COLUMBIA, S.C. — The countdown is nearly over, as Gamecock football's season opener is less than 24 hours away. This year, fans will notice a change in the player entrance—a tribute to a Gamecock legend.
The new "Tommy Suggs 2001 Gamecock Football Entrance" pays tribute to the quarterback and long-time radio broadcaster. The idea for this entrance began over 40 years ago when Suggs was inspired after watching music icon Elvis Presley enter the stage live in 1977 to the theme of "2001: A Space Odyssey."
"I thought, 'I got to do this. This has got to be the way South Carolina Gamecocks football team enters the field,'" Suggs said.
Suggs pushed for the idea to be used at South Carolina football games. In 1983, it finally became the reality Gamecock fans witness today.
"So the first time it was played was in the first game of 1983. So I stayed after it that long, believing in it, and all the people agreed with me, we just couldn't get it done. And then finally, when we got it done," Suggs said. "And then I just saw the emotion happen. And I saw the football team just go into a frenzy. And I went, ‘I got it. That's it.’"
As the 2024-25 season kicks off, players will run through the newly named entrance for the first time as they leave the locker room and take the field—and Suggs will be there to witness it.
"That will be exciting and somewhat emotional," Suggs said. "But, you know, when that happens, I have my game face on. You know, I am prepared for the game."
Suggs, who played quarterback for the Gamecocks from 1968 to 1970, has been part of the radio broadcast team ever since.
"I'm sitting there in the booth with Todd and our people up there, and I got my charts in front of me," he said. "And that's part of it, but the main part is when the whistle blows and we start the game."
Suggs said the now-traditional entrance often leaves opposing fans and players in awe.
"A lot of them stand up. They don't cheer. A lot of them look around," Suggs said. "And the same thing happens when we follow it up with Sandstorm. I've had Alabama people repeatedly tell me that it's the loudest stadium and most emotional stadium they have ever been in when we played them in 2010 and beat them here. I've also had Georgia people tell me the same thing because when we start playing well, that place starts rocking."
Despite the changes in the entrance, Suggs said he believes the core message remains the same.
"Just go play. Just go play. Play hard," he said. "Do what your coaches tell you to do. Be disciplined. Be under control. Play with emotion, though, and just play."
This season marks Suggs' 50th year providing color commentary and analysis for the Gamecocks. He will be recognized, alongside his family, on Sept. 14 before USC takes on the Louisiana State University Tigers.