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Features , I Wednesday, December 10, 1986 / inn nA^rmnv Cocky's worl as university Editor's note: I his is the Jina! of a three-part series on USC's mascot. Cocky. By TRACY MIXSON Senior reporter A mascot's work is never done. USC mascot "Cocky" is a familiar face at Carolina athletic events, but cheering on the Gamecocks is only a part of the many responsibilities of this university "ambassador." As a product of the athletic depart^ ment, Cocky's first priority is IJSC P sports. Hut when there's no game, lie's usually on the road, filling requests lo appear at parades, hospitals, birthday parties, charity activities and countless other events. "It's a pretty demanding job," said the student who plays the mascot. "Cocky is wanted everywhere, because he has such a wide appeal. "The mascot really is an ambassador for the university ? everyone in the : . I Mail' V. i>V. I\ J( , iinvi IIII1I reminds them of IJSC. It's a job with a lot of responsibility, because he's f always representing the positive aspects of the school." The student, who prefers to remain anonymous, said Cocky is a special kind of university representative, because he can appeal to everyone ? even Clemson fans. "Cocky is everybody's friend, nc matter where they come from or what 9 BBS il vi ? GOT~M We urgently need people to aid in medical researc j had mono within the pa 'I m i^lifv/for $100 oer wee | time. Call 254-6537. ^ OfN Seroloj I mK 1 2719 Midd|e| Columb I Serologicals 25 " .> " (i 0 1 0 / (. f \\ 0 c (. \,) u " 0 r1 < )v\ .. ./>> " (\ J ? " > \ Keep the ho i (? Don't drink t ( not only spi 's goodwill ai school they support. His biggest fans arc probably kids, and he always tries to make friends with them immediately. "A lot of times, they're scared ol Cocky at first. I would be, too. Here you are, just a little kivl, being shoved toward this big mass of red feathers." To make children feel more at ease. Cocky will stand sideways and turn his head toward them so he's not as in timidating to such small people. I he mascot has put this unique appeal to use. I he past year, he's been a volunteer at the Children's Home in Columbia, where he works with traumati/ed children. " I he kids there love Cocky, because he's like a big cartoon character come to lite," the student said. "The kids who normally have trouble relating to people will relate to Cocky, because they trust him. " These are kids who have been hurt in the past, and need to rcali/.e that amidst all of their problems, they should still be able to trust people. Cocky helps them build that trust." kxecutive director iviikc cavanaugn said ilie facility wanted to try some new approaches to helping the home's younger abused and neglected children. Cocky contacted them to see if they could use his services, and the mascot's project began. ''His timing was perfect," i Cavanawgh said. "It gives the kids a L thrill because he's so well-known and uarongn Park of 1 fi I , sc Fully IBM gi 360K llopp AIUA) arts, %J I ? W ~r, SC 3 with Mononucleosis Wl1hhlgh6 h. If you have or have st 2 weeks, you may 25C Dk for 3 hours of your I Will) high With high SC 2icals. Inc. -? burg Dr Suite 105 with h!S? Ici. S C 29204 I >4-6537 ' With higr With higt ~ f*~y" , > ., <> '' X>- Xf^" WMh higl , \ )' 1 < ,.<, . 'Jr With higl o-vv ,< ';I4iC?v'** ^*) 13 f r I lidays hapjy i & drive. m.w, L 'I " arts-related mbassador they can identify with him." "tli> wnrk<* imn-vf*rh:illv with hand gestures and pantomime, and it works beautifully," he said. "The kids recognize Cocky's expressions, like when he's happy or sad, and in doing so they learn how to express their feelings. "In some eases, he's worked one-onone with withdrawn children, trying to bring them out, and the kids trust him. I hanks to him, we have plenty of success stories ? he's performed a lot of miracles around here. "He's primarily targeted to the younger children, but he's also been a big influence on some of our teenagers, lie's a positive influence on all these kids ? he really cares for them." A death situation is another way Cocky has used his special skills. He's been involved in several of these situations, including last year when he met 3-year-old leukemia victim Crystal Bradshaw. "All she wanted was to meet Cocky," the student said. "He was her hero. She got to meet him the morning of Dec. 4, and she died later that afternoon. That's probably the thing that's affected me most as Cocky. "Things like that make me realize how special this job is. .lust to know Cocky can help somebody forget their problems or relieve some pain ? ever for a minute ? then it's all worth il ? all the heat, the sweat and the hare work." a BbSt- * fflpj, i" JENN lay spirit members of the bell choirs who performed Su ting shared the Christmas spirit with others, me Raleigh, N.C., performed A Christmas Carol las 2 pizzas for the price o< FREE DELIVERY 79< See our coupon oiler anil menu in the Christn )FTEK PC-2 compatible and faster Norton SI rales Ihe SOFTER PC as 70#o last j drives, clock/calendar, eight eipansion slots. 150 wall power supply. system Heady to Run |us1 add IBM compatible software resolution |7?0?348) Hercules compatible monochrome monitor (am resolution 1640x200) HGG color graphics monitor )FTEK XT-20 40K RAM 20MB hard disk. 360K (loppy clock/calendar parallel pri resolution (720x348) Hercules compatible rnonochrume monitor (an resolution (640x200) RGB color graphics monitor )FTEK XT-30S ( HAM 30MB hard disk dual 360K lloppys. clock/calendar, parallel resolution (720x3481 Hercules compatible monochrome monitor (an resolution (640x200) RGB color graphics monitor 3FYEK AT-20 '86 processor. FUll 1MB RAM installed (fast 120ns. no wait state) 360' iel printer port AT style keyboard Faster than IBM AT Norton SI rates i resolution (720i34B) Hercules compatible monochrome monitor (ar i resolution (640x200) RGB color graphics monitor 3FTEK AT-30 Same as AT 20. except 31MB hard disl i resolution (720x348) Hercules compatible monochrome monitor (a i resolution (640x200) RGB color graphics monitor 3FTEK AT-60 Same as AT 30 except 60MB hard ctisl f) resolution If^uuio/ ncn.uui <.uni|ja<iutD ...? h resolution (640x200) RGB color graphics muollor All include one year warranty FCC Class B approved (Business 01 114 Main Street. Columbia Across trom IBM Open Mon Fn SOFTE 20% ( I '. "t ' " -: ': ; ' ' : ^ll" I V i ' jtf Among Cocky's many responsibilitios is appearing at various USC student at the Student Activities Fair on the Russell Hous vv~ U l>i|k hH|H u T" i IFER STEIB/The Gamecock ? eaassesMai nday at the Governor's ^ mbars of Theatre In The t wookend. ^ A. D(S)TS | SuiKli>v.>Decc W T02i a Sunday, Dec? - 5:00 p.m. 1 r one _ _ _ _ _ l ull liquor and w 1-0030 las Magazine1 % $89S er than IBM XT Full 640K HAM dual I ^>S0 ? ffeg#' BSU? H parallel prtnlor porl A! style keyboard be,0,9'erni A real probl $ 1295 s^?u'(inot 'e^ ?r inter ponAI slyle keyboard ? iber or greeni S 0 l_ ?$1595 For $15.00 (regular 25.00) printer porl AI style keyboard fhral/OC \A/honlc flParQ ptr ) nber or grecni SIVCi |ui unuo, onuuiu, <4 "y f| g- any problems during Spring 5p I for FREE until you return f K floppies 11 2MB opliorirfll tloiK/f .ilfiri the SOFTfK A! a!4 ?|IBM AT rales !> 7| "be'?""ee"> \S& 806 Pavillion St. $1995 r?-. -=7Z- ^ mber or gn?en) $19% | r a t/T\ $2395 i I K Any Sandwich 4-dosin^ every day. j 'Ixpircs iii-wi-sr, ! I i MHHMMHMMBMMMMHMHamMHMHi lL ^ 4Kk fb W IK , I "*' !w? ^^HaS^SAikSk KEITH JONES/The Gamecock USC events. Here, ho surprises a e patio. A ?5! Jonate Blood )gether. HgHE! I American J MHH Red Crosw ?"? '"X e open mber 14, 1986 nd anbcr 21, 1986 to 10:00 p.m. ine service availubk s E THEFT 1 em at USC! i campus over the holidays TION: we will TUNE UP your bike i, will repair again for free if semester and will STORE it or Holidays. 254 9797 tESw 1114 College Street ctwccn Assembly & Main (HcImw The Ilorst'shne) ! 799-0916 (GRiWnl I inMHHBBnHunwnnMBH