Gamecock Gala 4
USC Bicentennial

 

We were proud to be a part of the University of South Carolina's Bicentennial Celebration in 2001 and helped stage a look back at the school's sports history. The Letterman's Lounge in Williams Brice Stadium was transformed into a museum-for-a-day with memorabilia stretching back as early as 1920.

 

Original paintings of USC's 100th Anniversary All Time Teams as well as the Heisman Trophy were exhibited.  

 

 

 

 

 

The 1980 Heisman Trophy was featured with a mural of George Rogers in the background allowing fans to pose and take pictures with college football's most famous award!

 
 
 

 

 

There were large crowds of Gamecock fans in attendence to view the museum display! 

 

 

 

The Bi-Centennial sports
display featured stuff....

...stuff...

...and more STUFF!!! 

 
 

There were lots of game used equipment and trophies on display related to former Gamecock standout's college AND professional careers!

 

Several generations of Gamecock football were represented alongside this tribute to USC Hall of Famer STEVE "THE CADILLAC" WADIAK. The display included a game worn retired number uniform as well as Steve's cleats!

 

The above display featured memorabilia from the 43 year career of Gamecock legend BOB FULTON.

 

 

The event was a great opportunity for fans to view some of the more recent trophies won by USC's baseball, basketball, track, softball and soccer teams to name a few.

 

This display featured only a small but impressive assortment of trophies and equipment from JOYCE COMPTON and the Lady Gamecocks softball team successes.  The uniforms shown in this display were worn by (l-r) TIFFANY JOHNSON and TIFF TOOTLE.

 

 

Tiffany is a member of the USC Hall of Fame and Tiff will be inducted in August 2006. To find out more about this year's Gamecock Hall of Fame inductees or to get tickets please click on Tiff's image. This year's Hall of Fame class includes ...

 

 

 

This display was a tribute to USC soccer programs and featured some of MARK BERSON's trophies including the trophy from the Gamecock's appearance in the National Championship game!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This display featured an assortment of artifacts that relected players from the 1970s. The jersey at the top was worn by CLARENCE WILLIAMS in route to 1000 yards in 1975. The uniforms at the lower right and left are Milwaukee Bucs uniforms belonging to BRIAN WINTERS and MIKE DUNLEAVEY. Brian's number 32 uniform was retired after his playing days with the Bucs. Mike's career went from a player to being a Head Coach and General Manager in the NBA.

 

 

 

The center of the display featured several items from the career of JEFF GRANTZ, USC's Quarterback of the Century. Included were Jeff's team MVP award, a crystal trophy for being named to USC's All Time Team and his helmet! The photo of Jeff from his baseball days is shown along with a game ball from the Gamecock's victory over N.C.State in the NCAA Baseball Regionals that sent the Cocks to Omaha for the first time!

 

There were two displays that included memorabilia for USC Track. This one included images ranging from Scooter Rucks to upcoming Hall of Fame inductee Terrance Trammell. The letter sweater in the center belonged to HOFer BILLY GAMBRELL. Besides being two time ACC Back of the Year, was also the ACC Long Jump Champion!

 

 

 

As always, George Rogers was very generous and brought many super items for a display tribute to the USC, State of South Carolina, State of Georgia and College Football Hall of Famer!

 

 

 

 

 

Featured in this display are the Gamecocks's top two all-time leading scorers: B.J. MACKIE and ALEX ENGLISH. Alex is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and is one of Pro Basketball's All-Time leading scorers! B.J. is to be inducted into the USC Hall of Fame this fall!

 

 

 

 

 

Greats...College and Pro! This display included uniforms worn by Hall of Fame inductees ROBERT BROOKS and BOBBY BRYANT. Both Gamecock stars had successful professional careers... Brooks with the Cheese Head Green Bay Packers and Bryant with the Vikings in the days of the famed Purple People Eaters.

 

 

On hand for this Bi-Centennial Gamecock Sports Spectacular were a number of Gamecock football greats to meet the fans and to sign autographs. The autograph line was around the room and out the door!

 

 

 

The players seem to have enjoyed it as much as the fans! Here we see USC Hall of Fame legends JEFF GRANTZ and BOBBY BRYANT signing for the fans. 

 

 

 

The Bi-Centennial autograph guests spanned generations of the USC faithful in attendance. Several of the guests were members of the USC Hall of Fame including ALEX HAWKINS, DOM FUSCI and BOB FULTON. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hall of Famer HAROLD GREEN is seen here with MIKE SAFRAN while they check out Harold's black game jersey.

 

 

 

This display included memorabilia from some of USC's basketball legends with a tribute to COACH FRANK McGUIRE at the center. To the left and right are game uniforms and Hall of Fame plaques from MARTHA PARKER HESTER and SHEILA FOSTER. Both of these Lady Gamecocks had their jersey numbers retired after completion of their careers at Carolina.

I think that Coach would have been honored to be hanging out with women of this caliber!

 

 

This display was a shout-out to MiIKE HOLD and the 1984 Black Magic Gamecock squad. The centerpiece of this display was the a photo featuring Hold presenting the game ball at the conclusion of the 1984 Carolina v Clemson game in Death Valley.

 

 

 

 

Another standout of the Black Magic team was DEL WILKES. Del was selected to the Kodak All-American team and later wrestled professionally as "The Patriot". The Patriot was recreated as an action figure with the package listing "Columbia, SC" as his home. How many Gamecocks have had their own action figure!

 

 There was a surprise visit by COACH LOU HOLTZ who enjoyed a special tour of USC's past seen above with ROBBIE GARFIELD.