University of South Carolina Libraries
** ?# ? August 25,1981 ? GAMECOCK ? Page 7C "vf"" Carolin Color! The University of South Carolina is the only major college athletic program in the ziAiinfrir fViof ncac ^UUIltl J VllOt uovo 4 * F i g h t i n g Gamecocks'' as its official nickname and mascot. The university's athletic teams have been known as the "Gamecocks" for 75 years. At the turn of the century, after struggling for more than a decade under numerous nicknames, the school's football team was first referred to unofficially as "Game Cocks." In 1903, Columbia's morning newspaper, The State , shortened the nahie to one word and South Carolina teams have been Gamecocks ever since. A Gamecock, of course, is a fighting rooster known for its spirit and energy. Cock fighting,, a popular sport in the 19th century United States, would last until tne death of one of the IXWDE MMMM a's Figh i And M combatants. Gock fighting has been outlawed by most states for humanitarian reasons, but it is still practiced ii secreuy in many areas. The state of South Carolina has long been closely connected with the breeding and training of Fighting Gamecocks. General Thomas Sumter, famed fighter of the Revolutionary War, was known as the 4'Gamecock." Numerous strains of fighting LUCMS WC1P dibU developed in the state. Like its nickname, USC adopted its official colors as garnet and black near the turn of the century. No documented evidence for the selection of these particular colors is apparent, although those colors are dominant on most gamecocks. The present USC fight song was adopted in 1 The tune is called t'C RESTRURfiHT ML-Qjp OHO 3HIUUI1 it Song, lascot 4'Step to the Rear," from the Broadway musical "How Now, Dow Jones," and the music was written by Elmer Bernstein. The fight song lyrics were written by Paul Dietzel, who preceded Jim Carlen as USC head football coach and athletic director. Words to the Carolina fight song: Hey, let's give a cheer, Carolina is here; the Fighting CLrtm* tl?/i icuu trie way. Who gives a care if the going gets tough and when it is rough, that's when the cocks get goirtg; hail to our colors of garnet and black, in Carolina pride have we. So, go, Gamecocks,go. Fight! Drive for the goal. Fight! USC will win today. So cocks! So, let's give a cheer. Carolina is here; go Fighting Gamecocks all the wayI Gamecocks all the way! | First E 1 Bi 1 We think we ha I to offer college Ianywnere...so \ worship and gr CHAR BUS SCHi 9:00 a.m.-Russ fj 9:10 a.m.-Bate 9:20 a.m.-Caps Returning at 1 Our College progr efforts, Fellowshij Singles choir and c mm m ? * jsm * _ baptist Church Invites Yoi ble Study and ve the best students \ve invite you to ow with us. TER EDULE ell House s House :tone O'C.lock J. Mi am includes Indepth Bible Stud n nnH R0r.r0at.inn. WV? invitp VOi )ther weekly activities. R.ST BAPT' Sunday School*9:30 Morning Worship&J 1:0i Evening Wo 1306 Hampton At Sumt v",. f: pnH^i^ "x ; of Colu ito Worshi] wL d * ' * . arshall Edwa y, Worship oppor u to be a part of 1ST ci Educational anne O/College Lunch. J rshipm7:00 er /Columbia/256 MC, ' ^ ^ m m* ~ / 'Psf mfoia ? irds/Minister ;j tunities, Mission I our College and IURCH | 12:05 ; 4251