July 11, 2003

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Members of the USC football team shared their time Friday with children at the Richland County Public Library in Columbia to encourage summer reading during the sixth annual Pigskin Poets Day. Approximately 25 Gamecocks were on hand to help celebrate the library’s Summer Reading Club program while over 200 children were in attendance to meet their gridiron heroes.

The day’s program opened when the USC players, donned in game jerseys, entered the Bostick Auditorium to the 2001 fanfare and loud cheers in a similar fashion to home games at Williams-Brice Stadium. After the Gamecock players were introduced to the crowd, wide receiver Taqiy Muhammad and defensive end Fran Person took to the library’s auditorium stage to read a book to the children in attendance. The program also featured stories and games before concluding with players signing autographs for the young attendees.

South Carolina kicks off its 2003 season in 50 days with an Aug. 30 home contest against Louisiana-Lafayette.

Defensive end Fran Person (left) and wide receiver Taqiy Muhammad read to the children.

Offensive lineman Jonathan Alston signs autographs for young Gamecock fans.

Tight end Hart Turner poses with a young USC fan.