My USCe Experience

[ART]

BTW - This is my first OP.

This was our first and, according to my husband, last trip to Columbia. I'm a little more open than he is.

1. TRAFFIC getting IN was a nightmare!! The streets closest to the stadium were not shut down at all. There were traffic patrols at all the intersections. With the number of pedestrians it was near impossible to get through. We got there about 2 hrs before kickoff.
2. PARKING - get there EARLY if you ever go. We like to have never found a spot. Some people parked 2 miles away. We were SO lucky to find a closer spot about half a mile away. Maybe it was because we got there so close to game time. Idk.
3. BAMA FANS - It seemed like we were well represented outside the stadium**. Everyone I saw was being very respectful. No one acting up or running up to SC fans screaming we're gonna beat you or your team sucks. **I know this was an away game, but our fans were outnumbered worse than any away game we've ever been to. It was very sad to me. Poor Dre kept waving his arms trying to get the crowd fired up and there was no crowd.
4. THE GAME - You know how that went, but what you may not have been able to see that worries me is our D looked confused several times. Not sure what's going on with play calling. I'll leave that to the experts. My husband & son left after their last score. I stayed hoping beyond all hope for a miracle. I've seen these things happen!!!!
5. SC FANS - This is the main reason for my post.....going in were ok except the usual loud mouths screaming Bama sux. The crowd was LOUD the entire game!!! We sat near some ok fans and one loud mouth who kept saying "It's all good till you get busted in the mouth" & no tide. After the game they were excited as anyone would be & held nothing back. I realize this is the biggest win in school history so not sure "act like you've been there" would work on them. :frown: My husband & son were rushed, cursed and called names by several groups on the way out. I promise you my husband is non-confrontational, but I'm surprised someone wasn't hurt. Most of the SC fans I encountered going out were more than a little intoxicated. I told them GOOD GAME, CONGRATS and we hope to see you in ATL!!!! ROLL TIDE!!!!

Oh and I forgot that SECURITY was announcing for the last 5 minutes NOT TO STORM THE FIELD!!

Now, let's put this nightmare out of our minds and FOCUS ON OLE SIS!!! Is everyone ready for HOMECOMING??!!! I'll see you there!!!

 

[Alakablamo]

There were some 18yo freshmen students behind me running their mouths for most of the game, but I didn't see anything too bad. One guys who cussed a bit, but I think his buddies told him to tone it down.

The student section was chanting "You can't stop us!" pretty loud at the end of the game... but they weren't talking about football. They were chanting at the security guarding the field on that side of the stadium. They dropped the goalpost before the game was even over.

Parking Lesson:

I learned that you need to approach William's Brice Stadium from the side that you plan to park on (yeah... I got stuck in traffic, too). If you are going to park at their baseball stadium (not a horrible choice if the fairground is closed off... which it was), then go in on I-26 to I-126, then Assembly. DO NOT USE ROSEWOOD! If you are parking on the east side, then circle around and come in on I-77.

 

[Mamacalled]

My experience was far different. All carolina fans that sat near me and that tailgated near me were all class. I stayed about two hours after the game tailgating with carolina fans. Even had a cute little 21 year old girl come over to our tailgate and asked me for my number. Had to decline but it was flattering for this 45 y.o. man.
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[Luvubama]

I'm so glad someone started this post because I was about to. I agree that the traffic in and out of that stadium was horrible and not well managed. But that happens so I can live with that. A lot of their fans, however, were mouthy, vulgar, and disrespectful. My daughter and I met at the stadium and I had to walk back to my tailgate alone. I was actually worried. The fans blocked my way, yelled and taunted me. I just kept my head down until I could get back. I kept telling myself that we're gracious in victory and we'll be gracious in defeat!

 

[ART]

What you experienced LUVUBAMA is what my husband and son did. This was a hot topic last week on this board. It's such a shame people act that way. Like this just made their WHOLE LIFE!!!!

 

[USCBAMA]

I did not see what you describe, but as a USC grad am embarrassed that it happened and can only offer apologies. Parking and traffic was worse than normal because a large chunk of the public parking was taken up by the State Fair, which is not open yet but they are setting up the rides and exhibits. So several thousand parks by the stadium were not available. It's a sore spot between USC and the State Fair, but the State Fair won't sell and won't relocate and won't change their dates each year. they did actually move the fair dates back a week this year for the Bama game, but the setup still took up spaces.

As for the students storming the field, that did not happen. Not sure what you thought you saw, but I sat right next to the USC student section and about 200 policeman formed a line between the students and the field and I didn't even see one student try to cross. Was very civil. In fact, after the mid-field prayer, the USC players ran over to the student section and celebrated and shook hands over the fence separating them. If you're gonna voice a complaint, it carries more weight and comes off less as sour grapes if presented accurately.

 

[bamajammer]

This was my first trip to this stadium, and it will be my last! I've traveled to a lot of stadiums--both College and NFL. Yes, the parking was terrible, but I parked about a mile away without a problem. Yes, the traffic was terrible, but
I weaved through streets just like I do in T-town and we were in/out in no time. The tailgating was okay but not that impressive. It was like the KY game last year. They were in parking lots and dotted here and there but nothing like T-town or Ole Miss. Their stadium is not on campus, so there's not any walking around school grounds. I think that takes away from the atmosphere of things.

Their band didn't play until the middle of the 4th quarter. They don't seem to have a fight song or any cheers other than each side of the stadium saying Game Cocks like we do ALA BAMA. They played awful music that is unless you like hip hop. I don't know the name of the one tune they played over and over and over, but I never want to hear it again!

The REAL problem were their fans. Luckily I was in the upper deck with a lot of Bama fans, and the Carolina fans up there were okay. After they won, I stood there shocked as their student section came down the fence to storm the field. I've just never seen anything like it. While most of the fans were nice going into the game, I was hard pressed to see any sober, sane, or classy fans on the way out. I was talking to another Bama who said he and his family had a tough time during the game. He actually had to call the police up and eventually moved his family to other seats. We were taunted, cursed, and accosted on the way to our cars. They were screaming FU Bama repeatedly among other charming things. Once we arrived at my car, I found my magnets shredded on the ground. I have never had this happen...not once.

When we got in the car and left, we were run off the road by a female student. She was laughing to her girfriends as she did it. I called the police, and got out of the car to get her tag number. She then put her car in reverse and tried to hit me. Unbelieveable!!! The police, of course, did nothing about it. We decided we'd had enough, skipped dinner, and headed back to my friend's house in Charlotte.

Long story short, they had every right to be excited about their big win, but they had no right to treat us so rudely. I now understand the postings prior to this game about one and done visits to Columbia. I, too, am one and done.

 

[TidenLA]

Well, I certainly hope if we meet again in the SECCG and we win, I hope we act like classy fans. Revenge is served hot with relish on the side!!

 

[ART]

No sour grapes USCBAMA, we were whipped and I can live with that. We SURELY wish you guys had played that well in your last game too. My whole life doesn't revolve around this game/loss (only the AU game has that effect on me & most Bama fans). I've never had any issues with SC or their fans and don't plan to in the future. My husband is the one who had the worst experience. I just wanted to share our thoughts and get feedback. Thanks for sharing the info about the fair. We couldn't figure out if the fair had shut down for the day, was about to leave town or just got there. That would have been a HUGE plus with parking. Also, if you could get the word out if anyone HAS parking available it helps to have signs or someone standing there with a sign......never saw one. We just followed other cars got lucky.

 

[CrimsonPride]

I did not see what you describe, but as a USC grad am embarrassed that it happened and can only offer apologies. Parking and traffic was worse than normal because a large chunk of the public parking was taken up by the State Fair, which is not open yet but they are setting up the rides and exhibits. So several thousand parks by the stadium were not available. It's a sore spot between USC and the State Fair, but the State Fair won't sell and won't relocate and won't change their dates each year. they did actually move the fair dates back a week this year for the Bama game, but the setup still took up spaces.

As for the students storming the field, that did not happen. Not sure what you thought you saw, but I sat right next to the USC student section and about 200 policeman formed a line between the students and the field and I didn't even see one student try to cross. Was very civil. In fact, after the mid-field prayer, the USC players ran over to the student section and celebrated and shook hands over the fence separating them. If you're gonna voice a complaint, it carries more weight and comes off less as sour grapes if presented accurately.

From reading the 2nd post, I did not get that the fans actually stormed the field. I got that the stadium officials collasped the goal posts to prevent anyone from storming the field to tear them down and getting injured (but I could be wrong). However, I have heard from several other fans that were there, that the PA announcer did issue the warning several times for the fans not to rush the field. I think Vern or Gary may have even mentioned it during the broadcast.

 

[USCBAMA]

From reading the 2nd post, I did not get that the fans actually stormed the field. I got that the stadium officials collasped the goal posts to prevent anyone from storming the field to tear them down and getting injured (but I could be wrong). However, I have heard from several other fans that were there, that the PA announcer did issue the warning several times for the fans not to rush the field. I think Vern or Gary may have even mentioned it during the broadcast.

You are correct they did issue the warning with about 4 minutes to play. The goal post are retractable and are lowered after every game regardless of outcome.

I don't doubt Bama fans had some bad experiences and I can only apologize and say it's not typical in Columbia and hope you will give the City a second chance the next time Bama plays here.

The loud music is very popular and energizes the crowd. It's not played during plays or even between plays, but normally after scores, during timeouts, and between quarters. The most popular song played is Sandstorm, which is done somewhat similar to Zombie Nation at Bama and other schools right before kickoffs and other exciting times during games. There are a few pop songs played, no AC/DC Hells Bells like at Bama or loud blaring Eye of the Tiger like auburn. I think most SEC schools are incorporating loud, energetic music into their crowd cheers. I know both Bama and USC have done this.

From what I've read elsewhere the main problem with fans was after the game. If you did receive poor treatment and are truly upset, I actually encourage you to write the athletic department. The last thing we want to do is develop a reputation like UGA and LSU where the fans are just downright mean. We want opposing fans to make the trip here.

Oh yeah, the band actually played a decent amount, the problem is USC has a fairly small band (relative to other SEC bands) and to be honest it isn't very good (again, relative to other SEC bands), so you probably just didn't hear it.

 

[BamaSC]

Most of the time I go to Williams-Brice, I'm usually in a neutral color and pull for SC. I was kind of surprised at how well we were treated yesterday considering I was in enemy colors. Most of the other times I've been there, I've been around drunken, rude, and vulger fans with a penchant for dropping F-bombs and other obscenitites (usually very loudly and with small kids within earshot). In short, Williams-Brice is no place for small children or those easily offended by drunken, boorish behavior. Unfortunately, they're not the only ones with this problem (I've seen some of it at B-D also).

However, there was none of that yesterday where I was sitting. Most of the fans were too happy celebrating to notice us skulking off to our car. I congratulated several of their fans on the walk to the car and everyone I talked with was nice and respectful.

As for getting in and out of the stadium and finding a tailgating/parking spot, I guess experience pays off. It can get jammed up, but is still a lot better than my last several trips to Bryant-Denny.

 

[USCBAMA]

As for getting in and out of the stadium and finding a tailgating/parking spot, I guess experience pays off. It can get jammed up, but is still a lot better than my last several trips to Bryant-Denny.

I wasn't going to bring that up, but now that you did... for away fans parking and getting in and out of BDS is very difficult... and try Knoxville or Athens. It can take hours just to get out of Neyland area after a game. It's a problem everywhere.

That said, for whatever reason the traffic control at WB in Columbia has been unusually bad this season. They are too worried about letting traffic flow both ways when it should be one way after games.

 

[Heather]

Sounds like many people had different experiences depending on where they sat/tail gated/parked.

Which would make 100% sense with that many people in one spot.

 

[BamaNation]

I wasn't at the game but did see a guy in an SC shirt yesterday at the pumpkin patch while picking out some pumpkins to carve with my daughter...

Anyway, I walked over and said something like hope we have a good game tonight and the guy booed me and walked off! I just laughed but he must have been channeling from fans at the game. Never had that happen before.

 

[BigOaf]

We were treated pretty well overall, no real complaints - going down the ramp there were a few teens that were bidding us farewell rather enthusiastically, but harmlessly, and outside the stadium walking down US48 there were a few unintelligible toothless drunks hollering.

Most of the fans around us and even on the way out were relatively gracious and wished us well and said, "See you in Atlanta". They were loud and raucous, but who could blame them?

Traffic was horrible getting in though, and after dealing with that plus witnessing two losses in a row at Williams-Brice I'll refrain from visiting again.

 

[ART]

We actually got OUT of the area easily since most SC fans were still inside having fun. Honestly, it really looked like there were fans outside the stadium who didn't go to the game and just got trashed out there. There is one more thing I'd forgot, is there no open container law in Columbia? I've never seen so many ppl openly drinking beer outside a college game. Not that I care either way, just curious.

 

[Heather]

I wasn't at the game but did see a guy in an SC shirt yesterday at the pumpkin patch while picking out some pumpkins to carve with my daughter...

Anyway, I walked over and said something like hope we have a good game tonight and the guy booed me and walked off! I just laughed but he must have been channeling from fans at the game. Never had that happen before.

Wow! What a classless winner.

 

[USCBAMA]

We actually got OUT of the area easily since all the SC fans were still inside having fun. Honestly, it really looked like there were fans outside the stadium who didn't go to the game and just got trashed out there. There is one more thing I'd forgot, is there no open container law in Columbia? I've never seen so many ppl openly drinking beer outside a college game. Not that I care either way, just curious.

The public open container laws are loosely enforced around the stadium on game days, with police only caring if you are totally smashed or are in a car drinking.

USC is stuck with an off-campus stadium in a warehouse district. It is what it is, not much better than the Legion Field location in B'ham. USC is slowly buying up adjacent properties to try and improve the setting, but the economy has slowed these efforts. Still, by the next time Bama visits Columbia the surroundings should be much improved. Some of the drunks outside the stadium could have been some of the local residents of the area (again, think Legion Field).

 

[GamecockinBama]

It does seem that people had different experiences based on where they sat. I will say I usually frequent Gamecock boards, and the Bama fans that have posted on those boards about their experiences have also been about half and half. It does seem that some- probably more than usual- Gamecock fans lost it after this win and rather than just celebrating the victory, they decided to take out some long pent up aggression.

Here's a video of a tussle after the game where it appears an Alabama person is fighting with a fan on the field after the game. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWBlOTEAvrU&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - Alabama upset causes fight!!!![/ame]


Unfortunately, this behavior actually resulted in a Gamecock fan being killed outside the stadium right after the game. The news report doesn't say it, but some of the Gamecock boards had comments from people who witnessed the incident and apparently a fight between an Alabama and Gamecock fan led to this kid falling beneath the wheels of the truck he was riding in and the driver didn't realize it and ran him over. I'm not really sure if the witnesses are 100% sure the guy arrested was a Bama fan though. Man killed near Williams-Brice Stadium identified - WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina |

In any event, the stupidity of some fans turned one of the best days in Gamecock football into a sad display of sportsmanship and I apologize for those who were treated poorly. I've never been treated poorly in Tuscaloosa and it appears us Carolina fans have a lot to learn about how to react after a big win.