January 27, 2003

January 13, 2003

December 16, 2002

December 01, 2002

November 24, 2002

November 17, 2002

November 10, 2002

November 3, 2002

October 27, 2002

  October 20, 2002

Dear Bill and Barbara Spence,

     I'm writing this email to express my gratitude to you for all that you have done in helping me to get Moe's website up and running, and for helping me to maintain it properly.

I'd like to share with everyone who visits Moe's website that without your undying patience, devotion, commitment to excellence, and professionalism, we would not have achieved the success we have with the website. 

Furthermore due to the aforementioned, on February 2, 2003, Moe's website was recognized and awarded with the prestigious Golden Web Award for 2003-2004, and presented by the International Association of Webmasters and Designers in recognition of creativity, integrity and excellence on the Web.

Thank you for all that you do, and continue to do on behalf of MoeThompson.com.

Sincerely and with heartfelt appreciation,

Trish, Moe, and the Thompson Family! ;o)

Patricia,

Please excuse me for waiting so long to mail you this note. It was such a pleasure to talk to you on the phone and then meet you in person when you and all of the Lowcountry Gamecock players and Stratford Knight players visited Kristina and I at our home for the picture shoot. Kristina has been a life-long Gamecock fan and she has been an avid fan of Moe's since they also share the kinship of Stratford High. It was really a thrill and an honor for us to have everyone in our home for a few hours.

I wanted to tell you and all of the young gentleman how impressed I was with each and every one of them. It would have been very easy for each of them to just come and have their pictures taken and leave. The fact that they all took time from their Christmas breaks to attend the picture shoot was the first indication to me what a fine group of young men these guys are. Every single one of them took the time to personally speak to me and thank me for having them to our home. My heart was warmed by this simple gesture from each of them - their parents should be extremely proud that they have raised such courteous young men. Talking with them while they were having pictures taken and enjoying the lunch you brought for them helped to restore my faith in the younger generation. The sense of friendship and kinship among this group of young men was wonderful to see. It was obvious that they all care about one another - they are or were teammates and there was no sign of anyone being superior to anyone else. They could all very easily focus on their individual successes, but nothing of the sort was evident that day.

Unfortunately, everyone and everything these days seems to focus on the ills of the next generation. This fine group of young men certainly proves that theory incorrect. I am sure each of everyone one of them will be a success in whatever they endeavor in their lives. With so much of the focus on these young men centered on their athletic prowess, it would be a simple process for all of them to get caught up in that hoopla. Once again, none of that was evident the day I meet them. They are individuals first and athletes second. The parental guidance these young men have received was evident in their behavior and I congratulate all of their families for the fine job they have done with them. You are a delightful individual and you have done an admirable job raising your sons.

Thank you for allowing Kristina and I the opportunity to be a part of the fun. As is said before, you are an amazing and admirable person - you are a strong part of the grease that keeps the wheel turning. I feel fortunate to have met you and your wonderful family and the young men and ladies that you treat as family. They are all so lucky to have you in their corner!

GO GAMECOCKS!!!!
Jackie Meetze

Dear Mrs. Thompson,

           By way of introduction my family and Preston’s are dear family friends, and our heart aches that we had to leave the Lowcountry due to job relocation.  Preston and his Mom and his Dad were like our own family, and we came to be like family in many ways...through good times watching our kids grow, sharing sports events with our kids, and through the hard times when Preston's Dad passed away. Al Thorne was so proud of Preston for the person he was inside and for the integrity of character he possessed, I know Al is watching from far above and smiling over his son.  I want to thank you for making my day and my family's day by getting to read the wonderful Lowcountry Connection article on Preston, I still call him my "other son" and miss he and Juanita so much.  I spoke with Preston today at length, and he told me of your website ....you too have much to be proud of and blessed with in your son, and we will be watching from our home here in RI not only on ESPN for Gamecock # 94 but also now # 91!!!

          We wear our Gamecock colors proudly here in the northeast and hope to someday return to Summerville...sure do miss it with all this snow and cold!!!  Your website is great and well done!   It’s great that Moe and Preston will get to play together … so much talent from the Summerville area!!

         Thank you again for a beautiful article on Preston, it meant so much to read it and touched us all....we thank you.    God Bless and take care, we shall look forward to next season ...and be watching from up north...but hopefully make it down for a game ...and as always GOOOOO Gamecocks!!!!

      Chris and Bob Donald and family

Dear Moe's Momma,

I love visiting your site. Reading your website about Moe is very refreshing. You are the true definition of a fan, not of only of your son, the Gamecocks, but of the spirit of Carolina, and everything that is written in the Carolinian Creed. You are so enthusiastic and supportive of all your sons. It is extraordinary the way that you share your son with the fans (and others) of USC. Having gone to my fair share of USC games, I can truly appreciate all aspects of the things that you mention in the "Straight from the Parents Bench."  I haven't had the pleasure of having a child play sports at USC, but I do know the other side of sports that so many fail to recognize. There are a lot of "others" who get left out of the picture, from the equipment managers, exquisite Carolina Classics, to the tutors who help the players. It's amazing that you are broad and wise enough to remember that USC football is more than the players and the coaches. There are academic counselors who work hard to help our players. There are unmentioned heroes like Harold Green, (Editors Note:  Harold is also a LowCountry Connection and a former Stratford Knight high school standout athlete/graduate from Ladson, SC) who played for USC, had a successful career in the NFL, and chose to come back to mentor our young athletes at the Academic Center. I know from Moe's actions on and off the field, that he is a quiet and gentle young man, which is rare in what can become a brutal and cruel sport. How could he not be! His mother is so dedicated and loving of him and others! Moe would have been successful no matter where he went. I read an article a couple of months ago that featured Moe. It explained that Moe knew Carolina was for him when he saw the Honor roll board in the locker room! What an outstanding young man. Not only have you taught him to be an outstanding person in the community, with all of his volunteerism, but you have made sure that he knows why he's at Carolina. Football is a MAJOR part, but Moe is aware that the NFL is extremely hard to get into. (Even though I'm positive he'll have no problems...) Moe understands that he is in school first. There are a lot of athletes whom do not realize that athletic ability can be taken away in one swift hit, one wrong tackle, one pop of a knee. Education is a must. I'm glad that Moe chose USC. He upholds all of the qualities that we need more of. And as a parent, fan, and South Carolinian so do you!! You are truly a gem!! Keep up the good work! Good Luck next year and Happy Holidays.

Natalie Bell, Columbia

Frankfurt, Germany

Hello there. My name is Tina, and I have been a fan of the Carolina Gamecocks for as long as I can remember (at least since 1985, if not before). I was on my normal Gamecock message board, and someone had a link to your website. They had all sorts of good things to say about it, so I decided to give it a look. I have to admit, though I haven’t read the whole page, I really enjoyed everything that I saw there.  It is a real eye opener, to see the players from a parent’s point of view. I am not a parent yet, though I plan to become one in the near future. Though I grew up in South Carolina my whole life, I live in Florida now. When I do have kids, I hope that I will be able to give them the education USC has to offer that I never got. (I went to a small college in South Carolina). I can only hope that I can give my future children they type of love and support that you are showing your son, Moe.  That page is truly an inspiration to all parents, and all USC fans. You are a busy woman, I am sure, and I doubt that you will have the time to answer all of your email, but I just wanted you to know, from a female fan's   view, that it is great to see a mom taking so much pride in her son's football career. I hope that both you and Moe are successful in anything that you put your heart to.

Keep the faith in our team, and
GOOOOOO GAMECOCKS!   :)

Tina
Orlando, FL.

If Moe will continue to focus on making each day a success, his academic and football career will fall into alignment. I am confident he will do just that. And because he will; Moe will make his family, his teammates, and Coaches Strong and Holtz, as well as Gamecock fans proud.

It looks as though you have done a most fine job teaching Moe what is important, and how to succeed. A strong mother keeps us lifted up, while also keeping our feet to the ground. I hope Moe finds someone like you for his eternal companion (when the time is right).

Congratulations on raising such a fine young man. He will make many people proud.

Congratulations Moe. Push hard toward helping your team gain a bowl bid this year, and preparing for a conference championship while you're at USC.
Go Gamecocks.

Paul Beaty

What’s up Moe?  I decided I would get in on the action since everyone else is!  Maybe my email might get posted as email of the week!(MOMMA HINT HINT).  Moe, I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you!  Even though I’m your brother, I still can't help to feel like I’m your dad sometimes.  I find myself feeling over protective of you at times, like I have to be there no matter what.  It’s like I want to call and check up on you everyday, not because your doing bad or anything, I guess I just want to know you’re ok and I don’t want you to have to want for anything! I guess we can just call it a brothers unconditional love type thing.  There's not a day that goes by or that has gone by that I don’t think of how much you have accomplished and how much you will accomplish.  

Out of all of us, you’re the ONE that has the opportunity to really make all your dreams come true! I’m not saying that the rest of us are giving up on our dreams, it’s just that we have to work a little harder now at them.  I pray every night for your health and strength!  I pray that you keep your head on straight and do the right things.  It is so easy to get caught up in the middle of the many temptations in life that you sometimes forget what your goal is and by the time you figure it out its too late!  I just want you to stay focused, which I know in my heart you will, and I want you to show and prove to everyone that you are the real deal and that they better watch out for BIG MOE!  Well enuf of that mushy stuff Lil 265lb Brother!  Just keep doing what your doing and you will be blessed!  If you need anything, anything at all, holla at me!   WE ALL ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU!   

Your Bubba  
KJ

Moe, I am an attorney in Greenville.  I just read your mother's words about character.   You have one classy, professional Mom who has character herself.  Someday, even more than now, you will realize how lucky you are.  My Mother died 2 weeks ago and I would give anything to tell one more time how much I love her.  Do It!!!!

I know you and the team will fight through this adversity.   We will be better than ever.  Beat Clemtech!!!!!

Alison Jones

Tripp Koon
Hopkins SC
Class of 2000 History Major 

Hi,

I have been a supporter of the Gamecocks for 30 plus years and I have never been more excited or proud of the football team.  I have had an opportunity to meet a couple of the players and they all impressed me as outstanding individuals and athletes.   Things have not gone the way everyone hoped at the first of the season due to injuries and some inexperience in some key areas as well as some plain bad breaks, but those things will work themselves out and this team will bring us many victories in the years ahead.  At the Arkansas game, I was disappointed to see a number of fans leaving, but that is their prerogative, but you can rest assured the Gamecock Nation is fully behind the team and is excited to watch the younger players develop and gain experience.  The future has never looked brighter for Gamecock football.  Thank you for all of your hard work and efforts this year so far ------- it is not over yet!!!!! !!!

Go Cocks!

I plan on giving the pillow to my dad for a x-mas present. He is almost as big of a Carolina fan as I am.

Ms. T,

I really enjoyed your story this past week about Senior Day, the Armed
Services Salute, and especially the part about who I like to call the
"Boo-birds."  You really made some great points about how they should
realize that the kids on the field are not only people, but they are
someone's son, brother, father, cousin, nephew, etc.  It really gives the
fans a different perspective, because, at times, we begin to think of these
athletes as, well... not as people, simply because of the pedestal they are
put upon in our society.  That is wrong and, although I never single a
player out, I have been known to get rowdy from time to time.

Your story's thoughts about character were right on point, as well, and I
want to thank you for such input.  If I am blessed enough to have a child
one day, I would hope that my child is able to be around great leaders and
teachers such as Coach Holtz.  I am certain after spending ten minutes on
your site that Coach Holtz is not the only great person associated with
Carolina Athletics.  As a ticket holder that keeps up with the team from
every aspect, it seems that Coach Holtz recruits not only outstanding
players, but perhaps more importantly outstanding individuals.  Although I
don't know him personally, I am certain that your son is no exception to
this rule.

I just wanted to thank you for your thoughts on the subjects, wish you and
your son the best, and have you thank your son for having enough pride in
his home state to remain here, when we know he could've gone elsewhere to
play ball.  I also thank you for instilling that type of pride in his roots.

Sterling Anderson

Keep writing and I'll keep reading.

JC
Gainesville, Georgia

"No one is forcing anyone to come to the games … if you don’t like what you see or how who’s doing what … and don’t want to support all of our sons and their coaches … win or lose … then … stay your behind HOME … now instead of later, and especially when they do win … because they WILL WIN again because they have strong and true CHARACTER and when they do … they won’t need you then either!!!"

I couldn't agree with you more!  Our family has Club members and season ticket holders for years.  We have sat in the same seats as long as I can remember.  We support our team, win or lose, AND WE DON'T LEAVE EARLY!        

Our section is full of Club members and it angers and embarrasses me the way some of our "fans" carry on when the team isn't doing well.  If you don't like the way things are going, spare all of us your negativity and STAY HOME.

Your son is doing a great job this year.  Best wishes to him for future success.  
He is blessed to such a supportive, intelligent Mom with a positive attitude.

GO COCKS!

Dear Ms. Trish,

    I'm still in the "WOW" stage after discovering your website, so forgive me if I gush a little.  I think you should know what a tremendous service you do for us fans by expressing your thoughts and feelings as a Gamecock parent for the world to see.  It is so easy for us to forget that these players are more than just jersey numbers with heights, weights and forty times; that they are somebody's most precious gift with what often seems like the weight of the world on their shoulders.   I'm so proud to have folks like yourself and Moe as part of the Gamecock family.   Thanks for all you do as a parent and a fan.  My biggest hope for your son is not that he wins a National Championship or earns All-American honors or is a first-round draft choice (though I hope he does all), but I want him to be able to look back at his years at USC as the best time of his life and always be a Gamecock through and through.   Thanks again for everything.

Sincerely,
Anthony Goodroe
Orangeburg, SC

After reading your piece about character, I have to say you go girl! People seem to forget how hard these kids work and that it is not always about winning or losing, but giving your best in whatever you do. As a fan, player, coach, parent etc...I am proud to say I have never left a game early, for any reason. Football is very brutal on the body and these kids never give up, which as you put it is character as well. People should support the team in good and bad. GOD didn't promise sun without rain, and things wont always go as we hope, but endeavor to persevere, NEVER GIVE UP!

Moe is very lucky to have been raised by one such as yourself.
Thank you and GOD Bless.

P.S. Some of us are trying to come up w/ nicknames for
Moe, Laury, Hurley, not stooges, but scourges to opponents.

Trish,

Not only did we get a great football player with the signing of your son, but we got a GREAT FOOTBALL MOM... with plenty of character to boot!

God bless you and your son, thank you for your service to our Country (read your Arkansas editorial) and thank you for your consent to allow Moe to be a Gamecock.

As a fan, I know things will get better for the team if they all have great role models like you as a parent.

Go Gamecocks...and Go Army!!!

J. Klauber

Sunday, November 10, 2002

Mrs. Jenice Boone lives in Moncks Corner, SC and is the mother of 3 children Charnice, Anthony and Angel.  Jenice has been employed at Stratford High School since 1991 and has been employed with Berkeley County since 1989.   Janice attended Holly Hill High School in Holly Hill, SC.  Jenice and her husband have been together for 19 years and married for 15. As an active and involved mom, Jenice says, "I spend most of my free time at the ball fields with my two younger children.  Anthony plays football for the Ladson Falcons and Angel cheers for the Ladson Panthers for which I am the head coach. I am truly blessed and thank God everyday for my children and the things that God has blessed them to do."