Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 28, 1993 TAG: 9303280042
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: COLUMBIA, S.C. LENGTH: Medium
Cremins' decision to stay at Georgia Tech rather than coach his alma mater's basketball squad flabbergasted students, trustees and fans alike. The Gamecock community went into delirium last week when Cremins said he would coach South Carolina.
"I was mad this morning. USC and Columbia welcomed him with open arms, and he turned his back on us," said Grant Schooner, 19, a freshman.
As soon as the news was broadcast Saturday morning, fans flooded news organizations with phone calls, doubting what they had heard. Even Charles Simons, head of the athletics committee of the school's Board of Trustees, was stunned when he heard the news from a reporter.
"Unprecedented," was all he could muster. His wife, more stunned, said, "No, this can't be happening."
Students who rolled out of bed to hear the bad news shook their heads in disbelief.
Although they were disappointed Cremins wouldn't come back to the school where he was a star player two decades ago, many said they can forgive him for reneging.
"I can understand leaving Georgia Tech was tough. He was in for a lot of work here," said Patrick Kostell, a 22-year-old senior.
Kostell doesn't think people will be bitter toward Cremins. "Once a Gamecock, always a Gamecock," he said.
Other fans weren't so understanding. Some dismissed Cremins' explanation that he decided to stay because he didn't want to abandon Georgia Tech players.
"He just used the school as a tool to get more money out of Georgia Tech. I've lost all respect for the man," said David Abner, a 1990 graduate.
After a 9-18 season and Steve Newton's resignation as coach, some people took the news as proof that South Carolina's basketball program is cursed.
"I've been a Gamecock fan forever, and nothing goes right for them," said 28-year-old Wendy Dudley of Columbia.
Dudley said she didn't believe it when she heard the news while getting a haircut. As soon as she got out of the hairdresser's chair, she rushed to the phone to confirm it with a friend, she said.
"I'm so mad, I can barely see straight," she said.
Some fans tried to remain hopeful that South Carolina could lure a coach of Cremins' caliber. "You can't give up. Let's be optimistic," said Dan Stacey.
by CNB