Gamecock Fundraising Drive Kicks into Overtime
4th Quarter Drive Hits High Mark; Extended to Include WBS Improvements
As a result of continued fundraising success and incredible interest in future investments in Williams-Brice Stadium, Gamecock Athletics has announced it is extending its “4th Quarter Drive,” a campaign to raise $30 million for the new Long Family Football Operations Center, by an additional $10 million. Having already raised over $28 million, the new goal of $40 million will provide the funding necessary to enhance Gamecock Football gameday recruiting efforts, as well as enhance the gameday experience for fans.
The “Overtime” fundraising push will provide financing for almost half of the $21 million stadium renovation project announced earlier this fall, while also raising money to support student-athlete well-being, investing in training, nutrition and mental health needs, as well as professional development for all of South Carolina’s over 450 student-athletes.
Highlighting the fundraising successes of the fall were naming gifts for Rice Football Campus and the Robert and Janice McNair Football Practice Complex. Named after a generous gift from the family of Joe and Lisa Rice, the Rice Football Campus contains all the facilities dedicated to Gamecock football including the Long Center, Spurrier Indoor Facility and the aforementioned McNair Practice Complex, named by a substantial gift from Bob and Janice McNair.
“The support we have received from our donors for the Long Center project has been amazing,” remarked Athletics Director Ray Tanner. “This campaign has been the most successful effort in our department’s fundraising history. It only makes sense that we utilize this wave of momentum to get started with the work that needs to be done to Williams-Brice.”
Importantly, the “Overtime” push will bolster not only the recruiting experience at Williams-Brice Stadium for the football program, it will also be an investment that impacts Gamecock fans.
“The Long Center has already had a tangible impact on our recruiting efforts,” noted head football coach Will Muschamp. “The facility is exactly what our program needs. With the transition of many of the football functions going to the Long Center, we want to create spaces in Williams-Brice Stadium that will maximize gamedays for recruiting as well as benefit the experience for our fans.”
