July 24, 2007

Watch the Press Conference on Gamecock All-Access

PHOTO GALLERY OF THE EVENT

BJ McKie Audio

Kevin Joyce Audio

John Roche Audio

Coach Odom Audio

BJ McKie, Kevin Joyce and John Roche spoke to the fans and the media to kick off the 100 Years of Basketball celebration at the Colonial Center Tuesday.

BJ MCKIE

“First I just want to say that it’s a pleasure to be here. I’m kind of in awe right now with the legendary John Roche and Kevin Joyce. I’ve seen different pictures of them playing and it’s finally good to see them back. Hopefully they come back a whole lot more.

“It’s a great day for Carolina basketball. We need to thank these guys for coming back. I think there is something there that will progress later on. We have a long way to go as far as just getting it back together as far as where it needs to be. Like Dave (Odom) was saying before, everybody’s been in groups and I think it’s time that stopped because all of us are family here. All of us respect each other and all of us love each other. I think anyone would break their back if anybody needed anything. I just thank everybody for being here. I thank Coach Odom as well and I think we’ll have a great season this year.”

(on his greatest moments at USC)
“I had a lot of great moments. The SEC Championship was really great. We came back to the airport afterwards and saw about 5,000 fans out there. Against Kentucky we had a fine crowd over there. Getting my jersey retired and just coming here as a whole has been a great experience. One of the greatest moments I had was in my mom and dad’s bedroom when I told them I was going to the University of South Carolina, to tell you the truth. I wouldn’t change anything for the world. To go here for four years and have everybody see me grow up and to have everybody support me in the games, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

KEVIN JOYCE

“Thank you very much for being here today. Thank you to Coach Odom for having me. I want to just say how much I appreciate what you have done to try to bring us together. I know you have been working on this for years and have tried to get me involved. I’ve failed you a couple of times, sorry about that. I have kids who are competitive skiers and I have to travel all over Vermont to take them to competitions so I didn’t get down for the reunion last year.”

“There has been a great tradition here at South Carolina. I love it. I lived here for 10 years. There are great people here. It’s gonna be a great year. To bring everybody back together, we have been in different pods (different generations), it’s important to bring everyone back as one.”

(on the famous Jump to the Moon play vs. North Carolina to win the 1971 ACC title)
“Yes (head coach Frank McGuire) did say that. It wouldn’t actually happen now because there is no jump ball. We came back (against the Tar Heels), 10 down against them. I drove to the baseline, got blocked and it came down and got it tied up with Lee Dedmon (North Carolina center (6-10), Joyce is 6-3) and we had a jump ball. Tom (Owens) called time out and we went over to the sideline and I was by myself and psyching myself up and Coach came to me and said “Jump to the Moon.” I did and Tom made a great shot to win the game. A great win for us.”

JOHN ROCHE

“Thank you. It is my pleasure to be here. I am certainly glad to have come back today.”

“I’ve heard over the years in the circles that there is some perception that I made a conscious decision not to visit the state or the University. For 25 years I have been removed from the state of South Carolina living in Denver and removed really from the world of athletics. I’ve been practicing law. By nature, I tend to be a little private and stay close to home.”