July 31, 2004
Columbia, S.C. –
o The sixth annual Lou Holtz Ladies Football Clinic was held Saturday. The session began at 8:15 a.m. at the Colonial Center, with USC head coach Lou Holtz signing autographs and posing for pictures for more than an hour. Approximately 600 ladies were in attendance. Coach Holtz then addressed the group and took questions. There were also talks and demonstrations from equipment manager Chris Matlock, former official Grady Ray, strength coach Pat Moorer, and assistant trainer Bill Martin. A group of the coaches’ wives, including Sara Stockstill, Patti Ann Shankweiler, Djuna Cooper, Sharon Moorer, and Jennifer Holtz spoke. Players who were on hand to speak to the group included Gonzie Gray, Troy Williamson, Darrell Shropshire, Jabari Levey, Kris Mick, John Strickland, Cody Wells, Lance Laury, Woodly Telfort, and Taqiy Muhammad. The afternoon concluded with a tour of Williams-Brice Stadium.
o “This clinic officially starts football season,” said Coach Holtz. “We always enjoy this clinic because the ladies are so enthusiastic and responsive. We’ll never have a men’s clinic because we want to make sure we speak to the intelligent side of the family,” joked the Gamecock coach.
o Coach Holtz mentioned that the Gamecocks would wear black jerseys at home with white pants. On the road, they will wear white jerseys with black pants. The team will also sport new black helmets this season, featuring the block C logo on the side, trimmed in white.
o Coach Holtz said that he wanted all of the ladies who supported the Gamecocks to feel special. “They’ll be invited to our first scrimmage; they are very important to our program. In fact, they probably are the ones who sign 70 percent of the donation checks to the Gamecock Club.”
o Coach Holtz told the ladies that he wants this year’s edition of the Gamecocks to be a total team. “I can’t tell you who the key players are going to be, but I can tell you that we will be united as one, as a true team.”
o Most of the returning squad went through a grueling conditioning test Friday morning, where they had to run 30 40-yard dashes in a required time. Coach Holtz said that just about everyone who took the test passed, including some who weren’t here during second session of summer school, like Moe Thompson, Jamacia Jackson, Ryan Brown and Curtis Rice. Those players who have not passed the test can take it during this upcoming week. “We’ve got to be in football shape when we report and that’s what this test shows,” said Holtz.
o Coach Holtz says he looks for returning starter Dondrial Pinkins to have a solid year at quarterback. “I know there are a lot of people who don’t believe in Dondrial Pinkins, but I’m not one of them,” said Holtz. “I believe in him as a quarterback and I believe in him as a person. All he needs is a little confidence.”
o The official report date for the Gamecocks is next Friday, Aug. 6. The first practice is set for the next day, Aug. 7. The team will put on the pads Aug. 11. Classes begin on Aug. 19. Carolina opens its 2004 season Sept. 4 at Vanderbilt. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. (eastern time) with Jefferson-Pilot Sports televising.
* Approximately 60,000 season football tickets have been sold this year, which ranks as the third highest total in the program’s history. USC has also set an all-time mark in fund-raising this year, totaling more than $11.9 million to the Gamecock Club.
