Carolina Life | USC sports excites tailgating pals

The question hangs in the air alongside the smell of hot dogs on the grill. Pre-game music blares from Ron Stevenson’s Gamecock van. Garnet and black decorate every inch of outdoor space.

“Good Lord, how many days a year do we tailgate?”

With help from his pals, Stevenson begins to tally. The group doesn’t have enough fingers and toes.

“Twelve in football, without a doubt. If we’re on a road trip, add another five days to that. Now we’re up to 17 days.”

What about baseball season?

“Home baseball — we play a 56-game schedule. Thirty-two or so are at home. ... Add it all up, with an occasional basketball game, and we probably tailgate 60-75 days a year.”

Stevenson is a founder of the area in Sarge Frye Field known as the K Corner. He throws down a K for the first strikeout thrown by a USC pitcher.

The easy atmosphere, mostly middle-aged, lures newbies into the tailgating web. A beautiful, sunny spring day, a few adult beverages and a love of Gamecock sports are all a person needs to want to return — again and again and again.

“When they hit it, kick it, shoot it, run it, throw it or catch it,” Stevenson says, “we watch it.”

Jerry Medlock of Warrenton, Va., drives 496 miles each way for every weekend home game. His roots in Loris continue to yank at his heartstrings. Even after 28 years in Virginia, the Gamecock fan is eager to move back after he retires.

“We’re family here,” he says. “When I come down here, I’m not just coming to see Gamecock baseball and Gamecock football.

“I come to see my family.”