Benedict's CW Johnson stadium is inadequate for 4A/5A Championship games

[SF Band dad]

The traffic pattern is a nightmare, collecting parking fees slows everything down, the visitor's side is too small.

Clemson, Coastal Carolina and the Citadel are in the corners of the state and too far for some teams. USC wants too much $$ to host the games.....

I think the logical choice is SCSU's O.C. Dawson stadium. It is twice the capacity of Benedict, and has seating sections in both end-zones if the vistors need more seating.

[Penguin]

3A as well. The home side is adequate, but the visitor's side is not. No free handicapped parking. WTF is that about? I thought that it was state law to furnish no fee handicapped parking. Traffic is a nightmare because of the location and lack of proper roads in and out of that area. Don't really have an answer, but that isn't working out.

[Greerfan1]

You're exactly right, I personally would love to see the game's back at Clemson, but I know that will never happen again.

[Penguin]

You're exactly right, I personally would love to see the game's back at Clemson, but I know that will never happen again.

The Shitadel is a much better option. A whole lot closer for Beaufort.

[Blister]

Playing at Benedict is a joke in various ways. To begin with what kid grows up dreaming of playing in a high school state championship game in such a facility. And they see their neighbors in North Carolina playing in the big D1 stadiums. Same with basketball. North Carolina kids playing in the Smith Center, while the kids from SC have the thrill of playing at the odd location of USC-Aiken. Everything ought to be played in Columbia. They have the facilities that should be used, and a central location for everyone in the state. If USC wants too high a fee as has been rumored, then pressure needs to be brought to beat as our tax dollars fund that university. But that doesn’t overlook the fact that we all know Jerome, and his minions, will always opt for the easiest way out, no matter the result

[bringthewood]

The big problem is the parking at the fair grounds. That is not owned by USC.

[HoodRoad]

3A as well. The home side is adequate, but the visitor's side is not. No free handicapped parking. WTF is that about? I thought that it was state law to furnish no fee handicapped parking. Traffic is a nightmare because of the location and lack of proper roads in and out of that area. Don't really have an answer, but that isn't working out.

They had free handicapped parking it was just a few hundred yards away LMAO! You're correct though, what a joke. Here's the problem...the SCHSL. We got there around 2:30 and fed our boys at the stadium. The stadium workers told us how to get in and out once we came back from dinner. Problem is those workers were only there for the stadium. The SCHSL took control over the parking. ticketing, etc. Total crap show as usual. I'm pretty sure if the normal staff that works their would've had it running smoothly. The parking attendant even barked at us "They don't decide we do. We're in charge of this event, not Benedict."

I walked up on our DL Coach having a complete come apart on a parking attendant because he grandfather couldn't walk from the parking area yet they blocked off the spots behind the stadium. I told him to worry about getting the team ready and we'd get his GPa in the stadium. Called my buddy in line, said hey man ask the parking guy a few questions or act like you don't understand his directions. Guy walked off, I motioned a car to pass like I was trying to cross the road, stopped that guy for a chit chat meaningless few seconds so my daughter could wave the coaches family vehicle up to the stadium and let him out. Problem solved. Parking guy came back like "Umm what's going on!?!" I laughed and said "Hey man I'm not sure but there's all kind of cars out here" walked away laughing my tail off. Big jerk.

[Fortfor5]

The big problem is the parking at the fair grounds. That is not owned by USC.

It sits empty while you walk a mile .rolled my ankle on janke sidewalk roughed it out. Never again.
Better off parking two miles out and catching a Uber.

[Penguin]

3A as well. The home side is adequate, but the visitor's side is not. No free handicapped parking. WTF is that about? I thought that it was state law to furnish no fee handicapped parking. Traffic is a nightmare because of the location and lack of proper roads in and out of that area. Don't really have an answer, but that isn't working out.

They had free handicapped parking it was just a few hundred yards away LMAO! You're correct though, what a joke. Here's the problem...the SCHSL. We got there around 2:30 and fed our boys at the stadium. The stadium workers told us how to get in and out once we came back from dinner. Problem is those workers were only there for the stadium. The SCHSL took control over the parking. ticketing, etc. Total crap show as usual. I'm pretty sure if the normal staff that works their would've had it running smoothly. The parking attendant even barked at us "They don't decide we do. We're in charge of this event, not Benedict."

I walked up on our DL Coach having a complete come apart on a parking attendant because he grandfather couldn't walk from the parking area yet they blocked off the spots behind the stadium. I told him to worry about getting the team ready and we'd get his GPa in the stadium. Called my buddy in line, said hey man ask the parking guy a few questions or act like you don't understand his directions. Guy walked off, I motioned a car to pass like I was trying to cross the road, stopped that guy for a chit chat meaningless few seconds so my daughter could wave the coaches family vehicle up to the stadium and let him out. Problem solved. Parking guy came back like "Umm what's going on!?!" I laughed and said "Hey man I'm not sure but there's all kind of cars out here" walked away laughing my tail off. Big jerk.

In 2021, when Beaufort were the vistors, we were able to park right behind the stadium where the vendors are located. That was the handicapped parking, and it was free. This year, in 2022, when we were on the home side, the handicapped parking was about 500 yards from the main gate, and required a payment.I argued with the people at the entrance, but they said that EVERYONE had to pay. Seems to me like the SCHSL was on a money-grab. The crowd for the 3A game was amazing. Powdersville filled the vistor's side, and Beaufort had a tremendous crowd.

[SF Band dad]

Football Stadium capacity (I found these numbers on the internet, so they must be true.)

81,500 Clemson
80,250 USC
22,000 SC State
21,000 The Citadel
20,000 Coastal Carolina
13,000 Wofford
12,000 Spring Valley HS
11,000 Benedict
10,000 Dorman HS