When South Carolina has its first home game of the 2012 season against East Carolina, things are going to look quite different. From the new scoreboard to the totally renovated “Farmers Market” - with the beautiful Carolina Walk and brand new trees - Gamecock Faithful will have their breath taken away by the vision of Eric Hyman and the USC Athletic Department.
There are many people to thank for these upgrades, but at the end of the day they are only a small part of the “Master Plan” for athletics facilities. Here is a look at some of the other plans, the differences they will make, and how they compare to other SEC universities.
The Dodie
This building was one of Hyman’s top priorities serving as the centerpiece of a $200 million dollar athletics facilities renovation plan. Made possible by a large grant from Deloris
“Dodie” Anderson, three years later this magnificent building is still the top of it’s class in the SEC.
Make no mistake; this was built as much for the parents of prospective student athletes as it was for the students themselves. Knowing that your child – in what is probably their first real time away from the comforts of home - will have the best academic enrichment center, with the all of the available help they will need at their disposal - not to mention the top-notch cafeteria - can be extraordinarily comforting. This building was a top priority because, as Hyman notes, the athletes at USC are first and foremost students. This was and is a huge recruiting tool for all sports and has served as a primary reason for many commitments over the past few years.
Compare it to: Alabama’s Center for Athletic Student Services “Bryant Hall”
New Coaches Support Building
It’s not just about recruiting the top student athletes across the nation to come play for South Carolina - it’s also about hiring the best coaches and administration to lead those athletes to victory. It’s about giving the most knowledgeable people the best possible tools so they can succeed. That is why the new Coaches Support Building will be invaluable.
“You’re only as strong as your weakest link”
For some time now the weakest link in the South Carolina athletics department has been the completely out of date Roundhouse building. This is a much-needed upgrade that will ensure South Carolina has what it needs to run the best athletics department in the country.
Compare it to: Old Roundhouse Building
New Tennis Complex and Softball Stadium
Located in the new ‘Athletics Village’ at the Roost, these new facilities show that the University of South Carolina Athletics Department is committed to overall improvement, not just in select areas.
Compare it to: Tennessee’s Tennis Facilities and Ole Miss’s Softball Stadium
These upgrades might be slightly less visible to the general fan base, but they are just as important as the new scoreboard and tailgating areas around Williams-Brice. What South Carolina’s Athletic Department is doing is building a solid foundation that will ensure the future is filled with continual growth and development. Once the full “Master Plan” is complete, South Carolina will stand tall with the best Universities in the nation with its facilities; both athletically and academically.
The future is bright.
link: http://southcarolina...is-bright-75705
There are many people to thank for these upgrades, but at the end of the day they are only a small part of the “Master Plan” for athletics facilities. Here is a look at some of the other plans, the differences they will make, and how they compare to other SEC universities.
The Dodie
This building was one of Hyman’s top priorities serving as the centerpiece of a $200 million dollar athletics facilities renovation plan. Made possible by a large grant from Deloris
“Dodie” Anderson, three years later this magnificent building is still the top of it’s class in the SEC.
Make no mistake; this was built as much for the parents of prospective student athletes as it was for the students themselves. Knowing that your child – in what is probably their first real time away from the comforts of home - will have the best academic enrichment center, with the all of the available help they will need at their disposal - not to mention the top-notch cafeteria - can be extraordinarily comforting. This building was a top priority because, as Hyman notes, the athletes at USC are first and foremost students. This was and is a huge recruiting tool for all sports and has served as a primary reason for many commitments over the past few years.
Compare it to: Alabama’s Center for Athletic Student Services “Bryant Hall”
New Coaches Support Building
It’s not just about recruiting the top student athletes across the nation to come play for South Carolina - it’s also about hiring the best coaches and administration to lead those athletes to victory. It’s about giving the most knowledgeable people the best possible tools so they can succeed. That is why the new Coaches Support Building will be invaluable.
“You’re only as strong as your weakest link”
For some time now the weakest link in the South Carolina athletics department has been the completely out of date Roundhouse building. This is a much-needed upgrade that will ensure South Carolina has what it needs to run the best athletics department in the country.
Compare it to: Old Roundhouse Building
New Tennis Complex and Softball Stadium
Located in the new ‘Athletics Village’ at the Roost, these new facilities show that the University of South Carolina Athletics Department is committed to overall improvement, not just in select areas.
Compare it to: Tennessee’s Tennis Facilities and Ole Miss’s Softball Stadium
These upgrades might be slightly less visible to the general fan base, but they are just as important as the new scoreboard and tailgating areas around Williams-Brice. What South Carolina’s Athletic Department is doing is building a solid foundation that will ensure the future is filled with continual growth and development. Once the full “Master Plan” is complete, South Carolina will stand tall with the best Universities in the nation with its facilities; both athletically and academically.
The future is bright.
link: http://southcarolina...is-bright-75705
Last edited by a moderator: