March 12, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Members of the University of South Carolina football squad participated in four different community service projects in Columbia last week, as part of the athletics department’s “Team Gamecocks” program.

Players visited a home for foster children and talked with students at Hand Middle School, Carver-Lyon Elementary School and E.L. Wright Middle School. With the foster children, they spent an evening playing games and videos. Offensive tackle Watts Sanderson, a junior from Tampa, Fla., spent extra time with a youngster who has had some tough times in his past. A case worker at the school sent USC a note saying that the young boy has not stopped talking about his time with Watts and his behavior has improved remarkably.

At Hand Middle School, the players assisted with an after-school program for at-risk youth. They helped in the computer lab with homework and the academic skills program. Some of the players also participated in math and science team competitions.

At Carver Lyon Elementary, the players spoke to a group of third, fourth and fifth graders about the importance of education, what the daily life of a football player is like, what it takes to play college sports, who was the greatest influence on their life, and how important it is to respect other people.

Finally, some players visited E.L. Wright Middle School to read Dr. Seuss books in honor of the famous children’s author’s 98th birthday.

For more information on “Team Gamecocks” contact Kara Montgomery of the USC Athletics Department at 777-8704.