25 events that happened in Columbia the year USC’s Class of 2016 grads were born
Over the next couple of days, one of the most momentous occasions in the lives of 4,237 young men and women will occur when they graduate with baccalaureate degrees from the University of South Carolina.
These graduates have seen a lot of things happen in their lifetimes so far: The emergence of cell phones morphing into smartphones, texting, flatscreen TVs, Netflix, Facebook and Twitter; the Gamecocks winning two national baseball championships, the football team beating Clemson five times in a row and the women’s basketball team bursting into national prominence.
Most of the graduates who will receive diplomas Friday and Saturday were born in 1994, and it was a pretty eventful year.
Nationally, folks watched O.J. Simpson lead police on a chase in his white Ford Bronco. They didn’t watch Major League Baseball, because the season was cancelled due to a players’ strike. The NHL had a shortened season because of a strike.
Closer to home, Columbians were shocked when Susan Smith drowned her two young children in Union County. Shannon Faulkner fought to become the first female cadet at The Citadel, but dropped out.
Here are some of the other things that were happening in Columbia 21 years ago.
1. The Rolling Stones played at Williams-Brice Stadium. They began the concert with “Not Fade Away” and ended with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” as an encore.
2. The Gamecocks won their first bowl game, with a 33-7 win over West Virginia in the Carquest Bowl. Steve Taneyhill was quarterback and it was Brad Scott’s first season as coach.
3. Hootie and the Blowfish released “Cracked Rear View,” which made them nationally famous.
4. Cocky won National Mascot of the Year.
5. Like the rest of the country, Columbians were watching the first season of “Friends.”
6. And like the rest of the country, Columbians were going to the movie theater to see newly released “Lion King,” “Dumb and Dumber,” and “Forrest Gump.”
7. The Columbia Mets became the Columbia Bombers and played at Capital City Stadium.
8. David Beasley was elected governor.
9. Carroll Campbell finished his second term as governor.
10. Air South headquartered its company in Columbia, marketing itself as a low-cost airline. They left in 1997.
11. An F-3 tornado hit Lexington.
12. CCI, a maximum security prison located off Huger and Gervais Streets on the Congaree River, closed after 128 years.
13. A shooting at Eau Claire High School killed one student.
14. Taylor Street Pharmacy sold to Revco, which later became CVS.
15. Bob Fulton, the “Voice of the Gamecocks,” retired after doing play-by-play for 42 years.
16. Former USC basketball coach Frank McGuire died at age 80.
17. USAir Flight 1016 from Columbia to Charlotte crashed near the Charlotte airport, killing 37.
18. Kress announced it was closing its Main Street store after 60 years in business.
19. USC student leaders lobbied in the spring for the university to extend visitor hours in dorms. In the fall, USC president John Palms did that, extending hours in some dorms from noon-11:30 p.m. to 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
20. University Terrace Apartments was demolished. Bull Street Garage is there now.
21. Irmo High School won the state basketball championship with BJ McKie on the roster. In the fall, McKie committed to play at USC.
22. Eddie Fogler was a first-year coach at USC, finishing 9-19. Carey Rich was a junior on the team.
23. It was the 12th year for the St. Patrick’s Day Festival. The Root Doctors, Elliott and the Untouchables and Jack Williams and White Lies performed.
24. Phish played at The Township, ZZ Top at the Carolina Coliseum and REO Speedwagon performed at Cockfest.
25. Like the rest of the country, many Columbians were introduced to the internet with the release of Netscape Navigator.
And while all of that was going on, many of USC’s graduating seniors were being born and being infants. Parents may shed a tear or two thinking about that while watching their kids get those college degrees this weekend.
Where (not) to go on graduation day
Not everyone will want to go to the graduation ceremonies at the University of South Carolina.
While there will be thousands of parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents and friends who do want to be there, many Columbians will want to avoid the happy chaos that accompanies such a momentous occasion.
By the way, USC says this will be the largest graduation in school history.
For those who don’t want to be there, here are some areas you may want to avoid:
Colonial Life Arena, the Koger Center and all roads leading to either. Friday, May 6 ceremonies are scheduled for 3 p.m. at Colonial Life and noon at Koger. On Saturday, May 7, there are ceremonies at Colonial Life at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., and at Koger at 1 p.m. The ceremonies last about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The doors open two hours before graduation at Colonial Life and families will be waiting. Traffic won’t be as bad as it is for USC basketball games – the Gamecocks’ average attendance for women’s games was a national high 14,364 this year, and for men it was 11,995. There are a total of 5,973 graduates this year – that includes master’s, law school, medical school, pharmacy and doctorate degrees. Not all “walk,” and those who do are spread out over six ceremonies on Friday and Saturday.
The Vista. Restaurants, coffee shops and dessert spots will make this a popular destination after each ceremony as graduates and their families celebrate.
Columbia’s other “celebrate big occasions” restaurants located downtown and around campus. Graduates – with those parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents and friends – will be looking for places to eat once they nab those diplomas. At least call ahead. Or, if you were smart, you made a reservation – weeks ago.
The Horseshoe. What better place for graduation photos?
Five Points the night after graduation. Once the families go home or back to hotels, it will be time for the new graduates to celebrate with friends.
Lezlie Patterson, Special to Go Columbia
This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 9:16 AM with the headline "25 events that happened in Columbia the year USC’s Class of 2016 grads were born."