Aug. 24, 2012

An extension of the “Gamecock Walk” is just one of a collection of attractions planned to enhance the South Carolina football tailgating experience in 2012, Gamecock officials announced today.

Gamecock fans will form a human corridor to celebrate the Carolina football team’s arrival at Williams-Brice Stadium. Led by head coach Steve Spurrier, the “Gamecock Walk” will commence between the South Premium parking lot and Quad 2 of the former Farmers’ Market, and stretch along the sidewalk through the grand entryway and across Bluff Road to the stadium.

The University of South Carolina band, also known as “The Mighty Sound of the Southeast,” along with the cheerleaders, Cocky, and the Carolina Girls, will lead Gamecock Country in ushering the team into the stadium. Once the team has completed its walk, the entire band will parade the full length of the grass center area, known as the “Garnet Way,” ending with a high-energy pep rally featuring the spirit squads.

A bigger and more interactive fan fest is also on tap. The Lexington Medical Center Gamecock Village, which will open four and a half hours prior to kick, will include live music, photo opportunities with Cocky, a spacious merchandise location, kids’ inflatable games, interactive sponsor displays, a TV viewing area to watch other games of interest, and the live pregame radio show on the IMG College Gamecock Radio Network.

Season tickets and mini plans are still available through the official website of South Carolina Athletics, www.gamecocksonline.com.

Sample Countdown Timeline to Kick-off:

4:30 to kickoff Lexington Medical Center Gamecock Village opens

3:30 to kickoff Live music begins

2:30 to kickoff Concocktion pep band performs for Gamecock Walk

2:20 to kickoff Gamecock Walk

2:10 to kickoff Live music resumes

1:45 to kickoff Band parade along the Garnet Way

1:25 to kickoff Band and spirit squads pep rally adjacent to Lexington Medical Center Gamecock Village

1:10 to kickoff Band marches across street and directly into stadium

1:05 to kickoff Live music resumes

1:00 to kickoff Cocky Photo opportunities

:30 to kickoff Lexington Medical Center Gamecock Village closes

:00 Kickoff