Football season is practically here, and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks are primed and ready to go! If you are a new resident in Columbia, you’re sure to feel an extra surge of energy around town as we count down the days until August 31 — the first USC football game of the 2024 season.
South Carolina College, now the University of South Carolina, was founded in 1801 in an effort to harmonize our state in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War. The campus’s first building, Rutledge, was completed in 1809 in the school’s iconic “Horseshoe” area. The school quickly expanded and flourished until two major setbacks occurred: a fire that devastated Rutledge in 1855 and the beginning of the Civil War. These major historical events were so impactful that the college closed in 1861. It reopened in 1866 as the University of South Carolina, and Reconstruction brought many changes with it, including the first African-American board of trustee members, students, and graduates. In 1895, the first female student was admitted to the school. The 20th century would bring great strides for the university: regional accreditation, U.S. Navy training programs, and a dramatic increase in student enrollment. With its great success and influential work, USC opened campuses throughout the state of South Carolina in the 1950s and 60s, creating opportunities for people in numerous communities.
In the centuries since its inception, USC has exploded into the vibrant, beautiful community that it is today. Take a trip downtown and visit the iconic main campus, featuring both historic and modern architecture in state-of-the-art condition. The McKissick Museum is not to be missed as one of the city’s most breathtaking constructions; it artfully selects and designs exhibits to tell the story of the Southern experience. But perhaps the most beloved aspect of the campus is the Horseshoe, a wide green lawn exquisitely framed by towering oak trees and antebellum buildings. This is a popular spot for student life throughout the USC calendar year.
So many rich components make up the university’s culture. Of course, thousands attend the electric football games every year. Donning their traditional garnet and black fan gear, football enthusiasts revel in the tailgating experience and waves of energy that pass over Williams-Brice Stadium every time “Sandstorm” plays. Every year, the school hosts the “Taste of Carolina” festival in which the staples of Southern food and culture are showcased and enjoyed by all. And everyone loves the school mascot, “Cocky” the fighting Gamecock. The university named the Gamecock its official mascot in 1901, harkening back to General Thomas Sumter, the Revolutionary War soldier so fierce and brave he was eventually dubbed the “Gamecock of the Revolution.”
The school has certainly maintained that persona of bravery and strength through the years. With its stunning campus, cutting-edge educational programs, and welcoming community, you may just want to take a minute to purchase some USC football tickets today. Go Gamecocks!
Written by Rebecca Jenkins
