Preseason Media/Photo Day
The annual Football Media Day will be held on Sunday, Aug. 9. Photos will be taken on the field beginning at 3 p.m. No interviews will be allowed on the field. Head Coach Steve Spurrier will hold a press conference beginning at approximately 3:40 p.m. in the Media Interview Room, located under the west stands at Williams-Brice Stadium. Requested players and assistant coaches will be available following Coach Spurrier's press conference in the Photographers' Media Workroom, located across the hall from the Media Interview Room.
Press Credentials
Working press credentials for the 2009 South Carolina home football games must be submitted online using the link provided on this page. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Diana Koval in the South Carolina Media Relations Department at 803-777-5204 or by e-mail. Requests for season passes should be submitted no later then Aug. 14. Requests for single games should be made as far in advance as possible and no later then seven (7) days prior to game day. Once approved, all credentials must be picked up on game day at Media Will Call, located at Gate 5 on the west side of the stadium by the press elevators. Media Will Call will open three (3) hours prior to kick-off. Credential requests should come from the sports editors and the sports directors only. A photo ID must be presented to receive the press credential. Parking passes will be mailed in advance through arrangements made with Diana Koval.
PRESS BOX PASSES
Daily newspapers will be issued a maximum of four (4) season approved press box credentials.
Web sites with a national affiliation will be issued a maximum of two (2) season approved press credentials.
Television stations based in the Columbia area will be issued a maximum of two (2) season approved press box credentials. Television stations based outside of the Columbia area will be issued a maximum of one (1) season approved press box credential.
Radio stations will be granted one (1) season approved credential per daily radio show. In addition, one (1) credential will be distributed per station for the sports director.
All other credential requests, including non-daily newspapers, magazines, out-of-market radio stations, etc. will be issued on a game-by-game, case-by-case and space available basis at the discretion of the media relations director.
Non-affiliated bloggers will not be credentialed.
Please note: Due to the high number of applications, it is not possible to accommodate all requests. No one under 18 years of age will be issued a credential without prior approval of the SID.
FIELD PASSES
Daily newspapers and Web sites with national affiliations will be issued a maximum of three (3) season field credentials to be used for either photography or videography.
Television stations based in the Columbia area will receive a maximum of two (2) field passes. Stations based outside of the Columbia area will receive one field pass.
All other credential requests, including non-daily newspapers, magazines, etc., will be issued on a game-by-game, case-by-case and space available basis.
Only working photographers/videographers with cameras will be allowed on the field.
Freelance photographers will not be credentialed.
South Carolina Sideline Policy
The University of South Carolina adheres to the NCAA and SEC guidelines regarding media representatives on the sidelines.
Photo credentials will be issued only to accredited media outlets prior to the game and photo identification must be provided. Photo credentials will not be mailed. Freelance photographers will not be issued credentials.
Photographers must check in at the Media Will Call Booth on the west side of the stadium adjacent to the press elevator. Those photographers who will work on the sidelines will be issued a vest. This vest must be worn at all times to gain access to the sidelines. No other type of photo or media credential will allow an individual access to the sidelines. The vest must be returned to a member of the South Carolina media relations staff following the game.
Photographers and videographers are not permitted to shoot between the 25-yard lines. Working photographers/videographers are permitted to shoot in the designated area (between the two marked dotted lines outside the 25-yard lines). All other media representatives on the field (announcers, reporters, etc.) must stand behind the designated area. This will ensure that photographers/videographers have the appropriate space to do their work.
Internet Sites
The University of South Carolina adheres to the SEC policies regarding representatives of websites. The official website of the home and visiting schools will be credentialed. Also, the official online service of the national over-the-air or cable television network that owns broadcast rights to the game will receive credentials. Other websites will not be credentialed unless they meet specifications outlined below:
Must be a legal corporate entity that has been in business for at least one full calendar year and has provided coverage of South Carolina or the visiting team for at least one year.
Must provide daily coverage of all athletic teams of South Carolina or the visiting team with its own staff of fulltime reporters, photographers and equipment.
Must travel to and cover all football away games and all major post-season events.
Must provide coverage of all press conferences of all athletic teams at South Carolina or the visiting team.
SEC Internet Real Time Policy
By acceptance and use of an SEC media credential, the holder agrees to the following conditions for any and all athletic events hosted by the SEC and its member institutions:
The SEC and its member institutions grant a media organization a limited license to use certain gathered information on the media organization's own Internet or online site beginning at the start of an athletic event and up to the conclusion of such event, all subject to the following limitations and conditions:
No more than 10 still photographs may be used for news coverage of the game and other editorial purposes. Such still photographs must be used on a time-delayed basis, that is at least five (5) minutes after the happening of the event depicted by the still photograph.
It is agreed that video is NOT to be used on an Internet or online site with the following stipulations:
Video may be shown as part of a single, non-archived, online "simulcast" of a television station's regularly-scheduled news program.
Footage may be broadcast or otherwise distributed on the Internet or via any other online service or computer service, using the following limitations: a maximum of three (3) minutes from Satellite Feed Footage, Practice Footage and Event Footage.
Footage may not be used, sold, traded, loaned or given away to any other entity for any sports entertainment programs, specials, home videos, commercials and promotional use or in any other manner not specifically set forth in these policies without prior expressed written permission of the Southeastern Conference or the University of South Carolina.
While a game is in progress, the use of textual statistical information is time-delayed and limited in amount (e.g., updates pertaining to score, injuries and national, conference or institutional record-breaking performances, a condensed half-time story) so that an organization's Internet or online game coverage does not undercut the authorized and rights-paying fee organization's rights to play-by-play accounts of the game and/or exclusivity as to such rights. This policy is in effect for all SEC sporting events, including championships. The limitations for football are three per quarter; one at halftime.
Any proposed media use on an Internet or online site of the game information that is more detailed and/or more than described above will require separate written authorization by the SEC and/or its member institutions. However, such written authorization will not permit the use of game information in entertainment contexts and will not authorize game coverage that, due to immediacy of detail, constitutes or approaches a play-by-play account of a game.
Should any of these conditions be breached, the SEC and/or its member institutions will issue a written warning for the first violation. A second violation of this policy will result in revocation of credentials to cover future football games hosted by the SEC and/or its member institutions.
Press Box
South Carolina features a state-of-the-art press box. This press facility has seats for 144 members of the media, along with television and radio booths, coaches' booths and public address and stadium operations/security booths. Located just above the press level is the photo deck. All members of the media covering the game are invited to a catered meal, which is served starting two hours prior to kickoff. The Carolina press box is for the working media only. In accordance with the Football Writers Association of America, no cheering will be allowed.
Satellite Truck Parking
Limited parking is available for TV station live/satellite trucks and those vehicles will need a specific pass. Please contact Diana Koval no later then Noon three days prior to the game for help in securing a parking pass.
Press Box Services
The Press Box is equipped with outside telephone lines and data jacks for electronic photo transmissions. These services are available to media members on a first-come, first served basis. In addition, the press box has wireless internet capabilities. Electrical outlets are available at each seat. There is also a photographers work room located underneath the stands on the west side of Williams-Brice Stadium with wireless internet access. Any media outlet that wishes to install its own telephone should contact South Carolina Telephone Communications at (803) 777-1800. The Media Relations Department supplies quarterly play-by-plays and quickie stats, halftime statistics, final team and individual statistics and coaches and players quotes. An inside public address announcer also keeps the media informed of play-by-play, records and game notes.
Visiting Radio
The visitor's radio network must be designated by the opponent's athletic director. Booth space will be assigned by the Media Relations Director. Any non-designated stations will be admitted on a space-available basis. The Gamecock Sports Network will be handled by Gamecock Sports Properties. Stations requesting information regarding the network should contact: Liz McMillan, Gamecock Sports Properties, (803) 777-8254.
Spotters and Statisticians
The Media Relations Department can supply radio and television broadcasters with spotters and stat personnel if notified of their needs in advance.
Postgame Interviews
The press box elevator will be held at press level with six minutes remaining in the game for anyone wanting postgame interviews. South Carolina's postgame interviews take place in the Media Interview Room, located underneath the stands on the west side of Williams-Brice Stadium. The visitors' locker room and postgame interview room are located under the West stands at the North end. The Gamecock locker room will be closed following the game. Coach Spurrier will be available in the postgame interview room approximately 10 minutes after the game. Players who have been requested to be interviewed by the media will also be brought to the interview room following the cool-down period. Admittance to postgame interviews is by credential only. The Carolina press conference will be televised live back to the press level.
SEC Weekly Teleconference
The Southeastern Conference hosts a weekly press teleconference each Wednesday from Sept. 2 through Nov. 25. The teleconference features the head coach from each team every week. Each coach issues an opening statement followed by questions from the media for seven minutes. To participate, please contact either the SEC Media Relations office at (205) 458-3010 or the school's Media Relations Department for the telephone number.
11:00 a.m. ET - Les Miles, LSU 11:10 a.m. ET - Steve Spurrier, South Carolina
11:20 a.m. ET - Urban Meyer, Florida
11:30 a.m. ET - Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt
11:40 a.m. ET - Lane Kiffin, Tennessee
11:50 a.m. ET - Nick Saban, Alabama
12:00 p.m. ET - Bobby Petrino, Arkansas
12:10 p.m. ET - Houston Nutt, Ole Miss
12:20 p.m. ET - Mark Richt, Georgia
12:30 p.m. ET - Dan Mullen, Mississippi State
12:40 p.m. ET - Gene Chizik, Auburn
12:50 p.m. ET - Rich Brooks, Kentucky
Student-Athlete Media Interview Policy
All interviews are to be coordinated through the Media Relations Department. This allows the staff to arrange the interview when it best suits the student-athlete's and the reporter's schedules. Please contact the Media Relations Department in advance to make your interview requests. Media are not permitted to contact student-athletes on their own at any time. All interviews will take place at the practice fields, in the media room underneath the west stands at Williams-Brice Stadium or in the Media Relations Department. No interviews will take place prior to practice on the practice fields. Dormitory, apartment and cell phone numbers for student-athletes will not be provided to the media. Should you need to conduct a telephone interview with a student-athlete, a call will be placed to you from the student-athlete at a mutually agreeable time.
Gameweek Media Availability
Sunday
Coach Spurrier holds a teleconference from his office at 2 p.m. (No in-person availability). No player availability.
Monday
Coach Spurrier, players and assistant coaches are available coming off the practice field. All media requests for players must be in to the Media Relations Department by 11 a.m.
Tuesday
Coach Spurrier holds a weekly press conference in the Media Interview Room, located underneath the west side stands of Williams-Brice Stadium at noon. In addition, selected players will be brought to the media room before and/or after Coach Spurrier's press conference. There is no availability after practice.
Wednesday
Coach Spurrier, players and assistant coaches are available coming off the practice field. All media requests for players must be in to the Media Relations Department by 11 a.m. Coach Spurrier is available on the SEC conference call at 11:10 a.m. ET.
Thursday
Coach Spurrier and assistant coaches are available coming off the practice field. There is no player availability after practice. Coach Spurrier's radio show is from 7-8 p.m.
Friday
Coach Spurrier and Coach Johnson are available for network television. No player availability.
Game Day
Coach Spurrier, Coach Johnson and requested players will be available in Media Interview Room underneath the west stands of Williams-Brice Stadium following home games. The locker room is closed to the media.
