THE place to be on USC game day: Springs-Brook Plaza at Williams-Brice Stadium

WHAT: Springs-Brooks Plaza

WHERE: USC’s Williams-Brice Stadium

WHEN: Home opener Saturday, Sept. 12

To compare Williams-Brice Stadium to the famous Roman Colosseum is not that much of a stretch.

They’re both found in capital cities with a history steeped in sporting events that have created legends and annihilated competition.

And though neither city was built in a day, the Colosseum was framed by breathtaking Rome, while USC’s Williams-Brice Stadium was surrounded by a busy parking lot and industrial buildings, billed by many fans as the “concrete jungle.”

That is, until now.

Thanks to the generosity of USC Gamecock alum Tami Springs and dozens of others, the 14-acre area has undergone a $14.5 million beautification facelift.

And thousands of University of South Carolina football fans arriving for the game against Kentucky will see the area now known as Springs-Brooks Plaza for the first time this Saturday, Sept. 12.

For the first home game of the season, fans will be greeted by a utopia of trees, walkways and benches, with more to come – a cohesive and classic look that creates a great space for pre- and post-game festivities.

Another treat on this opening day before the 7:30 p.m. kickoff – the unveiling of a statue of USC great and Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers.

Here, five things to know about the new Springs-Brooks Plaza:

1 There are 3,407 bricks with engraved messages from donors placed throughout the plaza, with opportunities available for donors to purchase bricks that will be placed for the 2016 season.

2 The statue of Rogers is on the northwest corner of the plaza. Plaques on the statue honor the Heisman Trophy winner and the 1980 Gamecocks team. .

3 Part of the $14.5 million project includes a modification of the corner ramps around the stadium so that fans can walk around the stadium inside the gates.

4 There are new restrooms on the southeast corner.

5 Located on the northeast corner of the plaza, the 12,000-square-foot Bignon Game Day Center includes ticket windows, game-day parking office and a 4,000-square-foot merchandise store.

THE VIBE: Finally, USC has an area that creates a fitting game day atmosphere for the legions of loyal Gamecock fans. The trees, green space, bricked walkways and gates are a far cry from the concrete, industrial-looking jungle from years past.

THE VERDICT: In Columbia between September and December, there’s nothing larger than college football, making the stadium for many a home away from home. It’s time we made the place look a little homier.

This story was originally published September 8, 2015 at 6:56 PM with the headline "THE place to be on USC game day: Springs-Brook Plaza at Williams-Brice Stadium."