Oct. 21, 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 THIS Saturday, Oct. 26, at Colonial Life Arena. The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin with doors open at 5:30 p.m.. Fans are encouraged to enter at the main entrance at the Arena, while South Carolina students should enter at the College Street entrance with their Carolina Card.

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, scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m. ET. 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.

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, a 3-point shootout contest, comments to the crowd from Gamecock men’s head coach Frank Martin and women’s head coach Dawn Staley, and autograph and photo opportunities for fans.

Students in attendance will receive double rewards points (two points), and if 2,000 or more students attend, the rewards points awarded for the event will be doubled to four. Free food will be available, and the new official student section T-shirt will be provided for the first 2,000 students.

Additionally, one lucky student will be randomly selected from the crowd to attempt a half-court shot to win $10,000 in cash. Men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin will also make a special announcement to students who attend the event as well as all of his team’s home non-conference games this season.

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.