1892 was the year that the South Carolina Gamecocks first played football. On the Christmas Eve of the same year, the team faced Furman in a competition that did not have the support of any affiliations to any educational institutions or the University of South Carolina. As a consequence, the players were the ones who paid for their transportation via train and for their own uniforms. They were addressed as College Boys by the print media at that time, they lost the first game, and the succeeding games of the season and the next season. With a burdened beginning, it was assumed that the school will not enter the competition. But they did and in making their way they made their own reputation in history in the football world.

A rough beginning
After a succession of defeats in playing the first two years of their existence, the football team of South Carolina at last made their first victory in facing Columbia AA in 1895. In 1896 the first victory that they have was followed through with the joining of their coach their very first. These humble beginnings of the team may be unlikely for the modern day fans of the team, during those days it is important to bear in mind that coaches were rare and usually the teams are coached by the players themselves. Another reason for the year 1896 being significant for the Carolina history is that it was the first time that they have encountered the Gamecocks and Clemson which would later become their natural opponent. The Gamecocks started the significant rivalry victorious.

C.R. Williams, the new coach consistently led the team for years, and made the team win several victories. In 1906 however, there was a suspension of football activities when the Board of Trustees of the school yielded to complaints of faculty concerning taunt that are vulgar manifested by the fans and demanded that sport be terminated. Good thing as they often happen in similar situations, protests from students and alumni forced the reinstatement of the program the following year. Even playing a schedule that was short of time as a consequence, the Gamecocks were able to gain victories of three competitions that they have participated in the year 1907.

New undertakings
South Carolina was a rising powerhouse of football the following decades, new players and coaches made South Carolina an established team in the Southern Conference that opponents have come to respect. After their victory in having the ACC title in the year 1969, they left the conference and molded the Notre Dame establishing themselves as an independent group. And later as they joined the Southeastern Conference, the team of the school carried on with their ways that are considered to be competitive; although most often they are overlooked in favor of schools that are of more prominence.

The Gamecocks is consistent in remaining as a Powerhouse of the SEC and is a team that should not be underestimated. They are a team that started to play losing two seasons to realize how to make a winning game.

Author Bio: Ivan Jamison is a big sports fan. You can check out his South Carolina Gamecocks Watch or his Seattle Mariners Watch or his Tampa Bay Devil Rays Watch

Category: Sports
Keywords: South Carolina Gamecocks