South Carolina Athletics Names Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty the “Official Vet of Sir Big Spur”
South Carolina’s live mascot is in good hands for the foreseeable future as the Gamecocks, in conjunction with athletic multimedia rights holder Gamecock Sports Properties, have announced a new multi-year partnership with Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty (CVETS) which names the locally-based 24-hour emergency vet & animal hospital the “Official Vet of Sir Big Spur.”
The preferred emergency vet & animal hospital of pet parents throughout Columbia and surrounding areas, CVETS offers 24-hour emergency care, advanced anesthesia and numerous specialty services with an emergency and specialty location in Northeast Columbia and an urgent care location in West Columbia. Their partnership with USC Athletics makes them the first official sponsor of a live mascot in college athletics.
“We are thrilled to partner with Sir Big Spur and Gamecock Athletics,” said Dr. Mike Schlicksup, CEO and co-owner of CVETS. “As a locally owned veterinary hospital, supporting our community and its traditions is incredibly important to us. This partnership with such an iconic symbol of Gamecock pride allows us to combine our passion for veterinary care with our love for South Carolina sports. We’re very excited to be working with Sir Big Spur and to be part of the Gamecock family.”
As part of the partnership, CVETS will serve as the game sponsor of multiple “Bark in the Park” nights per year for home baseball games at Founders Park, where branded giveaways will be available for Gamecock fans and furry friends.
Other partnership assets include digital and static in-venue signage across multiple sports, including on Sir Big Spur’s Perch and Cocky-boose, as well as premium placement on USC’s official athletics website, GamecocksOnline.com. Additionally, USC Athletics social media accounts will run a series of videos featuring the pets of Gamecock coaches, while Sir Big Spur will also appear in CVETS social media videos.
“We’re excited to bring CVETS into the Gamecocks family,” said Nick Kistler, General Manager of Gamecocks Sports Properties. “They provide a wonderful service for our community’s closest companions and we look forward to partnering with them to provide a platform that will expand their reach to care for family pets all around Columbia.”
Gamecock Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield – the media and technology company powering college athletics – is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for South Carolina Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Gamecocks.
About CVETS
CVETS (Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty) stands as a beacon of veterinary excellence, founded by Dr. Mike Schlicksup (DVM, DACVS-SA) and Dr. Tracy Schlicksup (DVM, DABVP). Their mission is to provide the most advanced veterinary treatments with compassionate care, delivered by unparalleled professionals who embody a family-oriented approach to pet well-being. Operating from two strategic locations in the Midlands, CVETS ER & Specialty in Northeast Columbia offers 24/7 emergency services and specialties like surgery, neurology, and oncology. Visit CVETS.net or call (803) 995-8913 for more information.
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
