Corso jabs may scare off ESPN
By SETH EMERSON -
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If ESPN’s “GameDay” returns to Columbia, and that appears to be a big if, it would make for good theater.
When South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier called out announcer Chris Fowler on Tuesday for misquoting him, it was the latest salvo in what has been an occasional feud since Spurrier was hired three years ago.
Now the South Carolina athletics department is trying to have some fun at the expense of ESPN analyst Lee Corso. But Corso and Fowler do not appear amused.
Fowler expressed concern that USC has started a Web site called letsshowcorso.com, where fans can “throw” footballs at a likeness of Corso. Gamecock fans have been mad at Corso since the former coach declared Spurrier never would win an SEC title at South Carolina, “even if he coaches here 400 years.”
Corso declined to comment on the Web site, although he said Saturday on the air he would not “dignify it with a response.”
Fowler, the lead announcer on “GameDay,” backed his broadcast partner.
“I’m a little puzzled (about) the approach (of) marketing the team by attacking Lee,” Fowler said. “I don’t speak for him at all. But I think (Corso’s) reaction to the campaign was pretty evident if you saw the show.”
The issue could have an impact on whether “GameDay” returns to Columbia. Fowler wanted to make clear the show has had good experiences here. “Gameday” has originated from Columbia four times: in 2001 (vs. Florida), 2004 (Georgia), 2005 (Central Florida) and 2006 (Tennessee).
“I don’t speak for what that would mean for the likelihood of ‘GameDay’ coming there. But I can tell you it doesn’t increase the chances,” Fowler said. “If South Carolina continues to win games, it will always be on the radar for game shows. But it would be a consideration, to go somewhere the show has been targeted.”
USC athletics director Eric Hyman said the jabbing at Corso was meant in good fun. Since the Web site went up less than two weeks ago, it has received more than 300,000 hits, and Hyman said about 25,000 have tossed a virtual football at Corso.
The school will show a new video during Saturday night’s game against South Carolina State. Hyman said it would provide “balance” but did not provide more specifics. A marketing and fundraising video that included clips of Corso was played before the Louisiana-Lafayette game.
“Did South Carolina, when (Corso) made some of the comments he made, did we return it?” Hyman said. “It’s fun, it’s an enjoyment.”
Hyman said he did not talk with ESPN before putting up the site, and he hasn’t since. It was conceived and created by USC and an outside marketing company that Hyman said included USC alums and members of the Gamecock Club.
The Web site features video of Corso making his declaration two years ago, during a “Game Day” broadcast in Columbia, that Spurrier would not be able to recruit well enough at South Carolina to beat certain teams. As Corso mentions Tennessee, Florida and Clemson, video is shown of USC beating each team the past two years.
The site does not generate money, as it is free and does not include advertisements, but it is part of the athletics department’s fundraising campaign..
“We’ve already shown Corso we can beat Tennessee, Florida, Arkansas and a lot of other good teams,” Spurrier says on the site. “We’ve already shown Corso we can recruit, No. 4 in the nation by ESPN.com. Now let’s show we can build the facilities that are necessary. Let’s show my pal Lee Corso we can win the SEC championship.”
Spurrier also got in a dust-up with the “GameDay” crew over Saturday’s broadcast. He was peeved that Fowler misquoted him — which Fowler apologized for — and noted Corso and Kirk Herbstreit picked “a pretty lopsided” win for Georgia, according to Spurrier.
Fowler, who did not make a prediction on the game, called it “an impressive win” for the Gamecocks.
As for a potential return trip to Columbia, the Nov. 10 game against Florida looms as a possibility.
“We’ve always had really enjoyable experiences down there,” Fowler said. “But we won’t knowingly walk into a hate-fest.”
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