Why Is The Gamecock The Usc Mascot?

The University of Delaware, Tottenham, and South Carolina are all part of the same family of universities, with the Blue Hen being named after a specific type of American gamecock. In contrast, South Carolina has a live mascot named Sir Big Spur, with the latest iteration named Sir Big Spur VII. The original mascot was an Old English Black Breasted Red.

The University of South Carolina’s official symbol, the Gamecock, has been used since 1902, but there was no official mascot until 1971. The South Carolina Gamecocks in NCAA Division I represent the University of South Carolina. The choice of the gamecock as the university’s mascot can be traced back to 1980 when the university debuted “Cocky”, a costumed Gamecock, as the official mascot at sporting events and university events. Cocky, a garnet and black plumed gamecock, captured National Championship titles as the No. 1 mascot.

The name “Gamecock” originated on the battlefield during the American Revolution, with General Thomas Sumter earning the nickname “The Fighting Gamecock” due to his military tactics. The University of South Carolina’s football teams play under the Gamecock monicker, and the Jacksonville State Gamecocks will face the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first meeting of the two schools in America with the Gamecock mascot.

The town of Sumter paid tribute by taking his name and is known as “The Gamecock City” as a tribute to Sumter’s fierce moniker. Decades later, the University found itself with a new identity: a mascot. The South Carolina Gamecocks feature perhaps the most unique and electrifying pregame entry in all of college football.