For many incoming freshmen, the housing selection period can be both scary and exciting.
With a multitude of options, these new Gamecocks might find it difficult to make such an important decision. While there may be a few clear top choices, one dormitory always seems to land last on the list: McBryde.
Whether students are studying at Thomas Cooper Library or hanging out in Five Points, there is no shortage of criticism directed toward the residence hall with a poor reputation. This includes the harsh brick architecture, lack of cleanliness in the bathrooms and the small room sizes.
However, the nearly 70-year-old walls would tell a different story, one that isn’t often given the respect it deserves. It's a story of everlasting brotherhood forged from a lived experience that only select USC students get to experience.
By tearing down McBryde, incoming freshmen lose out on the opportunity to live in the historic building and no longer get the chance to create the types of bonds that can only be forged within the walls of the dormitory.
With the USC board of trustees March 2024 decision to demolish the dormitory, USC students might have been left wondering what the future holds for the storied building and its legacy. Recently, the University Historian Facebook page posted about the demolition and urged former residents to share photos and stories from their time living in the building. The post has garnered 106 comments in 15 days. The comments tell stories of 1980s fraternity events and Friday night card game traditions, symbolizing the true spirit of McBryde.
Named after former University President John M. McBryde, the building was completed in 1955. It originally served as fraternity housing but was later converted into an all-boys freshman dormitory upon the completion of USC Greek Village. Remnants of this past can still be seen through the Greek letters and logos visible on the grounds.
Beyond the literal symbolism of brotherhood embodied by its fraternal roots, it is important to note that McBryde’s location on campus is extremely beneficial for getting to classes on time, professors' office hours and the student health center.
The relationships that emerge and the overall legacy of the McBryde Quadrangle represent the very best of our university and deserve to be celebrated just as we would a fourth-quarter LaNorris Sellers touchdown run or masterful Dawn Staley coaching performance. Between all the memories shared, the true legacy of the building is not what any one particular student may experience in their first eight months in Columbia, but the bonds that emerge for the rest of college and beyond.
In these moments, we find friendship and fulfillment through our peers. There is no greater reminder of that truth than living in McBryde. It is an environment that fosters the growth of a man at a pace that far surpasses most other experiences in life. So while it may not be a five-star hotel, the value that comes from living there extends not only to a student's time at USC but to the rest of their life as a whole.
McBryde served as my home away from home freshman year. From meeting one of my closest fraternity brothers to my best friend on campus and future bandmates, I will always hold dear the memories it gave me. When I think about McBryde, I don’t think about the stigma or reputation; I think about the late nights in G Hall after gigs in Five Points and the countless football Sundays spent with my best friends.
Despite not living there myself, I was welcomed into the community with open arms. The true legacy of McBryde is friendship; it's a place where guys from all over the country can come together and create priceless memories and bonds through a one-of-a-kind shared experience. USC is not only losing a piece of history but an integral part of the soul of our campus.
In the face of demolition, the Carolina community has to come together to remember and honor the legacy of this great building. The quadrangle will always hold a special place in my heart. The dorm has positively impacted so many young men in our community and will continue to do so in the future if the building is not torn down.