Nov. 9, 2007

The University of South Carolina will pay a final tribute at Williams-Brice Stadium for the seven victims who died in a tragic fire at a North Carolina beach house on Oct. 28.

Two black ribbons, each adorned with seven stars, representing the six University of South Carolina students and the Clemson University student who perished in the fire, will be painted on the Williams-Brice Stadium field.

In addition, the University of South Carolina football team will continue to wear a special helmet decal with the phrase “Forever to Thee.” The team wore the decal for the first time at the Arkansas game last Saturday.

“It was a terrible tragedy for our university and the families involved,” said Head Coach Steve Spurrier. “For parents who have had teenagers go to college – I’ve had four now – you trust that they’ll be safe and make good decisions. It’s a terrible tragedy any time a family has to bury one of their children. We’ll remember these students and hopefully we can recover, but for the families it will be forever,” said Coach Spurrier. “There’s a phrase in our alma mater, `Forever To Thee.’ That will be on the back of our helmets.”

The Gamecocks (6-4, 3-4 SEC) will host the Florida Gators (6-3, 4-3 SEC) at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.