5 'new traditions' that didn’t work

South Carolina fans gathered a couple of hours before kickoff to wish their football team well in the lastest “new tradition” at Williams-Brice Stadium. Five other “new traditions” that did not work so well:

1. ROCKIN’ WITH THE GAMECOCKS

Prior to the 2001 season, the previous coach organized a new “spirit song” for USC. “Rockin’ with the Gamecocks” lasted one game.

2. BLACK OUT

That same season, a fan organized a “Black Out” at Williams-Brice as ESPN’s Game Day arrived in Columbia for the first time. After Steve Spurrier’s fourth-ranked Florida Gators pounded 14th-ranked USC 54-17, he infuriated USC fans by saying the all-black apparel gave “our receivers a good background.”

3. CAROLINA GIRLS

“Carolina Girls.” Enough said.

4. “THE GAME IS ON!”

The Lee Corso-bashing slogan died a slow death during the 2007 season.

5. GRIDIRON BASH

The Gridiron Bash. The Black Crowes were scheduled to play on Friday prior to the 2008 spring game. A bad idea never came to fruition.

— Ron Morris