Aug. 24, 2005

Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina athletics department will feature a new pre-game activity for fans at the Grandstand at the State Fairgrounds this season.

The Toyota Gamecock Village is free to the public and will feature inflatable games for kids, appearances by Carolina Olympic sports teams, a pep rally each week with the USC Marching Band, freshly-grilled food for sale, and “register to win” and “play to win” games and sponsor booths. Former Gamecock football players will sign autographs at the Village each week as part of the Toyota Legends of the Game series.

For the game versus Central Florida on September 1st, the Village will open at 2:30 and close at 7:15. The first Legends of the Game, Ryan Brewer (’99-’02, Outback Bowl MVP) and Johnny Gramling (’51-’54, Carolina Hall of Fame), will appear from 4:00-5:00 pm. The featured Gamecock sports team the first week is the Carolina baseball team and they will be signing autographs from 5:45-6:45 pm. The marching band will appear at approximately 5:45 pm.

The Toyota Gamecock Village will be open for six of the seven home games during the 2005 season. The Village will be closed during the Kentucky game October 8th due to the State Fair.