Mecklenburg Cock

I read this story this morning and had to call my dad. This story mirrors the reason why my dad, born in South Carolina and growing up in Eastern North Carolina is an LSU fan. After my dad read the Doug's story this morning he sent this email to him (hope you enjoy!):

"Hello, Doug. My name is Tom and I live in Charlotte. I got cold chills when your LSU radio article was shown to me by my son a few minutes ago. And here's why. I, too, experienced a near mirror-image experience of LSU radio discovery much the same as you. And, I agree there's nothing like it.

I was born in '46 to a native of Blackstock(mom) and a native of Columbia(dad) who in fact was born in a house that originally sat on the spot where the Capstone building now sits on the USC campus. Dad was a big Frank Howard fan, used to watch his TV show every Sunday after church. We had moved to Bladenboro in eastern North Carolina when in 1959 I discovered LSU, and it was on the radio. It was Halloween night 1959 - you know what's coming - I had been out with my buddies trick-or-treating. I'd gotten as much candy as my bag would hold and had gone home to spread all of it out on my bedroom floor. Somewhere in this process I decided to turn the radio on, AM of course. All of the stations in our area had already signed off for the night the sun having gone down. I used to listen to WKYC, WWL, WLS, KDKA, and WLAC. But, that night I picked up something I'd never heard before, a football game. Really, I had never heard a football game on the radio. The announcer, who's name you recited in the article, got my attention along with some guy named Billy Cannon. What a catchy name! Needless to say it all led up to THE RUN of a lifetime that 49 years later won't go away. I listened to Billy run that punt back, the announcer being drownded out for some said 7 minutes. I couldn't believe my ears and I have been hooked on LSU ever since. My wife thinks I'm nuts. And that's ok. Billy Cannon the icon is larger than legend regardless of his checkered past of the '80's. Who else do you know who has been selected for the college football hall of fame twice? I've been to Death Valley twice, in '86 to see UNC lose to the Tigers, then again in '02 to see the Gamecocks get theirs handed to them. There is no place anywhere like Tiger Stadium, totally unbelievable. On Saturday nights during football season it's the worlds largest open-air liquor warehouse! No doubt about it! Booze everywhere! And the hands-down best food you've ever had tailgating! Next year is the 50th anniversary of THE RUN. I don't know what's planned for the celebration and I can't imagine not being there. I have a connection to tickets to LSU anytime I want to go so we'll see. And, I'll be in Columbia for tomorrow nights game as I was the last time the Tigers came to town. Tomorrow night I'll be sitting next to the Tiger Band. That's going to be really special. That's it. Thanks for your story. Thanks for reading mine."

Doug was nice enough to respond with in a few minutes to my dad this morning. Here's what he had to say:

"Tom:

Thanks so much for sharing your story. Good old fashioned goose bumps IS a great way to describe what it was like to listen to LSU football.

I, too, heard Cannon's Halloween night run the next year. Another thing I remember about that game is that after Billy's run Ole Miss drove down to the LSU two. Then "here come the Chinese Bandits."

Since those long ago years I have also been able to attend a couple or so games at Tiger Stadium. What a great experience! I will be there at Williams-Brice tomorrow night, too.

Again, thanks for your memories.

Doug"

FYI, here's little dose of what you can expect traffic wise Saturday. The fair really makes for a lot of headaches on gamedays. Plan to get there early and stay late. Otherwise, you'll just sit in traffic, 20 feet away from your tailgate spot wishing you had just stayed parked for another hour or so.

LINK

21 and up.

goinallout, if Green's doesn't work you can also get both beer and liquor at the DDB (Discount Beverage) on the corner of Beltline and Rosewood. They have separate sides for the beer and liquor but it's near the stadium as Rosewood will take you straight down to the fairgrounds.

This game is definitely huge for both sides. You guys have so much talent, but at this point seem to be young and without any proven leaders on both sides of the ball. This game will go a long way to show the type of character LSU has.

On our end, we have momentum after two come from behind wins at Ole Miss and Kentucky. While our defense has been solid all year, our offense sputtered out of the gates. Since the Ole Miss game the offense seems to be playing much better given the emergence of Moe Brown and Jason Barnes at WR. Plus, the return of Kenny McKinley cannot be overlooked. Not only is he our best WR but the leadership he brings to the huddle and sideline was missing. If Garcia plays the way he played last weekend in relief action then he could be a lot of fun to watch (for Gamecocks). He's a fiery competitor that seems to bring energy and leadership to the huddle (something that has been missing at the QB position since Spurrier's arrival).

My dad's an LSU fan and will be at the game with me. It'll be his first night game at Williams-Brice so we're both excited. This game is big on bothside of the field and hopefully will live up to the billing.

The Clarion is a good spot. You're right, it's right across from campus and is right in the middle between Five Points and the Vista. If you're staying there you'll be fine.

LSUhumbleFAN, you might check in with the Country Inn and Suites. It's right off of I77 at Sumter Highway/Garners Ferry Road. There are actually a couple of hotels there that are perfectly safe (I've stayed in both for weddings and other various events). Plus, Rush's is a block or down the road (Good Chilly-Cheeseburgers).

Also, if you have to get a little further out of town there's a decent hotel up at the Blythewood exit a little further north up I77. That'll get you heading in the right direction back to the Triad area. (I'm not sure what exit number, but it's Blythewood Road.)

Amongst other places, both of those spots are safe and will give you a relatively easy path to the stadium from I77.

Best case scenario, get a place at the Whitney Hotel. Right near Five Points and in the nicer part of Columbia.

This'll add new meaning to our match up with Arky if Tammy goes there.

Nothing like following in Danny Ford's footsteps!

I'm with you. Coaching changes have become a season in and of itself.

Sabbath, didn't even notice until now that you're in Cola. Hope all's well down there!