Saturday's game between South Carolina and Jacksonville State will feature Gameco*ck-on-Gameco*ck violence in Williams-Brice Stadium.
That is, of course, because both teams proudly sport the name "Gameco*cks." South Carolina (2-6, 1-5 in SEC play) needs to win its four remaining games to become bowl-eligible, and will look to end its four-game losing skid to a strong Jacksonville State squad (7-2, 5-1 CUSA) that is coming off a 41-16 victory over Florida International in Week 9.
Regardless, the rare meeting of teams with the same nickname (not including Tigers, Bulldogs or Wildcats) raises the question: Why do the University of South Carolina sports teams go by the name "Gameco*ck?"
The name originated on the battlefield centuries ago during the American Revolution. General Thomas Sumter, a prominent South Carolina militia leader during the American Revolutionary War, earned the nickname "The Fighting Gameco*ck" due to his military tactics.
Those tactics, along with his love for the sports of co*ckfighting, that led to the use of the Gameco*ck as a symbol for South Carolina. South Carolina's football stadium, Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, is just 44 miles away from the town of Sumter, named after the army general.
South Carolina later became the Gameco*cks in 1902 due in part to the age-old feud with the Clemson Tigers. According to a 2020 report from the University of South Carolina, a 12-6 upset victory over the Tigers that year was the catalyst that directly led to the nickname: It broke a four-game skid in the series, and South Carolina fans proceeded to run around with a drawing of a gameco*ck crowing over a beaten tiger.
The drawing was then hoisted through a parade after the win the folowing day, prompting Clemson, originally a military school, and a couple hundred cadet corps to march onto South Carolina's campus in hopes of destroying the drawing, according to a newspaper account of the scene.
The student bodies of the two schools nearly came to battle with knives and pistols at the ready before police defused the situation and ordered the drawing to be destroyed. South Carolina cheered on as the paper was burnt, newspapers began to label South Carolina as such, and the name has stuck ever since.
A gameco*ck is a type of domesticated rooster selectively bred for its aggressive and territorial nature, primarily for participation in co*ckfighting, a sport now banned in many countries.
What is South Carolina's mascot?
South Carolina has a live mascot named Sir Big Spur, with the latest iteration named Sir Big Spur VII. The original mascot, an Old English Black Breasted Red Fighting Gameco*ck of the same name, made his debut in 1999. He briefly had a name change in 2022 to "The General" — an homage to Sumter — based on a dispute the bird's past and present owners. The name change only lasted a few days following a resolution between the two parties, and the Sir Big Spur moniker stuck.
South Carolina also has a costumed character named "co*cky the Gameco*ck." co*cky represents the Gameco*cks, which is the nickname for the university's sports teams.
South Carolina's matchup in Week 10 against Jacksonville State will mark the first time the two teams square off on the gridiron. So whoever wins on Saturday will enjoy the inaugural battle of the "Gameco*cks."
South Carolina was the site of many battles during the American Revolution and the Civil War. The state probably got its nickname, the "Palmetto State," during the Revolutionary War. Colonists at Fort Moultrie, a small fort built from the wood of palmetto trees, defeated a British fleet near Charleston in 1776.
South Carolina was the site of many battles during the American Revolution and the Civil War. The state probably got its nickname, the "Palmetto State," during the Revolutionary War. Colonists at Fort Moultrie, a small fort built from the wood of palmetto trees, defeated a British fleet near Charleston in 1776.
The gameco*cks (not to be confused with game birds), are specially bred and conditioned for increased stamina and strength. Male and female chickens of such a breed are referred to as gamefowl. co*cks possess congenital aggression toward all males of the same species.
Who Was Thomas Sumter. The Sumter National Forest was named for Thomas Sumter, leader of rebel partisan forces in the South Carolina piedmont during the American Revolution. Sumter was nicknamed the "Gameco*ck" because of his strong resolve and aggressive fighting style.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Named for Charles II of England, the same as its sister State, North Carolina. (See North Carolina.) SOUTH DAKOTA: From Sioux Indian name meaning “allies.” (See North Dakota.)
In 1900, the football team was first referred to as the "Gameco*cks" by The State newspaper. The nickname was a reference to the fighting tactics of General Thomas Sumter, the Revolutionary War hero known as the Fighting Gameco*ck.
South Carolina has a live mascot named Sir Big Spur, with the latest iteration named Sir Big Spur VII. The original mascot, an Old English Black Breasted Red Fighting Gameco*ck of the same name, made his debut in 1999.
The old owners owned the rights to the name Sir Big Spur and now refuse to renew the contract on the basis of they feel that the rooster with the comb is not a proper representation of a gameco*ck. As a result, the rooster's name will now have to change moving forward.
How South Carolina got its name: King Charles I of England granted the land on which South Carolina is located to Sir Robert Heath in 1629. The region was named Carolus, a word derived from the Latin form of Charles, in reference to King Charles.
The State's two mottos surround the two ovals. On the left is "Animis Opibusque Parati", meaning Prepared in Mind and Resources. On the right, "Dum Spiro Spero", meaning While I Breathe I Hope.
The Gameco*ck is the symbol for University of South Carolina athletics. The Gameco*ck may appear alone or in combination with the traditional Block C. Use of the Block C and Gameco*ck logo must be approved by the Trademark Licensing Office.
noun. someone who is a very fierce fighter. synonyms: hell-kite, hell-rooster. type of: battler, belligerent, combatant, fighter, scrapper. someone who fights (or is fighting)
Conclusion. While the beauty and charm of South Carolina is highly attractive, there are creatures throughout the state that pose a danger to humans. The 3 most dangerous are the alligator, the coral snake, and the cottonmouth snake.
The Whitetail Deer was designated the State Animal by Act Number 1335 of 1972. The whitetail deer has a reddish-brown coat in the spring and summer and turns to a grey-brown throughout the fall and winter.
In 1872, the Senate and House of Representatives of South Carolina enacted legislation establishing a college and institute of Mechanical Arts at Orangeburg in connection with Claflin University, to be named the South Carolina Agricultural College and Mechanical Institute.
The Carolinas were known as the Province of Carolina during America's early colonial period, from 1663 to 1712. Prior to that, the land was considered part of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, from 1609 to 1663.
Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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