What’s the best way for USC to honor Spurrier?
As the news was processed, more questions rose.
Now that Steve Spurrier is officially done at South Carolina, what’s the best way to honor him?
“Yes,” USC President Harris Pastides interjected when Spurrier was asked if he’d be recognized in the future. He didn’t say what, but some things have already been suggested.
Chuck Allen, the former football captain and driving force behind George Rogers’ statue outside of Williams-Brice Stadium, proposed naming the field after Spurrier – “Steve Spurrier Field at Williams-Brice Stadium” or something similar. Spurrier was flattered but said during the summer that it was an idea that could wait.
Now it may be coming back to the forefront. The Gamecocks have four remaining home games and Pastides said some form of recognition could happen during one of them. “I think we need to get him on the field this year to let the fans in that stadium salute him,” Pastides told The State on Tuesday.
Allen thought the idea of re-naming the field might pick up steam. “I would just reiterate my feelings about the job he’s done for us,” Allen said. “What I proposed over the summer, naming the field after him, he’s clearly the best coach in school history and I tip my hat to him.”
USC has an 80-foot banner of Spurrier hanging outside the stadium and his name is twice written on one of the stadium portals. He is recognized as being the school’s career leader in overall wins and wins in a season.
There could be more. The end of his tenure shouldn’t tarnish the legacy he leaves.
“We’ll find some way to honor him,” Alen said. “It’s fitting.”
The State staff writer Andy Shain contributed to this report
This story was originally published October 13, 2015 at 11:15 PM.