March 19, 2009

In its biggest push for new members in years, the Gamecock Club will kick off the Carolina Now Tour in the Pee Dee region on April 16th. The first event, to be held in Florence, will feature Coach Steve Spurrier and Coach Darrin Horn.

Sheldon Brown, Gamecock football letterman and current cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles, will serve as the Carolina Now Chairman and will lead the effort to recruit new members for the Gamecock Club.

“Joining the Gamecock Club, providing student-athletes with educational opportunities, and cheering on our Gamecocks is the Garnet Way. I encourage all of Gamecock Nation to seize this opportunity,” said Brown.

For the first time in over a decade, new Gamecock Club members will have the opportunity to purchase football season tickets during their first year of membership. This will give University of South Carolina alumni and other Gamecock fans the chance to make an impact on South Carolina Athletics and enjoy Gamecock Football from their own seats in Williams-Brice Stadium right away.

“Our goal is to continue to grow the Gamecock Club. This year’s opportunity, especially for young alumni, is a unique one because they will be able to purchase season tickets in their first year of membership,” said Gamecock Club Director Patrick McFarland.

The Gamecock Club features various annual giving levels ranging from a Roost member at $55 to a Diamond Spur at $30,000. Benefits vary by giving level, but all members may purchase at least two football season tickets for the 2009 season.

Thanks to more than 11,000 members, the Gamecock Club raises over $12 million annually with 100% of the dollars being used for scholarships for South Carolina student-athletes.

Gamecock fans will be able to join the Gamecock Club at a Carolina Now event and then select their 2009 football season tickets with a Yearly Equitable Seating representative. The Carolina Now Tour will also feature appearances by Athletics Director Eric Hyman, Coach Steve Spurrier, Coach Darrin Horn, and Coach Dawn Staley. Cocky and the South Carolina cheerleaders will also be at each event.

In addition to the Carolina Now Tour events, the Gamecock Club will host five in-state spring meetings and two out of state.

For more information about the Carolina Now Tour or the Gamecock Club Spring Meetings, please contact the Gamecock Club at 803.777.4276.

Carolina Now Tour (All events scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.)
Pee Dee Region (Florence) – April 16th with Coach Spurrier and Coach Horn

Midlands Region (Columbia) – April 21st with Coach Spurrier, Coach Horn and Coach Staley

Charlotte Metro Region (Ft. Mill) – April 28th with Coach Spurrier, Coach Horn and Coach Staley

Up-State Region (Greenville) – April 29th with Coach Spurrier and Coach Horn

Savannah River Region (Aiken) – May 5th with Coach Spurrier and Coach Horn

Grand Strand Region (Myrtle Beach) – May 19th with Coach Spurrier and Coach Staley

Lower State Region (Charleston) – May 20th with Coach Spurrier, Coach Horn and Coach Staley

Atlanta – May 21st with Coach Spurrier

Gamecock Club Spring Meetings Union – April 13th with Coach Brad Lawing
Sumter – April 23rd with Coach Ellis Johnson
Washington, D.C. – April 23rd with Coach Jay Graham
Clarendon – April 27th with Coach Lorenzo Ward
Hilton Head – May 7th with Coach Eric Wolford
Jacksonville – May 11th with Coach Steve Spurrier, Jr.