Oct. 3, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Athletics Department, in conjunction with the Gamecock Club and My Carolina Alumni Association, invites Gamecock fans to the “Tip-Off Tailgate Party With Gamecock Basketball,” to be held on Oct. 26 at Colonial Life Arena. The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin one hour prior to kickoff of the South Carolina at Missouri football contest.

“The Gamecock Club and My Carolina Alumni Association are excited to work together to bring all Gamecocks together for this exciting day and event,” Gamecock Club director Patrick McFarland said. “I can’t imagine a better way to spend your day than meeting your Gamecock basketball teams and watching the Gamecocks take on Missouri in football…all in one place!”

My Carolina Alumni Association executive director Jack Claypoole echoed those thoughts.

“What a great way to spend a Saturday! The Tip-Off Tailgate Party offers our alumni and friends the chance to celebrate three fantastic Gamecock teams at one time. From our two outstanding basketball teams to Gamecock football – all under one roof with Gamecock Nation – it’ll be the best party in town! We hope you’ll join us!”

The event, which will feature both the Carolina men’s and women’s basketball teams, will begin one hour prior to kickoff of the South Carolina at Missouri football contest that day. Kickoff time on the gridiron is still to be announced. After a fun and interactive hour with the basketball teams, fans can stay at Colonial Life Arena to watch the Missouri football contest on the video board, and enjoy available concessions as they cheer on the Gamecock football squad to victory.

The event will also be an opportunity for fans to purchase and select seats for new season ticket holders. Representatives from the South Carolina basketball season ticket sales team will be on hand throughout the arena to assist fans through the ticket purchase and seat selection process.

The Tip-Off Tailgate Party will feature exciting programming, including scrimmages from both squads, skills competitions such as a 3-point shootout contest, comments to the crowd from Gamecock men’s basketball coach Frank Martin and women’s head coach Dawn Staley, and autograph and photo opportunities for fans.

“This event we are putting together that involves our Alumni Association, the Gamecock Club and our Athletics Department is a new way to embrace our fans with our team and to get to know one another in a way where we can enjoy the moment and create even more interest for the beginning of a new season. It will be exciting to cheer on our Gamecock football team with our great fans,” Martin said.

“Basketball season is almost here, and so much of our success has to do with the people that have supported us,” Staley said. “This event is an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for that support. Fans will get to see how much our team enjoys being with the fans, and they’ll get to see how funny the team is and how excited we are that it’s basketball season. It’s a fun opportunity to see a little basketball and support our football team from afar, so I think the atmosphere is going to be great.”

Fans will also enjoy introductions of both teams and coaching staffs and giveaways such as rally towels and schedule posters for all in attendance. Fans should use the hashtag #TipOffTailgate when spreading the word about the event via social media.

Fans can purchase tickets for both men’s and women’s basketball by visiting www.GamecocksOnline.com/Tickets, or call 1-800-4SC-FANS.