Legendary Fan Ken Allen proud to be a Gamecock in the Tar Heel state By Brian Hand | Contributing writer • Photo by Allen Sharpe
K
en Allen is proud to be a Gamecock, but he is just as proud to be able to show his passion for the University of South Carolina in the Raleigh area of the Tar Heel state. Allen has been a member of the Gamecock Club for more than 40 years and served for more than 20 as the Raleigh Gamecock Club Chapter President. For his dedication to his beloved Gamecocks, Allen was honored as the Legendary Fan of the Game before South Carolina’s home game against Appalachian State. “It was wonderful and a great honor,” Allen said. “It was cold, but great. I had my two sons with me. It was really special for them to be there. It was just all very nice.” The honor was not something he was expecting, but he was extremely grateful. “I was coming back from a meeting when [Gamecock Club Executive Director] Patrick McFarland called me,” Allen said. “I was floored and just shocked. It is probably one of the biggest honors I have ever had.” The son of a World War II veteran who served in the Pacific and later worked for the Department of Defense, Allen first made his way to Gamecock Nation from Virginia in the
1970s and has been a passionate South Carolina fan ever since. Allen credits his commitment and determination to his parents, who made everything possible with a top-notch education and much more. Some of Allen’s greatest memories revolve around watching Gamecock basketball legend John Roche. He also loved watching the Gamecocks win back-to-back Outback Bowls and, of course, the baseball national titles. A two-term member of the South Carolina Board of Visitors, Allen had some of his greatest memories as a Gamecock in the Raleigh area, where he helped host and introduce Gamecock legends like Joe Morrison and George Rogers at events. The Raleigh chapter also hosted Gamecock legend Ed Pitts on numerous occasions. Joe Morrison came to Raleigh on a Friday night before a game at NC State and had dinner with all of us,” said Allen, who also served on the Gamecock Club Board of Directors. “It was something we all really enjoyed.” Allen’s commitment to promoting the University of South Carolina in the Raleigh area continues. He also has worked with the South
Carolina Alumni Association and still serves on the host committee for the Darla Moore School of Business. Raleigh may be ACC country, but Allen’s tireless efforts continue to show that the Gamecocks are loud and proud even in North Carolina.
823 LADY ST COLUMBIA, SC 6
GAMECOCK CLUB • LEGENDARY FAN
DECEMBER 2019
