Let's Have Them Pay For Your Injuries!

Personal Injury Attorney in Rock Hill, SC

Accidents can happen suddenly, catching even the most prepared person off guard. One minute, you may be strolling to a restaurant after a long day at work, and the next minute, someone else's carelessness can change your life forever. Personal injury victims not only endure negligence but also experience pain and worry about their families and ability to work. Often, these victims cannot afford to focus on work and family when they're injured or even clinging to life in an ER. Without a personal injury attorney in Rock Hill, SC, to fight for their rights, these same victims provide official statements by mistake to insurance companies. They accept embarrassingly low settlement offers without realizing that they deserve much more.

If you've been hurt in an accident recently, ask yourself these questions:

Now that you're injured, what happens next?
How am I going to pay for my stay at the hospital?
Am I going to get fired because I've missed work?
How will I be able to become independent again after this serious injury?

With 30.21 personal injury cases for every 100,000 residents in South Carolina - 217% higher than the national average - it's not surprising that men and women like you are asking the questions above. At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our hearts hurt for victims who are suffering needlessly.

Because, at the end of the day, they're not just hurting physically. They're struggling to make ends meet due to the cost of car repairs, medical bills, doctor's appointments, and loss of income. Fortunately, personal injury laws in South Carolina state that the parties found responsible for your suffering and pain must account for your expenses. With a personal injury lawyer by your side, you have a real shot at getting the compensation you deserve.

Your Local Personal Injury Attorney
Max Sparwasser: A Personal Injury Lawyer in Rock Hill, SC You Can Trust
Injured in a Car Wreck? It's Time to Fight for Your Rights
The Truth About Insurance Companies and Car Accidents in South Carolina
Trust the Max Sparwasser Law Firm Difference
Worker's Compensation Personal Injury

Service Areas

Max Sparwasser: A Personal Injury Lawyer in Rock Hill, SC You Can Trust

If you've been injured in an accident in South Carolina, you have the right to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. If the insurance company doesn't offer a fair settlement, consider speaking with our Rock Hill personal injury lawyer.

At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our goal is to help accident victims in South Carolina recover the maximum amount for their losses, including damages for pain and suffering. Unlike some personal injury law firms, our expert attorneys know that no two cases are ever exactly the same. That's why we take a personalized approach to each case that comes across our desk.

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You can rest easy knowing that your personal injury case starts with a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. During this initial meeting, we'll review your accident, determine liability, and recommend the best legal course of action for you. Max Sparwasser and his team focus on a range of personal injury categories, including the following:

Car Accidents

Workers' Compensation

Slip & Fall

Dog Bites

Wrongful Death

Trucking Accidents

Why Choose The Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC?

Injured victims choose Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC because we put our clients' needs first.

We Work for You

Max dedicates focused attention to your claim and is confident that once you've met and talked to him, you will feel comfortable entrusting him with your personal injury case.

Seasoned Personal Injury Lawyer

Your case is going to be handled personally by Max, properly and professionally. NO FEES are collected unless you are paid benefits.

Personalized Attention

Now that you know a little bit more about our personal injury law firm and how we take care of our clients, let's take a look at two of the most common types of personal injury cases we take: Car accidents and workers' compensation.

As an experienced personal injury attorney, Max has the right training and legal tools to assist with your compensation claims and your personal injury case as a whole.

Injured in a Car Wreck? It's Time to Fight for Your Rights

If you've ever been in a minor fender bender, you know how frustrating and scary it can be when police are called and insurance companies get involved. Dinging a car is one thing, but a full-on car wreck is a completely different story. A car accident in Rock Hill can result in significant expenses such as vehicle damage and medical costs.

If a distracted driver kills your loved one, the impact on your family can be profound and long-lasting. Survivors of car accidents often experience emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other challenges that alter their quality of life. In the face of these life-changing events, aggressive representation from a personal injury attorney in Rock Hill, SC, can maximize your chances of winning your case.

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The Truth About Insurance Companies and Car Accidents in South Carolina

Here's an uncomfortable truth to digest: Insurance companies often aim to pay out as little as possible. Fortunately, you can protect yourself from their tactics by getting the right legal support for your personal injury claim.

When you report a crash to an insurer, they'll assign an adjuster to your case. However, these adjusters deal with many cases and may not fully understand yours. If an insurance claims adjuster contacts you, be cautious. They aren't looking out for your best interests. It's common for adjusters to push for settlements that undervalue your claim.

Stick to the facts if you talk to an adjuster and refuse to provide a recorded statement or agree to any settlement. Instead, wait until you've consulted with a personal injury attorney. At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our team of car accident lawyers will assess the true worth of your claim and protect you from being taken advantage of by insurance companies.

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The Truth About Insurance Companies and Car Accidents in South Carolina

When you hire a personal injury attorney in Rock Hill, SC, from Max Sparwasser Law Firm, you don't have to know all our state's car crash and insurance laws. We have the expertise, knowledge, and resources to handle any case related to a car accident in the Lowcountry. Our long-time car accident attorneys can handle the legal proceedings for you and provide you with peace of mind during negotiations. With that said, we understand that the more you know about South Carolina's car wreck laws, the better you can safeguard your rights after an accident.

As such, here are three car wreck laws in South Carolina you should understand:

It's important to keep in mind that there's a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim in South Carolina. Typically, you need to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another party within three years of the car accident. However, there are certain cases that require action within two years. If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the specified deadline, you may forfeit your right to make a claim permanently.

Like many other states, South Carolina operates under a "fault" insurance system. This system holds the driver responsible for covering the damages of the injured party if they are at fault for the accident.

If you are in a car accident and it leads to a personal injury claim due to negligence, the court needs to determine that you (the plaintiff) are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible, you will lose your right to seek compensation. However, if you are 50% or less at fault, you will receive at least some compensation. Your award will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.

The Role of Negligence in South Carolina

When drivers take the wheel, they bear the responsibility of being careful and attentive to their surroundings. This means watching out for other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users. However, if a driver chooses to text, eat, or talk on the phone while driving, they are failing to do so and are behaving negligently.

Negligence involves acting carelessly, resulting in harm or damage. Other examples of negligence include:

Running Red Lights
Speeding
Failure to Yield
Distracted Driving

DUI
Improper Lane Change
Much More

If you've been in a car accident and need help understanding our local laws or the role of negligence in your case, schedule your free claim assessment with the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, today. The sooner you know your rights and file a claim, the sooner our lawyers can advocate on your behalf. Our accident lawyers will uphold your best interests despite pushback from insurance companies and the complex legal system in South Carolina.

Workers' Compensation Claims in South Carolina Explained

While South Carolina's workplace incidence rate was lower than the national average in 2020, tens of thousands of workers were reportedly injured on the job. In fact, private employers in South Carolina reported 29,100 nonfatal injuries and illnesses, resulting in an incident rate of 2.1 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. In 2021, the private sector reported 30,300 such injuries and illnesses, leading to an incidence rate of 2.2 cases per 100 workers, many of whom hired.

Public sector employers reported 8,100 injury and illness cases in 2021, with 72 percent occurring among local government workers. Occupational illness trends in South Carolina mirrored those seen nationwide. In 2020, the private sector accounted for 4,200 of the total reported cases, and 3,100 in 2021, showing a 26 percent decline.

Respiratory illnesses made up 79 percent of the total occupational illnesses reported in South Carolina in 2020. In 2021, 89.8 percent of private industry recorded incidents were injuries.

Personal injury attorneys in Rock Hill, SC, fought some of the state's biggest employers in court, including brands such as:

Volvo
BMW
College of Rock Hill
Boeing

Medical University of South Carolina
Kapstone
Roper Hospital
Rober Bosch Corporation

While there is no single federal law governing workers' compensation, every state in the U.S. has its own workers' compensation system. This program provides financial benefits to employees who experience job-related injuries or illnesses. Typically, an injured worker can receive workers' compensation benefits without needing to prove their employer's negligence. In exchange, the employee forfeits the right to file a personal injury claim against the employer.

Under the state workers' comp system, an injured employee will be reimbursed for all necessary medical treatment following a workplace accident. If the injury or illness leads to more than seven days of missed work, the employee will receive 66.66% of their average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount. Workers may also receive compensation for permanent disabilities or disfigurement. The maximum award for death or total disability is 500 weeks of compensation.

Lifetime benefits are available in cases of paraplegia, quadriplegia, and brain injury. It should be noted that trying to

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Who Can Receive Workers' Comp Benefits in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, most employees are eligible for workers' compensation benefits if they suffer an injury or illness while working. Employees don't need to prove fault; they just need to prove that the injury or illness happened at work or during a work-related activity. Unfortunately, there are exceptions under the SC State Workers' Compensation Act, meaning some employers never qualify for workers' compensation.

Those restrictions apply to:

Federal Employees
Small Businesses with Three or Less Employees
Agricultural Employees
Casual Employees
Some Realtors
Corporate Officers
Railroad Workers

Employers who fall under the SC State Workers' Compensation Act must maintain the required minimum amounts of workers' comp insurance. If you're trying to pick up the pieces after being injured at work, contact the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC today. Our personal injury attorneys will work tirelessly to get you the help you need to rebuild your life.

Top Reasons to Hire a Worker's Compensation Personal Injury Attorney in Rock Hill, SC

Many injured workers assume they can save money by foregoing a personal injury attorney to oversee their workers' comp claim. In reality, many plaintiffs lose money - or don't get the proper amount they're owed - when they choose not to hire a lawyer. If you were recently injured at work and are on the fence about retaining counsel for your case, keep these facts in mind.

To safeguard your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation, injured individuals must file a workers' compensation claim. Unfortunately, many people come up with reasons why they shouldn't file a claim before determining whether their claim is valid.

Some of the most common reasons for doing so include:

Reporting the Injury to Management and Continuing to Work
Having an Existing Condition
Fear Over Job Termination

You should know that making the decisions above doesn't necessarily disqualify you from making a workers' comp claim. That's why it's so important to work with an experienced workers' compensation lawyer. Great workers' comp attorneys - like those at the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC - thoroughly assess your case and help determine whether you have a valid claim for workers' compensation benefits.

Here's a safely kept secret in the insurance industry: Skilled workers' compensation lawyers create risk. Insurance companies hate risk because it exposes them and causes them to lose money. An experienced workers' compensation lawyer takes on risk by developing the best strategy to maximize your benefits and gathering evidence that will be admissible in a hearing.

Do you truly understand the benefits you're entitled to? Do you know what you need to prove in order to win? Do you know how to effectively present that evidence? This can be quite complex, even for attorneys, which is why an injured employee alone doesn't pose much of a threat to the insurance company. That's why professional help from a qualified attorney is essential in workers' comp cases.

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Trust the Max Sparwasser Law Firm Difference

Whether you have been injured in a car accident, hurt at work, or are struggling with another type of personal injury situation, know that our team is here to help. Our personal injury attorneys in Rock Hill, SC are insurance claims experts and know how to negotiation and achieve maximum financial compensation. The best part? We take all cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay us unless we win. That's the Max Sparwasser Law Firm difference. Contact our office today to learn more about personal injury cases in South Carolina and whether or not you have a valid claim.

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A downtown Rock Hill speakeasy is about to open. Here’s what you need to know to get in

A long-awaited speakeasy in downtown Rock Hill will open next week.Visit York County announced Elsie’s at Kounter will open Dec. 13. The 135 E. Main St. spot downtown is part of the Kounter restaurant and food group started by Rock Hill native Rob Masone.The 900-square-foot speakeasy named for Masone’s grandmother w...

A long-awaited speakeasy in downtown Rock Hill will open next week.

Visit York County announced Elsie’s at Kounter will open Dec. 13. The 135 E. Main St. spot downtown is part of the Kounter restaurant and food group started by Rock Hill native Rob Masone.

The 900-square-foot speakeasy named for Masone’s grandmother will seat almost 50 people and have a counter bar with more than a dozen seats. It’ll have a street-front bodega, an entry “hidden” by a concealed door in the cheese shop and a secret code word for entrance (it’ll be on social media or at the restaurant next door).

Elsie’s will have a to-go charcuterie and second-level private event space, the latter opening in the spring. Elsie’s transforms 3,000 square feet of space previously used by an investment banking company.

“We’ve focused on creating a truly unexpected experience,” Masone said in Thursday’s announcement.

Elsie’s will have 50 annual memberships. Members will have personalized decanters displayed on a wall, private access at certain times and invitations to special events.

Elsie’s will have cocktails and non-alcoholic options. Small-bite sweets will be served, too.

Masone announced plans for a new speakeasy last year. It’s the latest project for the former South Carolina Chef Ambassador. Masone opened Kounter in late 2020 at the site of the 1961 Friendship Nine sit-in. One of Rock Hill’s prominent civil rights landmarks, the restaurant still recognizes the time when Black Friendship College students were denied service and arrested after they refused to leave.

Masone has won multiple regional awards during his run in Rock Hill, while operating a food truck, catering and event businesses. He’s been part of several events promoting restaurant week or tourism efforts for eateries across York County.

Masone also temporarily closed Kounter after Hurricane Helene while his team went to North Carolina to feed line workers there to restore power.

This story was originally published December 5, 2024, 1:21 PM.

The Herald

803-329-4076

John Marks graduated from Furman University in 2004 and joined the Herald in 2005. He covers community growth, municipalities, transportation and education mainly in York County and Lancaster County. The Fort Mill native earned dozens of South Carolina Press Association awards and multiple McClatchy President’s Awards for news coverage in Fort Mill and Lake Wylie.

High school football gameday: What to expect in Rock Hill area’s three playoff games

Three teams from the Greater Rock Hill area are just one step away from playing for state championships in football. They will play Friday night for Upper State regional championships.A season that started 3 1/2 months ago in 95-degree heat has advanced to the state semifinals, with temperatures likely near freezing by the end of Friday’s games.Here’s a look at what to expect:Gaffney (10-1) at Northwestern (12-0), Class 5A/Division 2 Upper State final, 7:30 p.m. — How about a traditional Upstate ...

Three teams from the Greater Rock Hill area are just one step away from playing for state championships in football. They will play Friday night for Upper State regional championships.

A season that started 3 1/2 months ago in 95-degree heat has advanced to the state semifinals, with temperatures likely near freezing by the end of Friday’s games.

Here’s a look at what to expect:

Gaffney (10-1) at Northwestern (12-0), Class 5A/Division 2 Upper State final, 7:30 p.m. — How about a traditional Upstate rivalry to settle the region’s football championship? These teams have met 17 times over the past two decades, with Northwestern winning 10 times, including 49-24 last season, when QB Finley Polk threw for 228 yards.

Gaffney has played on the edge this season. The Indians have won three times in overtime, and six of their games have been decided by a touchdown or less. QB Jayvon Gilmore has thrown for 2.086 yards, but Gaffney doesn’t have a running back with more than 414 yards this season. Then again, RB Jaiden McDowell carried for 101 yards last season against Northwestern, and he’s back this year.

Polk is just 55 yards away from reaching 3,000 for the season, with Jayden Nichols (61 catches, 871 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Kameron Vance (52 catches, 794 yards, 12 touchdowns) as his chief targets. And RB Zymier Gordon-Miles has passed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season.

South Pointe (11-2) at Westside (12-0), Class 4A Upper State final, 7:30 p.m. — So football fans across the state know about South Pointe RB Mason Pickett-Hicks, who ran for 485 yards last Friday and has 2,425 rushing yards for the season. And many of them know about QB Cam McMillon, who has thrown for more than 2,500 yards despite missing time with an injury. But the Stallion defense has been outstanding, averaging 12 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks a contest.

Then again, Anderson’s Westside is the defending 4A state champion, and the Rams have won 26 in a row. Their air game is outstanding, with QB Cutter Woods (a South Carolina commit) throwing for nearly 2,900 yards, with 36 touchdowns to just three interceptions. Defensively, Westside allowed an average of 19 points a game in the regular season, but the Rams have cut that to 5.3 per contest in the playoffs.

Lewisville (12-1) at Abbeville (11-1), Class 1A Upper State final, 7:30 p.m. — Lewisville has rolled over its playoff competition, but things get very difficult this week. Abbeville has surrendered points this season, so Lewisville QB Zach Rogers, RB Jordan Strong and company will want to keep the ball as much as possible. The Lions’ defense, which has scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery return in each of the last three playoff games, faces a big test.

The host Panthers have won eight state championships in the last 14 years and are 126-10-1 since 2015, all of that under 21-year head coach Jamie Nickels. They are led by quarterback/defensive back Damarcus Leach, a South Carolina commit, who will play defense in college but scored four touchdowns last week on offense..

The last time these teams met? Abbeville piled up an 85-22 victory in the 2019 1A playoffs. The Panthers then moved up to 2A but have dropped back to 1A this season.

Friday’s regional finals

(all kickoffs at 7:30 p.m.)

CLASS 5A / DIVISION 1

Upper State

Spartanburg (9-2) at Dutch Fork (11-0)

Lower State

Sumter (12-0) at Summerville (12-0)

CLASS 5A / DIVISION 2

Upper State

Gaffney (10-1) at Northwestern (12-0)

Lower State

White Knoll (8-5) at Irmo (11-1)

CLASS 4A

Upper State

South Pointe (11-2) at Westside (12-0)

Lower State

South Florence (10-3) at North Augusta (12-1)

CLASS 3A

Upper State

Belton-Honea Path (12-1) at Mountain View Prep (12-0)

Lower State

Oceanside Collegiate (9-3) at Loris (11-1)

CLASS 2A

Upper State

Fairfield Central (12-1) at Clinton (10-2)

Lower State

Manning (11-1) at Barnwell (12-1)

CLASS 1A

Upper State

Lewisville (12-1) at Abbeville (11-1)

Lower State

Lake View (11-1) at Cross (10-2)

Rock Hill-area basketball star keeps ‘whatever it takes’ mentality to find success

Westminster Catawba Christian School senior guard Brycen Redmon, one of the top-ranked players in South Carolina, has a knack for scoring.Only a few games into the season, the 6-foot-1 athletic guard from Fort Mill has been a scoring machine, including two 30-point performances.He can score in multiple ways and his quickness has been a problem for defenders staying in front of him every game this season.Redmon is proud of his strong start to his senior season, but helping his team win in any way that he can is his focus....

Westminster Catawba Christian School senior guard Brycen Redmon, one of the top-ranked players in South Carolina, has a knack for scoring.

Only a few games into the season, the 6-foot-1 athletic guard from Fort Mill has been a scoring machine, including two 30-point performances.

He can score in multiple ways and his quickness has been a problem for defenders staying in front of him every game this season.

Redmon is proud of his strong start to his senior season, but helping his team win in any way that he can is his focus.

So far that’s meant battling through a minor fracture in his elbow, getting poked in the eye in a game last week and battling the flu during Saturday’s game against Victory Christian in the Charlotte Hoops Challenge at Harding High School.

Still, Redmon is averaging 28 points, six rebounds and three assists per game for Westminster Catawba (3-5), which had its first 20-win season under coach Ed Addie in 2023-24 and is out to repeat that this year.

Redmon said he’s determined to make the team go.

“Whatever it takes,” Redmon said. “If that’s getting 50 points; if that’s getting 10 assists, if that’s getting 10 rebounds, whatever I can do to help my team win.”

Redmon’s mentality was put to the test during Westminster Catawba’s 89-67 loss to Victory Christian Center at the Charlotte Hoops Challenge.

Redmon struggled in the loss and was limited to 18 minutes because of foul trouble and illness. Despite not being on the court, he continued to do whatever it took to support his squad.

“My coach has a saying, ‘The sun doesn’t shine on the same dog every day.’ And today wasn’t really my day,” Redmon said. “I still have to be a great teammate and support the team and keep up the energy while on the bench.”

After the game, he explained what his team struggles with the most.

“We didn’t do a bad job scoring the ball, but we gave up more points than we should have gave up,” he said.

Redmon is willing to become a better defender if that’s what it takes to help the team.

He wants to work on defense and get better as Westminster Catawba goes “back in the lab” Monday to prepare for Tuesday’s conference opener at Sweet 16 No. 4 Concord Academy.

“I love the game,” he said. “If there’s four better scorers and I’m just averaging five points and 12 assists, it’s whatever it takes to get my team the win.”

Eagles Host Rock Hill Classic Nov. 15-17, Open With William & Mary Friday Night

Rock Hill, S.C. – Winthrop men's basketball is set to host the Rock Hill, Classic Nov. 15-17 which will take place at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center in downtown Rock Hill. ROCK HILL CLASSIC SCHEDULE Rock Hill Sports & Event Center | Buy Tickets Friday, Nov. 15 Winthrop vs. William & Mary, 5:00 p.m. | ...

Rock Hill, S.C. – Winthrop men's basketball is set to host the Rock Hill, Classic Nov. 15-17 which will take place at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center in downtown Rock Hill. ROCK HILL CLASSIC SCHEDULE Rock Hill Sports & Event Center | Buy Tickets Friday, Nov. 15 Winthrop vs. William & Mary, 5:00 p.m. | Live Stats North Carolina Central vs. Georgia Southern, 7:30 p.m. | Live Stats

Saturday, Nov. 16 Winthrop vs. Georgia Southern, 5:00 p.m. | Live Stats | ESPN+ William & Mary vs. North Carolina Central, 7:30 p.m. | Live Stats | ESPN+

Sunday, Nov. 17 William & Mary vs. Georgia Southern, 12:00 p.m. | Live Stats | ESPN+ Winthrop vs. North Carolina Central, 2:30 p.m. | Live Stats | ESPN+ SERIES HISTORY

WINTHROP

LOOKING BACK AT 2023-24

SEASON HONORS/AWARDS

CAREER MILESTONES

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE Get your men's basketball season tickets TODAY! Season tickets are $149 for 18 home games, which includes the games played in the Rock Hill Classic at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center (Nov. 15-16). Purchase Today– Click Here. SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ARE ON SALE Fans can purchase single-game tickets for all home contests for the 2024-25 season by visiting www.winthropeagles.com/MBBTickets2425 or call text ticket office at (803) 323-2345. 25^th ANNIVERSARY This year celebrates the 25^th anniversary of the 1999-2000 team that captured a second straight Big South Conference championship. Under the guidance of second-year head coach Gregg Marshall the Eagles posted an overall record of 21-9 and were 11-3 in the conference (2^nd place). Winthrop defeated fourth-seeded UNC Asheville 75-62 in the Big South title game and faced 3^rd-seeded Oklahoma in Tucson, Ariz. in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. TUNE IN TO THE EAGLES Fans can listen to the games all season long on OTS Media of Rock Hill (94.3 FM), which is the flagship station for Winthrop Athletics. In addition, most games will simulcast on 730 ESPN Charlotte and AM 1450 WGNC Gastonia. All home games in the Winthrop Coliseum as well as all Big South games home or away are available to watch through the Big South Network on ESPN+. To watch live Big South games on ESPN+, you need a subscriber. ESPN is currently offering a discount between Oct. 25-Dec. 2 to get 12 months for the price of nine. For more information how to subscribe, click here. UP NEXT Following the Rock Hill Classic the Eagles will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 22 as they head to Louisville, Ky. to take on Louisville at 7 p.m. To keep up with the latest news on the Winthrop men's basketball program, follow the Eagles on Twitter (@Winthrop_MBB), Instagram (@Winthrop_MBB) and Facebook (/WinthropMBB).

Columbia mayor offering ‘resolution of disapproval’ after USC left out of playoff rankings

When the latest College Football Playoff rankings were released on Tuesday, the University of South Carolina found itself on the outside looking in, with the Gamecocks ranked No. 14. That’s just short of what will eventually be a 12-team playoff field.That apparently didn’t sit well with Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann.Rickenmann, who is in his first term as mayor after a long run on Columbia City Council, said on social media Thursday afternoon that he plans to offer a city resolution expressing displeasure with t...

That apparently didn’t sit well with Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann.

Rickenmann, who is in his first term as mayor after a long run on Columbia City Council, said on social media Thursday afternoon that he plans to offer a city resolution expressing displeasure with the recent rankings that project the Gamecocks just outside the playoff field, despite a six-game winning streak and victories against high-profile opponents such as Clemson and Texas A&M.

“The Gamecocks should be in the college football playoffs,” Rickenmann wrote on Facebook. “The CFP committee’s recent ranking is a mistake. For this reason, I’m introducing a resolution of disapproval at the next city council meeting. The Gamecocks deserve a spot in the playoffs and we’ve been excited because of their hard work this entire season.”

Such a resolution, if approved, would be non-binding as it relates to the College Football Playoff committee, which has been tasked with selecting the field for this year’s inaugural 12-team playoff in college football’s highest division. Still, it would put on record the capital city’s feelings of the recent rankings.

“Columbia is proud of our flagship university and its positive impact on our state,” Rickenmann wrote. “This team deserves recognition and the committee made its decision behind closed doors without a clear process. Throughout the season, the Gamecocks have consistently exceeded expectations and fought through adversity.

“Clearly strength of schedule, losses to unranked teams, and margin of victory were not taken into account. The committee’s decision will result in lost benefit to our community which will be detrimental to Columbia.”

Rickenmann, who went to USC, has long been quick to support the school’s athletics programs. The city has hosted championship parades for the Gamecocks women’s basketball teams after they have won national titles. The mayor also gave ESPN’s Lee Corso a key to the city of Columbia when the network’s College GameDay show was in town for the USC-LSU game in September.

This story was originally published December 5, 2024, 1:51 PM.

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