Quote: WYP -- The MAIN reason the SCHSL State Championships are not at USC's Stone Stadium is due to the fact that SCHSL Commissioner Jerome Singleton prefers to have a stadium with two sides -- i.e. home/away. Stone Stadium does not allow for this configuration.
Members of the SCHSSCA Executive Committee met with Mr. Singleton Wednesday and will do so again this weekend and in the near future to discuss a potential return to Stone Stadium. USC definitely wants the games and we have received tremendous support from Coach Berson and Coach Smith among others involved at Carolina.
However, ultimately, the decision lies with the SCHSL and Mr. Singleton. There have been discussions regarding other Columbia-area venues such as Benedict College (field turf) and other high school stadiums. I will say that Memorial does offer the best site for what the SCHSL desires -- equal and ample seating on both sides of the stadium, locker room facilities, decent parking space, and it's pretty easy from a security standpoint.
But if you want my opinion, I'd vote for a return to USC Stone Stadium and have the middle tier of seats reserved for coaches, media, etc. and have the teams sit on the four sections on either side of the middle (directly below the press box). Outside of the Class 4A games, you rarely would have much of an issue with fans clashing together.
I know that administrators like to separate opposing fans but it shouldn't be at the expense of reducing the quality of the game. Stone is very nice. Hopefully all fans will behave properly this weekend and SCHSL will not have a "soccer hooligan" arguement to hang their hat on.
Kevin, I thought the main reason SCHSL would want the boys championship played at Memorial is because attendance has outgrown Stone?
Kids play sports because they find it fun. Eliminate the fun and soon you eliminate the kid.
