Great New Experiences for Fans at Williams-Brice Stadium
Sept. 8, 2015
There’s nothing quite like the experience of watching South Carolina football at Williams-Brice Stadium. Your experience will be even better in 2015 thanks to many amenities found within the new Springs Brooks Plaza and some great new dining options in and around the stadium.
“We were trying to come up with a signature item,” said Michael Jennings, Regional Vice President and acting General Manager for Centerplate, Inc., which is responsible for concessions at South Carolina’s athletics venues “The item we came up with is Carolina shrimp and grits. Not too many folks would go to a collegiate stadium and expect a food experience like shrimp and grits. Something else that’s new this year is Carolina peaches and cream where we’re going to grill certified South Carolina-grown peaches and put it over a white-bean vanilla ice cream.”
Initially those items will be available on the west side of the stadium. Centerplate is developing a location inside the stadium known as “Marketplace Fresh,” which will be in section 6 of the stadium where healthy sandwiches, wraps, salads and fruit will be available for purchase.
New to the upper and lower east side of the stadium will be the Black Bean Company, which also sells fresh sandwiches, salads and wraps. While you’ll still be able to enjoy your usual choices of hotdogs, hamburgers, and sodas, there are plenty of new offerings throughout the stadium.
Shrimp & Grits
Peaches & Cream
Black Bean Company
Carolina Kernels Popcorn
Marco’s Pizza & more
“Don’t get me wrong, hot dogs and things like that help make a game great,” Jennings said. “The hamburgers and chicken fingers and all of that will still be there. Now there’s just more variety to the type of things that will be available.”
Marco’s Pizza is the new pizza provider throughout the stadium. Bojangles’ Chicken will have a location inside the stadium along with Thai Kingdom and Carolina Kernels Gourmet Popcorn.
“They’ll have green-apple popcorn, cherry, chocolate drizzle, and a little bit of everything,” Jennings said. “They will also have some special flavors for some games based on our opponents.”
Springs Brooks Plaza
George Rogers Statue
Food Trucks
Bignon Game Day Center
Merchandise Store
A great experience also awaits just outside of Williams-Brice Stadium. If you don’t feel like spending a lot of time over a hot grill, a variety of food trucks will be available in Gamecock Park near the new practice facility. This will be a great opportunity to try all kinds of different tailgate choices without worrying about leftovers or running out of your favorite item. Look for different trucks as the season progresses.
There’s more than just lots of food to make your game day experience memorable. As you make your way to the new Springs Brooks Plaza, you’ll enjoy the ease of walking around the stadium without having to weave around parked vehicles. Meeting friends at the George Rogers statue or the 1960s era travel blazers display will likely be a regular destination on game day.
The new Bignon Game Day Center in the northeast section of the plaza provides convenient ticket windows as well as the game day parking office, and a 4,000 square foot merchandise store to keep you properly attired. If you have a question about your tickets, you can also visit the Ticket Resolution Booth on the west side of the stadium.
Speaking of tickets — Gamecock football season ticket holders now have access to some exciting new benefits in 2015. Last season, Gamecock Upgrades allowed you to create lifelong memories through unique VIP in-venue experiences and premium seat upgrades. There are a few new and improved features to take advantage of in 2015 for Gamecocks season ticket holders, including “Not Going,” “Sit with Friends.” and “Best Available Forever.” To learn more about each of these click here.
In addition to food, there’s more waiting for you inside the stadium. You will notice televisions and a radio feed at the concessions stands, so you won’t miss a play while you’re grabbing something to eat. Our students will also enjoy new water bottle filling stations in the student sections.
The clock is ticking. South Carolina’s first home game is Saturday against Kentucky. Who’s hungry for game day?
Check out a video preview tour of the Springs Brook Plaza.