Nov. 7, 2005

GAMECOCK FANS — GET WITH THE CAROLINA BASKETBALL TEAM THIS WEEK!

1. Gamecocks receive NIT Championship rings on Wednesday, Nov. 9 The South Carolina basketball team will receive its NIT Championship rings at the first 2005-06 meeting of the Columbia Tip-Off Club on Wednesday, Nov. 9 on the 25th floor of the Capital City Club (corner of Gervais and Assembly St.) when both Coach Odom and Coach Walvius address the crowd. The social will begin at 6 pm with the program set to begin at 7 pm. Due to class commitments, the ring ceremony will begin at 7 pm sharply and dinner will be served afterwards.

The Tip-Off Club has 10 meetings scheduled this year. A Columbia Tip-Off Club membership costs $150 for individuals or $400 for corporations, which receive three free tickets per meeting. The public is also always welcome for $20 at the door. For information regarding the Columbia Tip-Off Club call Patricia Sinclair at 803-422-5415.

2. Come see a Gamecock basketball game for free and help beat Carolina beat Clemson on the same night!

The University of South Carolina men’s basketball team, returning four starters from the 2005 NIT championship team, will open the season at the Colonial Center with a 7:30 pm exhibition against USC-Aiken on Thursday, Nov. 10. The exhibition will be free of charge and open to all the public. All seating will be general admission and doors at the Colonial Center will open at 6:30 pm.

The South Carolina student-athletes are participating in a food drive competition against the Clemson student-athletes. The Gamecock student-athletes will be on hand at the door that night (Nov. 10) to collect canned food items. The canned food drive, a competition between the two school’s student-athletes, will culminate on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Carolina-Clemson football game when the winner will be announced at half-time. All canned food items collected from both schools will be donated to Harvest Hope Food Bank. Basketball fans are encouraged to bring multiple cans of food to the Colonial Center.

3. FIVE POINTS FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS – GAMECOCK BASKETBALL STYLE

Come down to Five Points in Columbia this Friday night around 10:15 pm and you will see a real first for the Gamecock basketball teams and its fans – FIVE POINTS FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS – GAMECOCK BASKETBALL STYLE.

With a half-court set-up under the lights in the middle of Five Points, both the men’s and the women’s basketball teams will host a street fest for fans on Friday, Nov. 11.

The street-fest will include both teams showing their skills, a special welcome from basketball’s Renaldo Balkman and Shannel Harris, a shooting contest for fans with valuable prizes (airline tickets, Gamecock basketball gear, Nike shoes, autograph balls, t-shirts, a suite for 38 people at a basketball game at the Colonial Center) and performances by Cocky, the Gamecock cheerleaders and dance team.

4. GAMECOCKS SIGN AUTOGRAPHS AT GAMECOCK VILLAGE ON SATURDAY PRIOR TO FLORIDA GAME

The Gamecock men’s basketball team will sign autographs at Gamecock Village in the State Fairgrounds on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10:30 – 11:30 am prior to the Florida football game.

The Gamecock women’s basketball team will sign autographs at Gamecock Village from 11 am – Noon on Saturday as well.

Both teams will have their posters and schedule cards available to fans for free.