Share your memories of the Black Magic year of 1984! ***
- Thread starter Freddie.B.Cocky
- Start date
I was 7 years old that year growing up in Irmo. My dad was a '75 Carolina grad and had always followed the football team but he turned into a rabid fan after that season as I recall. That's when I became a huge fan-watching the passion in my father. He had the JoeMo Carolina in cursive hat. He was listening to every game on the radio (Bob Fulton was the voice) or watching the few on TV. He attended a few games that season as well (we got season tickets a few years later). My parents went the Gator Bowl that season to watch us play Oklahoma State. I would go to my first bowl game in '87 when we played LSU. I also have a collection of small Gamecock items from that '84 season (somewhere) including the State paper page that had a photo and recap of every game.
I sat on The Hill at Clemson. Greatest Carolina vs Clemson game I've ever seen in person.
The Navy game still haunts me though.
The Navy game still haunts me though.
Not gonna lie, I was 6 years old & have some memories, but that dang Navy game trumps 'em all. Vividly recall Nebraska losing that day & everyone saying we'd be #1 on Sunday, then the worst day in Carolina sports happened. Sorry to be negative in what should be a positive thread, but that game jumps out to me way more than any of the sweet wins, & there were many of those.
I know the youngsters like to throw out 'the loudest its ever been man!!!', but I can attest as one who has seen all of the 'loudest' games, including 87 Clemson, the Florida State game of 84 is the king. I was thirty years old and could neither hear nor talk into the next day.
The Navy and Oklahoma State games that year sort of ruined that season for me. "Success" is a double edged sword and is why I just enjoy the drama and storylines of each individual season rather than banking my self esteem on the fortunes of my football team.
The Navy and Oklahoma State games that year sort of ruined that season for me. "Success" is a double edged sword and is why I just enjoy the drama and storylines of each individual season rather than banking my self esteem on the fortunes of my football team.
I have no memorabilia from that year, but I still remember the strange looks I got when I wore my "Black Death" (circa 1987) t-shirt to the gym in 1988. 
Here's a random one: My oldest brother was wearing his "Black Magic" hat and he opened the front door and there was an elderly lady there from our church who was wanting to see our mom. She wasn't home and the lady left but before doing so she looked at my brother's hat and told him he shouldn't be wearing it since "Black Magic" was occultic and Satanic. Still chuckle about that...
I was 10 years old. My dad was a 1973 grad and we were all Gamecock fans, but never even dreamt of going to a game because Saturdays were meant mostly for work on remodeling projects around our house or some other work and going to football games was what "rich" people did. lol. I listened to every game on the Radio (and watched the very few that were on TV). I remember watching the Notre Dame game on TV in our living room and my dad came in from bush-hogging a field to actually watch that entire game. Previously whenever I had a game on the radio, or TV, it was mostly my obsession and he would only take a passing interest in it - never let it stop him from doing whatever project he had going on. That was the first time I remember him really get into a game, yelling at the TV, whooping it up when Carolina scored, and that type of thing. It was an awesome day.
And, of course, I remember watching the FSU game in that same living room with the whole family. FSU gave us a near-annual stomping and were becoming one of the most exciting teams in the country, so watching us dominate that game was a surreal experience. I don't think any team in the country would have beaten us that night and I would have sworn after that game that we were going to go on to win the national championship.
And, of course, I remember watching the FSU game in that same living room with the whole family. FSU gave us a near-annual stomping and were becoming one of the most exciting teams in the country, so watching us dominate that game was a surreal experience. I don't think any team in the country would have beaten us that night and I would have sworn after that game that we were going to go on to win the national championship.
My memory is fuzzy because I was 4. My family was at another Families house in the same neighborhood watching the famous Navy game. Carolina games were basically a block party for the neighborhood. Growing up in the 1980s was a special time.
I remember my father’s disappointment at the end and everyone was shocked and in disbelief like they were at a funeral. The families whose house we were watching from were Clemson fans so they were LOL’ing.
I just understood that the loss was a big deal based off the adults reactions. So that short 3 minute memory of after the game stuck with me.
I remember my father’s disappointment at the end and everyone was shocked and in disbelief like they were at a funeral. The families whose house we were watching from were Clemson fans so they were LOL’ing.
I just understood that the loss was a big deal based off the adults reactions. So that short 3 minute memory of after the game stuck with me.
Last edited:
Get unlimited access today.