Gamecocks vs. Huskies Scene Setter

Here it is, the final scene setter of the season:

Gamecocks Visit B’Ham Civil Rights Institute

Papajohns.com Bowl Day 1 Sights

Images from Day 1 in Birmingham

Bowl Trip: Day 1 Begins

Good morning from Birmingham!

View from my hotel room

After a short flight from Columbia (I couldn’t even get through my in-flight movie selection), we arrived in Birmingham yesterday afternoon. I went to dinner in Five Points – the streets were kind of quiet. Apparently the expected crowd of approximately 15,000 Gamecock fans has not arrived yet.

Today is the first official day of the bowl and the team has a busy schedule ahead. Coach Spurrier has a press conference at 10:30 a.m.

Following the press conference is the Monday Morning Quarterback Club Kickoff Luncheon at noon. Both teams will be in attendance as 1992 Heisman Trophy Winner Gino Torretta will be the featured speaker. In addition, former Alabama All-American running back Bobby Humphrey will be honored as the Golden Flake Legend of Birmingham. The award recognizes current or former Birmingham residents who have distinguished themselves in their careers.

After the luncheon, the team will board the buses and head to its first practice in Birmingham (check GamecocksOnline.com later today for post-practice video and recap).

After practice, the team returns to the hotel before departing again for a team welcome dinner.

Stay tuned to Spurs Up and GamecocksOnline for more coverage of bowl week.

Gamecocks Sell Out Bowl Allotment

The South Carolina Athletics Ticket Office has sold out the school’s 10,000 ticket allotment for the Papajohns.com Bowl on January 2nd. Gamecock fans still wishing to travel to Birmingham for the game can purchase tickets through the bowl’s official website at www.papajohnsbowl.com. Tickets are $40 plus any applicable fees. You can also call at 205.413.4849.

For fans who have already purchased tickets, all tickets ordered by Friday the 18th at noon, were mailed Friday afternoon. All other orders were mailed today. All tickets shipped were 2-day priority mail, with delivery confirmation.

Gamecock Nation Welcome Bash

Add one more fan event at the Papajohns.com Bowl to the list we posted yesterday. The Athletics Department and the Carolina Alumni Association will host a Gamecock Nation Welcome Bash on Friday, January 1st from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at On Tap Sports Cafe – Lakeview. Located in downtown Birmingham, On Tap Sports Cafe is at 737 29th Street South. View the map below for directions.

Bowl Ticket Sales Going Well

When I last checked with our ticket office about bowl ticket sales, we had already surpassed the number of tickets we sold for the Outback Bowl trip last season. It appears that Gamecock fans are excited about making the trip to see the Gamecocks take on the Huskies. So far, the ticket office has sold over 8,500 tickets.

If you haven’t ordered your tickets yet for the Papajohns.com Bowl, it’s not too late. Even if you aren’t going, buy some for a Gamecock fan as a gift for the holidays! Call 800-4SC-FANS or click here to order online.

Gamecock Fan Events at Bowl Game

Gamecock Fans Headquarters

Sponsored by the South Carolina Athletics Department and the Carolina Alumni Association:

On Tap Sports Cafe – Lakeview

www.ontapsportscafe.com

737 29^TH Street South, Downtown Birmingham

205-320-1225

On Tap Sports Cafe – Lakeview/Southside is located next to St. Vincent’s Hospital. Consistently voted one of the best downtown bars in Birmingham and in 2008 was voted the best by the Birmingham News and Birmingham Magazine.

Weekend Fan Events

Friday, January 1

Street Festival (2:00 – 8:00 p.m.) and Pep Rally (5:00 – 6:00 p.m.)

Both events are located in the Five Points area in downtown Birmingham

Saturday, January 2

Gamecocks Pre-Game Rally and Send-Off (9:00 – 11:00 a.m.) – Hosted by the Carolina Alumni Association and the Gamecock Club

• Sheraton Birmingham Hotel located at 2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North
• Featuring food, cash bar, Cocky and the Gamecock Cheerleaders!
• Tickets MUST be purchased in advance at www.gamecocksportstravel.com. You can also call 1-800-924-9993 to purchase a ticket.

Papajohns.com Bowl Fan Zone (Open from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on gameday)

• Located adjacent to the stadium east of Legion Field

Bowl Priority Deadline

Just a reminder to Gamecock Club members – today is the deadline to order your bowl tickets if you want to have them assigned by your priority. To order, call 800-4SC-FANS or click here.