South Carolina Gamecocks
| South Carolina Gamecocks | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| University | University of South Carolina |
| Conference |
Southeastern Conference |
| NCAA | Division I / FBS |
| Athletic director | Ray Tanner |
| Location | Columbia, South Carolina |
| Varsity teams | 19 |
| Football stadium | Williams-Brice Stadium |
| Basketball arena | Colonial Life Arena |
| Baseball stadium | Carolina Stadium |
| Other arenas |
Stone Stadium (soccer) Beckham Field (softball) |
| Mascot | Cocky |
| Nickname | Gamecocks |
| Fight song | The Fighting Gamecocks Lead the Way |
| Colors | Garnet and Black |
| Website | gamecocksonline |
The University of South Carolina's varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". This unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a Revolutionary War hero from South Carolina who was nicknamed the "Carolina Gamecock" after British General Banastre Tarleton said Sumter "fought like a gamecock." While the men's teams were traditionally the Fighting Gamecocks and the women were previously 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.
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. Men's soccer competes in Conference USA and women's beach volleyball competes in the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association because the SEC does not sponsor those sports.
South Carolina usually calls itself "Carolina," "USC," or "SC" in athletics, causing some confusion with the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Southern California Trojans. Sports networks often use the abbreviation "SCAR" during their coverage of Gamecocks sports; however, some, such as ESPN or Yahoo Sports, use "SC".
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.
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