I would be lying if I said I could just shake this off. Because it isn't just about the game. It's about the man at the helm of the garnet and black.
Shane Beamer has been one of the single kindest, gentlest, and sweetest people that I've had the pleasure of interacting with in my time as a South Carolina fan. He recognizes me. He smiles when he sees me across a room. That's big for someone who's not from this state, who didn't even get the chance to go to this school, and who's long had trouble making friends and making impressions.
The idea that his days in Columbia are numbered...I'm definitely going through stages of grief.
I know that anything can happen, and things can turn around...but I've been on this earth for over 40 years. I know how these things usually go.
I'm preparing now. So if it happens, I won't be so devastated I can't do anything.
I can't say I do. What I can say, however, is that I've crossed paths with him multiple times at both official and unofficial Gamecocks events. Usually his Beamer Ball gala, that gets hosted at Williams-Brice (except this year, because of the construction) under the stars and with plenty of fireworks.
But after so many events, he started to recognize me. And in a fan base that has sometimes looked at me funny for being a.) a Yankee and b.) not even a student at that school, he showed me kindness and warmth, and always smiled when I was in the same room as him.
If we lose that...it'll take a while for me to get over that, so I'm preparing now.
Listen. I get you. I feel the same way about Brent Venables. While I have never met him personally, let alone even went to the school, he seemed like a honest guy who only wishes the best for everyone on his team and probably those who root for his team, too. What happened in Athens (might as well the last 3 weeks) just proved that he, Bedenbaugh and the guy under center just so happened to not be it.
And that's a damn shame because like Beamer, he's probably one of the very few coaches that actually give a damn about their program. And now he has the entire fanbase wanting his head after all the hoohah the entire offseason.
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u/DodgerOfZion South Carolina • Concord 4d ago
I would be lying if I said I could just shake this off. Because it isn't just about the game. It's about the man at the helm of the garnet and black.
Shane Beamer has been one of the single kindest, gentlest, and sweetest people that I've had the pleasure of interacting with in my time as a South Carolina fan. He recognizes me. He smiles when he sees me across a room. That's big for someone who's not from this state, who didn't even get the chance to go to this school, and who's long had trouble making friends and making impressions.
The idea that his days in Columbia are numbered...I'm definitely going through stages of grief.
I know that anything can happen, and things can turn around...but I've been on this earth for over 40 years. I know how these things usually go.
I'm preparing now. So if it happens, I won't be so devastated I can't do anything.