South Carolina’s Martin looks to build fan base

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin has beefed up the Gamecocks’ schedule, and now he hopes to improve the team’s attendance.

Martin and his players are embarking on a weeklong series of events in the community to build goodwill and urge fans to purchase season tickets. The goal is to sell 8,000 — a total Martin says hasn’t been hit at the 18,000-seat Colonial Life Arena the past few seasons.

It hasn’t helped that the Gamecocks haven’t had a winning season since going 21-10 in 2008-09. They have had just one winning Southeastern Conference record since 1997-98.

Martin believes reaching out to fans is essential to changing the culture.