Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2019

50 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.BestOfMP.com | www.ReadMPM.com feature T he Palmetto State’s flagship university’s nickname is the Gamecocks, named after Gen. Thomas Sumter (called the “Carolina Gamecock” for his fierce fighting tactics during the Revolutionary War). While Carolina’s loyal fans — particularly women — sport white ball caps with the word “COCKS” in garnet may cause heads to swivel elsewhere, there’s not a raised eyebrow around these parts. Not surprisingly, USC boasts two nationally recognized mascots, both owning clever names: Cocky, the cheerleader, and Sir Big Spur, the live version. USC’s football pregame activities are surrounded by the music of “2001: A Space Odyssey” as the marching band blankets the field. A dual climax comes as the team sprints onto the Williams-Brice Stadium grass and Cocky makes his grand entrance at midfield. Cocky, truly one of the more colorful mascots of our time, was honored as being named the official mascot of the College World Series in Omaha in 1981 and 1982; Universal Cheerleading Association Mascot Competition Champion in 1986 and 1994; and, in 2003, Cocky was named the Capital One National Mascot of the Year, their version of a national championship. Sir Big Spur, the live Aiken-based gamecock, is referred to as the “Most Involved Mascot in Sports” and is listed annually among the best live mascots (Smokey, the University of Tennessee’s Bluetick Coonhound is among the tops, as are LSU’s Mike the Tiger and the University of Colorado’s Ralphie the Buffalo). The life expectancy of a gamecock is about a decade, and fans are currently enjoying Sir Big Spur IV. Although Cocky is the University of South Carolina’s most well-known mascot, he was not its first, as student John Nelson — who later became a biology professor at USC — started dressing as The Rooster as a student in 1971. Big Spur was introduced during homecoming in 1974, and the current version of Cocky, portrayed as the son of Big Spur and worn by Robert Lane, was introduced during the 1980 homecoming game. Lowcountry resident Jamie Ballentine, one of the longest-serving Cocky mascots from 2002-06, captured the Capitol One’s Mascot Bowl, making him a national champion. Ballentine later spent time as Charlie T. RiverDog. USC’S COCKY Photo by Thomas Runion.