arp era ing to happen and you just have to let them be because they happen for a reason," Mathis said. "I've changed a lot from my freshman year. I used to always worry about things and how things were going to turn out. Now, I've learned just not to worry about it, just let things happen," Mathis said. As Mathis' senior year winds down, his accomplishments stand tall, but his personality, selflessness and attitude will always remain. SINCE 1 JiUUiH - FULL SBI ___ . CARS TRUC1 f Wash 5DEQS9H 1950 GERi (NEAR HA fgc Discount I SI off JW?WMTonwwimfl>y | 0 OFFANY3DAYR 1017 Sunset B I 739-2770 kge 18 Years No Cred ange of Cars, Trucks and Vans But Major ( 'eekly & Monthly Rentals cash Rents cal Pick-Up & Delivery over 400 L itive Low Rates * Iqrkv ruoRs&cilL Hair Salon 3214 Millwood 803-256-6419 Colu I lesday, November 19,1997 Highlights, ] USC-clemso ACHLM HUNT Microphone Boy Being the young age of 20 years old, my dad especially has told me how limited my knowledge of how this Carolina athletics thing works. He says Fm too young to remember some ofthe greatest moments of Carolina sports history, and more importantly some of the worst. He says the loss to Coppin State in basketball or the Softball team's bad luck out in Oklahoma City last May were all signs of the dreaded "Chicken Curse." For those of you out there not acquainted with the "Chicken Curse" IH take just a minute to explain. In the early 1900s when USC was just establishing its athletic program, former South Carolina Governor "Pitchfork" Ben Tillman wanted USC to start teaching agriculture and military skills to its students. When USC wouldn't do it, he took his idea to clemson and as a final act declared a curse on the newly named "Fighting Gamecocks" of USC. He cursed our school to a life of mediocrity in athletics, and also to always be second best to clemson. And clemson does hold a 21-game lead in the all-time series heading into Saturday's game with the Tigers. But, even though the Gamecocks are 21 games behind the Tigers, and have suffered through the dreads of the "Chicken Curse," there have been several good moments and bad moments in the rivalry. And since my dad says my knowledge of the rivalry is limited, which it is to an extent, the only moments I'll recall are ones I experienced in Derson. To get them out the way, a few of the bad moments: 1. The worst game I ever saw in the rivalry was the 1989 clemson game in Columbia when senior quarterback Todd Ellis was out of the game with a broken leg. The Gamecocks could muster absolutely nothing in the game offensively behind the quarterbacking of defensive back-. turned-QB Dickie Demaisi. And on top of the poor offensive showing, the Gamecock defense was run all over by future NFL star Terry Allen. The Tigers won that game on national TV in Sparky Woods' clemson rivalry debut 45-0. 2. The second moment happened my freshman year in Columbia also, when after three quarters the Gamecocks and the Tigers were tied at 17. But, Emory Smith and Raymond Preister ran wild for the Tieers in the fourth Quarter, and the Tigers won going away 38-17. 3. The other final bad moment I've had to sit through is the 1986 game, when head coaches Joe Morrison and Danny Ford led their teams _| into one of the hardest fought football games I've nn'cE- ||E3| IS* VANS A |T3i;i/ cu Offend pp. R rAIS ST. u g|itten ENTAL m just-" A ?9 i m u d . Moi ^rean uaras Mccepiea als Welcome lUTPDklATU ocations Worldwide III I CHriMI IV HOUSE < PANCAK With coupon. Not gc Regional Ci mbia, SC 20205 ^ Ioq^hq for cust join our state-of-the art PART-TII I J The successful Candida m experience (preferably i I 1 communication skills a 1 1 Customer service team V H service and delivery am ensuring quality service requires a four to five hi I I J H a week. Weekends and I I I I Applications for this pi I I I I H successful completion I I H requirement 30 wpm. |^l I H Call our human resourc schedule an appointme UTT1 Hum ffllffill.ffl 1"8( An E< Pre-Employr*.ent Drug S( 11 Lowlights of n rivalry ever seen. The teams were so similar they played to a 21-21 tie. Now, I don't have a sister, but the feeling I had after that game would be the same feeling I would have if I ever kissed her. But, now some good moments I remember in the Carolina/clemson rivalry. 1. My most fond memory would have to be a tie between the 1987 game and the 1994 edition. The 1987 game was a night game at WilliamsBrice and was nationally televised. Carolina was " headed foY the Gator Bowl, clemson for the Citrus. The game was close for the first half, but the ' Gamecocks, behind the passing combination of Todd Ellis and Sterling Sharpe, took control of the game in the third quarter. Then in the fourth, defensive back Brad Edwards took an interception back for a touchdown to seal the 20-7 win. When Edwards was running that ball back to the end zone, Williams-Brice was as loud as I've ever heard it. Then, as the game ended, the students stormed the field and tore down the goal posts. That's the only game I can remember Carolina fans ever tearing down the goal posts. The 1994 game was Head Coach Brad Scott's first at the helm of the Gamecocks and featured the second-half kickoff return when Brandon Bennett caught the ball and started to run up the field before he stopped and threw the ball all the way across the field to Reggie Richardson, who raced all the way to the clemson six-yard line. The Gamecocks were never again challenged in the era me nnH thpv won erm'ner awav 33-7 2. Last year's game in clemson was great as well. After clemson took a four-point lead late in the fourth quarter, the Gamecocks took charge and scored two quick touchdowns by Troy Hambrick. The Gamecocks led 34-17, and the fans were already starting to use their bragging rights for the next year. But, Nealon Greene marched the Tigers down the field not once, not twice, but three times in the last five minutes of the game to bring the Tigers to within three points at 3431. But, clemson kicker Matt Padgett's field goal attempt sailed wide left as time expired, and the Gamecocks hung on for a 34-31 victory in clemson on ESPN2. This year's game will have the same starting time of 6 p.m. and the same national television coverage by ESPN2 as last year's game against the Tigers. If this year's game is as similar on the field, then Carolina fans will be in for a great treat this weekend, and Fll have one more game to add to my article next year. ve of Our Award-Winning f ift Pancakes n.-Fri. Anytime | (excluding holidays) 777771 Good on,yaV- Hi 3nal 4467 Devine St. df at Beltline & Ft. Jackson Hi XC? 1031 Assembly St. across from State Capitol SsJ OPEN 24 HOURS rod with any other otters or specials. Expires 12-12-97 istomer Service Center omer-focused, forward-thinking individuals to call center located at The State Newspaper. ME CUSTOMER SERVICE EAM MEMBER(2) te will have one year of customer service in a high call volume center), excellent nd the ability to work in a team environment, members assist callers with their newspaper j must maintain production requirements while s. PC experience a must. The work schedule our morning or afternoon shift, four to five days holiday work required. Qsition will be accepted by appointment after of typing, spelling and math appraisals. Typing :es division by Wednesday, December 3 to nt for these appraisals he State Newspaper tan Resources Division (803) 771-8350 10-888-5353, ext. 8350 qual Opportunity Employer :reens and Criminal Background Check Required