Founded in 1801, the University of South Carolina is a sprawling campus in Columbia, South Carolina, with a rich history, a high-quality academic program, and a world-class athletic department. When the college opened its doors, it enrolled just nine students. Today, it enrolls over 52,000 students and over 2,000 faculty members.
According to U.S. News’ undergraduate rankings, USC was ranked the best public university in the country for undergraduate experience.
The Fighting Gamecocks, as they were called in 1900, have a passionate fan base that cheers on every team. In the 2023 season, more than 900,000 fans visited Williams-Bryce Stadium to support the football team.
Before games, tailgating takes place at the Cockaboose Railroad, a unique tradition in which 22 caboose cars line the railroad line along the south side of the stadium and offer amenities not experienced by traditional tailgaters, such as running water, electricity, air conditioning, heat and cable television. Tailgating at the Cockaboose Railroad, which has been featured in numerous magazines and television shows, is a milestone in USC football.
As the players prepare to enter the field, “2001: A Space Odyssey” blares from the speakers. The 80,000 fans go wild as the team runs out of the tunnel for the beat drop.
As fans dressed in garnet and black prepare for kickoff, they raise their voices to sing “We Hail Thee Carolina,” USC’s alma mater, written in 1911 by English professor George A. Wauchope. The first verse, set to the tune of “Flow Gently, Sweet Afton” by Robert Burns, is sung at the start of all sporting events. As it does so, fans raise their right hand with cupped fingers as if making a toast and hear the line “Here’s a health, Carolina.”
White towels are raised in the air as the game-opening festivities begin. “Sandstorm” is a tradition that began at a 2009 USC-Ole Miss football game. The late 1990s instrumental by Finnish DJ and record producer Darude was immediately embraced by students and fans when it came out of the speakers and added to their list of beloved traditions.
In total, nine team national championships have been brought to South Carolina, and all have been won in the last 22 years. Since 2010, Gamecock students have brought home 15 individual national championships. Of USC’s 21 athletic programs, 19 have earned at least one top-20 national ranking since 2010, including nine top-25 rankings in the 2023-24 season. Most recently, the women’s basketball team won the 2024 national championship after a grueling March Madness tournament. Recently, the Gamecocks finished 30th in the Learfield Directors’ Cup rankings.
South Carolina, with a long history of both academic and athletic excellence, has plenty of competition as Texas prepares for high-profile competition in the SEC.
