| South Carolina Gamecocks | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | University of South Carolina |
| Conference | SEC (primary) Sun Belt (men's soccer) Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (beach volleyball) |
| NCAA | Division I (FBS) |
| Athletic director | Ray Tanner (2012–present) |
| Location | Columbia, South Carolina |
| Varsity teams | 21 (9 men's, 12 women's) |
| Football stadium | Williams-Brice Stadium |
| Basketball arena | Colonial Life Arena |
| Baseball stadium | Founders Park |
| Softball stadium | Carolina Softball Stadium |
| Soccer stadium | Eugene E. Stone III Stadium |
| Tennis venue | Carolina Tennis Center |
| Volleyball arena | Carolina Volleyball Center |
| Other venues | Wheeler Beach (beach volleyball) |
| Mascot | Cocky(official) Sir Big Spur (live) Big Spur (previous) |
| Nickname | Gamecocks |
| Fight song | "The Fighting Gamecocks Lead the Way"[1] |
| Colors | Garnet and black[2] |
| Website | gamecocksonline |
The South Carolina Gamecocks represent the University of South Carolina in the NCAA Division I.
The University of South Carolina uses "Gamecocks" as its official nickname and mascot. While the men's teams were traditionally known as the Fighting Gamecocks and the women's teams were previously known as the Lady Gamecocks, this distinction was discontinued in part to eliminate any gender bias in the athletic department and in part to counter misconceptions about the gamecock mascot endorsing bloodsport.[1]
All of the university's varsity teams compete at the Division I level of the NCAA, and all but men's soccer and women's beach volleyball compete in the Southeastern Conference.[3] Men's soccer competes in the Sun Belt Conference and women's beach volleyball competes in the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association because the SEC does not sponsor those sports.
The athletic department is supported with private money from the Gamecock Club. It was originally formed as the B.A.M. ("Buck-A-Month") Club in 1939 and 1940 to benefit the athletic programs from privately raised funds.[4][5]
The university's athletic programs have earned eleven national team titles and produced many Olympians. Gamecock fans are known for their passion – sportscaster Tim Brando was quoted as saying, "You won't find any more loyal fans in the country than those who follow the South Carolina Gamecocks."[6]
- ^ a b "Gamecock Traditions". South Carolina Gamecocks. Archived from the original on March 17, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- ^ "Colors – Communications and Public Affairs | University of South Carolina". Retrieved July 16, 2019.
- ^ "South Carolina Athletics History". South Carolina Gamecocks. Archived from the original on January 27, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- ^ Lesesne, Henry H. (2001). A History of the University of South Carolina, 1940–2000. University of South Carolina Press. p. 66.
- ^ "Home". TheGamecockClub.com. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
- ^ "CAROLINA PRIDE: South Carolina Gamecocks | Charleston Magazine". CHARLESTON SC |. 2009-07-22. Retrieved 2024-09-09.