Forkcock
02-02-2008, 07:27 AM
USC loses a man and his memories
By Ken Burger (http://www.charleston.net/staff/ken_burger/)(Contact (http://www.charleston.net/staff/ken_burger/contact/))
The Post and Courier
Saturday, February 2, 2008
http://media.charleston.net/img/staff/2007/ken_burger_t90.jpg
The University of South Carolina lost its memory Friday.
For more than half a century, Tom Price documented and memorized every statistic and nuance of Gamecocks athletics. He was USC's walking encyclopedia.
Although he was born in Augusta, Ga., Price grew up on nearby Wadamalaw Island and was proud of his sea-island heritage.
Unfortunately and sadly, Price passed away at the age of 81 on Friday after suffering a stroke earlier this week.
Not only did he serve as the school's sports information director from 1962-85, but he also remained a daily fixture around the athletic department and was the go-to guy for every reporter or fan who ever wondered what happened way back when.
When those questions arose the answer was always, "Tom Price will know."
And he always did.
Indeed, the first college football game Price ever witnessed was South Carolina playing The Citadel at Johnson Hagood Stadium. And he was hooked.
Forever a fan, Price went to Columbia after high school to study journalism, but his academic career was interrupted by a stint in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
He finished his degree after the war and worked as a reporter for United Press International before going to work for his alma mater in the early 1960s.
From that point on, he became the institution's official storyteller.
Labor of love
It's important to remember that things have not always been as well documented as they are today. Especially in sports.
Price was one of the pioneers, along with former Clemson SID Bob Bradley, who turned a part-time obsession into a full-time profession.
Before that era, sports stats were hit and miss. Price and his generation of publicists not only established a reliable process, but an attitude of professionalism that permeates the business to this day.
While he was not that well-known to the general public, guys like Price were revered by sports reporters because they served as an invaluable link between their schools and the media who covered the games.
In Price's case, it was a labor of love.
Chapter and verse
It was a known fact that if you wanted to know something about USC football, basketball or baseball, all you had to do was ask Tom Price.
His memory was impeccable and his knowledge vast.
But it was also a known reality that you didn't ask Tom Price a question unless you had plenty of time to listen to his answer. Because there was no such thing as a short one.
Regardless of the topic, Price could quote chapter and verse about any former Gamecocks player, coach, game and all the little-known statistics that existed in his mind and the official record books.
But his stories also included something about what the weather was like on a particular day, something about the player's personality, family members, background or girlfriend. The details were fascinating.
He was a font on information that eventually resulted in his writing several books on USC sports and having his name forever listed in various athletic halls of fame.
But his lasting memory will be that of a public relations man with a newspaperman's heart; a gentle man we will all miss dearly. Mostly when someone turns and says, just ask Tom.
Reach Ken Burger at 937-5598 or kburger@postandcourier.com (kburger@postandcourier.com).
By Ken Burger (http://www.charleston.net/staff/ken_burger/)(Contact (http://www.charleston.net/staff/ken_burger/contact/))
The Post and Courier
Saturday, February 2, 2008
http://media.charleston.net/img/staff/2007/ken_burger_t90.jpg
The University of South Carolina lost its memory Friday.
For more than half a century, Tom Price documented and memorized every statistic and nuance of Gamecocks athletics. He was USC's walking encyclopedia.
Although he was born in Augusta, Ga., Price grew up on nearby Wadamalaw Island and was proud of his sea-island heritage.
Unfortunately and sadly, Price passed away at the age of 81 on Friday after suffering a stroke earlier this week.
Not only did he serve as the school's sports information director from 1962-85, but he also remained a daily fixture around the athletic department and was the go-to guy for every reporter or fan who ever wondered what happened way back when.
When those questions arose the answer was always, "Tom Price will know."
And he always did.
Indeed, the first college football game Price ever witnessed was South Carolina playing The Citadel at Johnson Hagood Stadium. And he was hooked.
Forever a fan, Price went to Columbia after high school to study journalism, but his academic career was interrupted by a stint in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
He finished his degree after the war and worked as a reporter for United Press International before going to work for his alma mater in the early 1960s.
From that point on, he became the institution's official storyteller.
Labor of love
It's important to remember that things have not always been as well documented as they are today. Especially in sports.
Price was one of the pioneers, along with former Clemson SID Bob Bradley, who turned a part-time obsession into a full-time profession.
Before that era, sports stats were hit and miss. Price and his generation of publicists not only established a reliable process, but an attitude of professionalism that permeates the business to this day.
While he was not that well-known to the general public, guys like Price were revered by sports reporters because they served as an invaluable link between their schools and the media who covered the games.
In Price's case, it was a labor of love.
Chapter and verse
It was a known fact that if you wanted to know something about USC football, basketball or baseball, all you had to do was ask Tom Price.
His memory was impeccable and his knowledge vast.
But it was also a known reality that you didn't ask Tom Price a question unless you had plenty of time to listen to his answer. Because there was no such thing as a short one.
Regardless of the topic, Price could quote chapter and verse about any former Gamecocks player, coach, game and all the little-known statistics that existed in his mind and the official record books.
But his stories also included something about what the weather was like on a particular day, something about the player's personality, family members, background or girlfriend. The details were fascinating.
He was a font on information that eventually resulted in his writing several books on USC sports and having his name forever listed in various athletic halls of fame.
But his lasting memory will be that of a public relations man with a newspaperman's heart; a gentle man we will all miss dearly. Mostly when someone turns and says, just ask Tom.
Reach Ken Burger at 937-5598 or kburger@postandcourier.com (kburger@postandcourier.com).