The recognition for the South Carolina Gamecocks and Gamecocks Nation keeps rolling in as we get closer to the 2025 college football season. While LaNorris Sellers was announced to the early Maxwell Award watchlist, Shane Beamer's rise in SEC head coach rankings, and more, even Williams-Brice Stadium is getting in on the attention.
When it comes to the loudest houses, people think of Ohio Stadium for the Ohio State Buckeyes, or the Big House for Michigan, maybe even Bryant–Denny Stadium for Alabama. However, On3 has shown that by decibel levels, these teams don't even make the Top 10 loudest stadiums by this metric. One of these stadiums is on the Top 10 list? Williams-Brice Stadium for the Gamecocks.
Anyone who has been to Williams-Brice Stadium, or "Willy B", knows that this place is rocking one Gamecock football game day, especially if they're at night. From the best intro in college football (2001), too Cocky in the Cockaboose, and yes, when Darude's "Sandstorm" gets pumping, there is no place like Williams-Brice.
The BEST intro in college football.
— South Carolina Football (@GamecockFB) November 19, 2023
Uncut, unedited, and incredible. pic.twitter.com/GL8MI9KaX0
Per decibel levels, Williams-Brice comes in ranked at number 3 according to On3's metric. They were clocked in at a 133.6dB level, tied with Washington's Husky Stadium. Coming in at the number one spot is Neyland Stadium, home of the Tennessee Volunteers, which had a 137dB level. Overall, not bad to see Williams-Brice come in .4dB of the number one spot in all of college football for loudest stadium by decibel level.
Other stadiums that were listed in the Top 10 were Memorial Stadium (Clemson - 132.8), Tiger stadium (LSU - 130), Autzen Stadium (Oregon - 127), Lane Stadium (Virginia Tech - 126.2), Kyle Field (Texas A&M - 126), Beaver Stadium (Penn State - 122), and Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Florida - 115). It's good to see that the Gamecocks have the third, technically tied, second loudest stadium in college football, and second within the SEC. Seeing them ahead of Texas A&M, LSU, and Florida within the Top 10 alone shows how USC fans get after it.
Furthermore, to put themselves ahead of Death Valley and "Death Valley Lite" shows that teams cannot take going into Williams-Brice for granted. It is a fortress and has been growing as one of the toughest places to play at since Shane Beamer took over as head ball coach. If we roll the clock back, ever since the Gamecocks beat fourth ranked Ole Miss in 2009, along with the birth of Sandstorm, Williams-Brice has been one big rave after another over the years.
It's good to see not only the coaches and the players get some recognition, but Williams-Brice Stadium for being underrated as one of the loudest, and hardest places to play in college football. Expect the same, plus more, this 2025 season as the Gamecocks look to punch their ticket to the College Football Playoffs in Beamer's fifth season.