The experience is worth the price - wins are a bonus!Disagree. You’re paying for the experience - wins and losses are just outcomes.
Lots of truth to this. So many great memories with family and friendsDisagree. You’re paying for the experience - wins and losses are just outcomes.
Go to one game per year now. The only drawback is the traffic leaving. But that is true to just about any big event. Went to hear Paul McCartney in Winston-Salem a couple of years ago. Went to see the play Hamilton in Columbia last month. Traffic was crazy. Hell, I live in a city of about 32,000. The traffic here can be unbearable at times. It will be that way long after I have taken the exit ramp in this road trip called "life".Agree. Unless you've just got that kind of money to burn. You could get single game tickets and go to a few games for the experience.
If the results are mediocre to poor all the time, that experience gets old after awhile. You want to see that there is progress and that you are not just going to a game to eat and talk to people.Disagree. You’re paying for the experience - wins and losses are just outcomes.
Sounds a lot like my childhood. I grew up listening to Georgia games on the radio since my dad was a UGA grad and we didn't have a TV. (I didn't become a Gamecock until going to college.) But anyway, lots of great memories with my family and college football. When ESPN360 became a thing, my siblings and I would watch games on the computer. Typically my dad would have the radio on in another part of the house and run in when something good happened, so we always knew a few seconds before the TV broadcast played that a good play was coming. We would listen to games in the yard while picking up pecans, working in the garden, shooting hoops, etc. Good times!I don't agree or disagree - it's about spending your disposable income on a recreational activity, so spend your money however you wish. But just be honest with yourself about your return on your happiness investment. Don't go just because it's what you've always done or because you feel obligated to "support your school" or team. Saturdays are precious, especially when you have kids. Kids' soccer games, camping trips, hunting and fishing experiences, church youth group activities, and tons of other worthwhile endeavors compete for those days. Spend your time and money on things you truly find valuable.
I have been a Gamecock fan for as long as I can remember, but I didn't grow up going to the games. I didn't know it at the time, but my parents didn't make a lot of money during my elementary school years, so they spent most of their weekends working their butts off remodeling our house or doing some kind of side gig to make a few extra bucks. It never occurred to me that we could go to a Carolina game any more than it would have occurred to me that we could go to Paris. I'd accompany them on their working Saturdays with my radio and thanks to Bob Fulton and Tommy Suggs, I never had to miss a game. By the time I was middle school age, their economic status started to improve and they began to have business acquaintances, some of whom had season tickets to either Carolina or Clemson games. As a result, my dad and I would occasionally catch a Carolina or Clemson game in person. I thought those were the best events ever and I'll never forget those experiences. But I'll also never forget the afternoon we caught about 40 bream and 9 or 10 bass in a farm pond with the game playing on a radio in the background, or the time my cub scout den went tent-camping at Paris Mountain State park, or the time we rode on a church bus up to Knoxville for the World's Fair, or a host of other great experiences that happened while South Carolina played a home game.
I've been in Gamecock gear since I was in diapers. I went to every home game from 1992 - 2005 and some away games in that window. Joined the original GamecockCentral in 2000. But after our 2008 loss at Clemson, I took all of my Gamecock gear - clothing, posters, etc - and put it on the driveway of the 2BR bungalow rental I shared with a classmate while in grad school at Texas - and I set it on fire and watched it burn.If the results are mediocre to poor all the time, that experience gets old after awhile. You want to see that there is progress and that you are not just going to a game to eat and talk to people.
What are the downsides of being a diehard fan?I've been in Gamecock gear since I was in diapers. I went to every home game from 1992 - 2005 and some away games in that window. Joined the original GamecockCentral in 2000. But after our 2008 loss at Clemson, I took all of my Gamecock gear - clothing, posters, etc - and put it on the driveway of the 2BR bungalow rental I shared with a classmate while in grad school at Texas - and I set it on fire and watched it burn.
I'm glad I live 1200 miles away and don't feel compelled to regularly go to games or buy season tickets. But I'm still a rabid fan living and dying with every play on TV and Gamecast. But I'm also glad that my children aren't being raised as rabid fans. In all objectiveness, I think my parents raising me as a die hard has more downside than upside. So it's a function of both distance and reflections on my own life.
Fair question and I think your musing partially answered it. Burning possessions in a driveway over a loss, as I have done, is not healthy, well adjusted behavior.What are the downsides of being a diehard fan?
Now I do have to say that I've never been so diehard that a loss would ruin my week or anything like that.
Man you have problems!Fair question and I think your musing partially answered it. Burning possessions in a driveway over a loss, as I have done, is not healthy, well adjusted behavior.
- In 2007, I reflexively vomited when we lost a Super Regional to Chapel Hill because I hate the Tar Heels so much.
- It took me 3 full years of going to grad school at Texas to buy and wear a burnt orange tee shirt because I had such a visceral hatred of the color. My parents literally removed orange crayons and markers from Crayola boxes when I was a kid and threw them away
- I have sworn off fandom forever probably 50 times, and every time fallen off the wagon in days. When we lost to Clemson 5-4 on back to back days in baseball earlier this spring, I angrily swore off the Gamecocks forever. Again. That lasted maybe 18 hours and I ordered 2 new Gamecock shirts
These are not pictures of healthy human behavior. I'm a massive golf fan, but I'm not invested in any particular player. I have favorite players, but if they win or miss the cut it doesn't affect me either way. I just love to watch world class golf.
I wish I had that type of relationship with watching the Gamecocks
Now I do have to say that I've never been so diehard that a loss would ruin my week or anything like that.
Take your kids to the games for the game day experience and the spectacle. To a kid, any college game will be a huge event. I wouldn't fan the flames of rabid gamecock fandom tough. There is no sense in cursing a child with a lifetime of disappointment because of your fandom. Let the kid decide on his own what, if any, team he wants to pull for.I received a book today as a birthday present. It's titled "A Gamecock Odyssey......University Of South Carolina Sports In The Independent Era".
I mention it because the author dedicated it "To Dad, who took me to the games". Is it worth going to any of the Carolina football games? Yes in the past 50 years, except for a couple of years each under Carlen, Morrison, Holtz and a 4-year stretch under Spurrier, Carolina football has been mediocre. Yes we currently have a Head Football Coach who is in his first "rodeo" in that position and may, frankly, be over his head in that position. So, the future of Carolina football is cloudy. But if you have a son or daughter or a grandson or granddaughter, take them to at least one game. They will remember that experience forever. And more importantly, they will remember you long after you have passed on. There's not much I can guarantee. But that is one thing I can guarantee.
There have been kids of many Gamecock fans who got their college education at a school other than USC. And that's the way it should be as some schools have academic departments more suited for the aspiring career.Take your kids to the games for the game day experience and the spectacle. To a kid, any college game will be a huge event. I wouldn't fan the flames of rabid gamecock fandom tough. There is no sense in cursing a child with a lifetime of disappointment because of your fandom. Let the kid decide on his own what, if any, team he wants to pull for.
We were not sold a bill of goods. If Beamer were HC at a school with deep NIL pockets, he would be Top 10 in recruiting every year. He's not missing that much at a school with lesser NIL pockets. All other coaches we have had were pre-NIL or mostly pre-NIL and there is a big difference.I think if you have a young family, go. It will be an experience they will long remember, win or lose. If you stop going after they have flown the nest, the kids will treat you to a game in your old age in order to relive the memories. Now if you are making a bet on Beamer, well, that's another story. BTCock is right about Beamer's recruiting. Gamecock fans were sold a bill of goods regarding his recruiting prowess.
This is entirely speculation.We were not sold a bill of goods. If Beamer were HC at a school with deep NIL pockets, he would be Top 10 in recruiting every year. He's not missing that much at a school with lesser NIL pockets. All other coaches we have had were pre-NIL or mostly pre-NIL and there is a big difference.
Beamer and staff are amazingly impactful with kids in our region and our target areas of recruiting. He builds relationships years ahead of the recruiting date and gets his share of 4 and sometimes 5 star players. Bringing in Nyck Harbor against the top fund raiser in the country, Oregon and their NIKE CEO was one incredible feat.
I think if the salary cap is put into place as per the NFL model or similar, it will make things a little more competitive. The latest I have read is that it might be in place 2025 or 2026. Without something like this, the schools who have deep pocket corporate donors will have a big advantage. Right now according to 247 Sports, we are 18th in the country with athletic donations at 466 million. #1 is Oregon at $969 million. Texas A&M is #2 at $849 Million. Beamer is doing a heck of a good job with the hand he was dealt.
If there is no cap put on the NIL, then what? I am sure that the richer schools will oppose and fight like crazy any attempt to put on a cap. I can't blame them for that . But, if there is no cap, then "coaching chops" and skills will be necessary to be more competitive on the field. Right now, Beamer made hay (more than doubling his salary) on two games: the 2022 games against Tennessee and Clemson. But he has had far closer than should have been games since he has been here against inferior opponents (East Carolina, Vanderbilt and Troy in 2021, Jax State last year and upset by underdog Florida last year). Does all that mean Beamer is a bad coach? NO. It does mean though that the jury is still out on Beamer being Head "Coach" material in the SEC. If there is no change in the NIL, Beamer will have to have the coaching skills of his players and assistants to compensate. Right now Beamer's recruiting class is 12th in the 16 team SEC conference. That won't cut it. And even if Beamer turns out to be super duper recruiter, Carolina football has had Head Coaches who were reputed to be great recruiters...Woods, Scott and Muschamp. All were unmitigated failures because they lacked "coaching skills".We were not sold a bill of goods. If Beamer were HC at a school with deep NIL pockets, he would be Top 10 in recruiting every year. He's not missing that much at a school with lesser NIL pockets. All other coaches we have had were pre-NIL or mostly pre-NIL and there is a big difference.
Beamer and staff are amazingly impactful with kids in our region and our target areas of recruiting. He builds relationships years ahead of the recruiting date and gets his share of 4 and sometimes 5 star players. Bringing in Nyck Harbor against the top fund raiser in the country, Oregon and their NIKE CEO was one incredible feat.
I think if the salary cap is put into place as per the NFL model or similar, it will make things a little more competitive. The latest I have read is that it might be in place 2025 or 2026. Without something like this, the schools who have deep pocket corporate donors will have a big advantage. Right now according to 247 Sports, we are 18th in the country with athletic donations at 466 million. #1 is Oregon at $969 million. Texas A&M is #2 at $849 Million. Beamer is doing a heck of a good job with the hand he was dealt. https://247sports.com/longformartic...enerous-athletics-boosters-214986422/#2225316
Of course it's opinion. Most everything on this board is opinion. But Beamer has been consistently in the top 20 in recruiting (after the first year) despite being a first time head coach at a school that has never done much in football and with an NIL budget that is 10th in the league (as per the link I supplied).This is entirely speculation.
I agree that I hope there are rules put into place with NIL. The current state of affairs is unsustainable.Of course it's opinion. Most everything on this board is opinion. But Beamer has been consistently in the top 20 in recruiting (after the first year) despite being a first time head coach at a school that has never done much in football and with an NIL budget that is 10th in the league (as per the link I supplied).
My hope is that solid rules will be put into place that at least will put in a player salary cap that is negotiated with a players union type board. I think most teams including the deep pocket schools will be in favor of some type of regimented set of rules that everyone will play by. BTW, here is an article on where things stand with the new salary cap alignment. https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-ne...chools-300m-each-over-10-years-003140102.html
Yes, but Beamer is also fighting the NIL deficiency. Muschamp for the most part, did not have to deal with NIL. It's a real problem for most schools who go up against the schools who have the deep pocket corporate sponsors. Did you take a look at this link that I posted on my first message? Now its legal to pay players.I agree that I hope there are rules put into place with NIL. The current state of affairs is unsustainable.
But to Beamer's recruiting, it's been pretty much the same as Muschamp's recruiting. I had thought Beamer had upgraded recruiting over the previous regime, but after going back through the rankings there's been no upgrade.