9-11 Caring Carolina

Lou Holtz

Much More Than A Gamecock

    Lou Holtz, the USC football coach, has had many experiences since September 11, 2001. Coach Holtz hopped into the cockpit of an armed F-16 jet Friday, September 24, 2001. Holtz did it to show support for the U.S. Military. Along with Holtz was Gov. Jim Hodges and USC’s Athletic Director, Mike McGee.

    The USC coach wore the tan desert flight suit of the 9^th Air Force that he received in May during a USO tour of airbases in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.  These bases could be used for any U.S. strikes in southwest Asia. Holtz had dog tags that read: 

Blood type – Garnet / Black

Religion – Gamecocks

    He said, "Sometimes our citizens have a tendency to take the military for granted." He met with the pilots and crewmembers of the 20^th Fighter Wing. He stated how those people face an uncertain future and how all we can do is show support. The 20^th Fight Wing has received deployment orders in the war on terrorism. Their airmen and women were being processed for an undisclosed mission overseas. We need them to go on this mission knowing that they have 100 percent support.

    Holtz stated, "You have to have some priorities. The football games are very important for a lot of reasons, but it isn’t a matter of life and death." Holtz also stated, "What people are dealing with there is a matter of life and death. Not just for the military personnel, but also for everyone in the country."

    F-16 pilot Capt. Jack Sire said, "It is nice to know what we do is appreciated." He said to see the governor and Holtz walk by was a motivation.

    The day was special to athletics director, Mike McGee. His son, Lt. Col. Michael McGee, is a 9^th Air Force operations officer who is based at Shaw. McGee stated, "The University of South Carolina has a special feeling for military." McGee also said that USC would hold a ceremony prior to the game against Alabama. During the ceremony, September 11^th victims from the New York and Washington, D.C. attacks were remembered. Also at halftime USC saluted all the rescue workers, state police and firefighters. McGee said how we rarely honored our firefighters and police, until the events on September 11^th, "we didn’t always really appreciate what they do for everyone."

   Yes, Coach Holtz is much more than a great coach, from this you can see he is a wonderful person too.  He took time out of his busy coaching day, recruiting, practicing, and getting ready for the next game to lift the spirits of military personnel in South Carolina.  Thank you Coach Holtz for going the extra mile for SC servicemen and women.  Coach Holtz's blood runs red, white, and blue too!