July 16, 2014

Click HERE For Season Ticket Deposits

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gamecock Athletics has announced the “8K In 8 Days” campaign for men’s basketball, which is aimed at reaching 8,000 fans in the greater Columbia community and the State of South Carolina over the course of eight days, July 22-29. The campaign will lay the foundation of reaching 8,000 season tickets for men’s basketball for the 2014-15 season.

South Carolina ranked 41st in the nation last season in attendance (10,074) and saw the highest per-game increase in the SEC. The Gamecocks ranked sixth in attendance in the league last season, and with the launch of the new pricing structure for men’s basketball season tickets last year, saw a 90 percent season ticket renewal rate.

“I hope Gamecock fans are as excited as we are about this upcoming season,” Gamecock head coach Frank Martin said. “Our marketing department continues to be creative in helping us build an atmosphere second to none inside Colonial Life Arena. The `8K In 8 Days’ campaign is something special to us. Let’s challenge each other and reach our goal of 8,000 season tickets.”

The “8K In 8 Days” campaign kicks off on July 22 with the release of the 2014-15 non-conference schedule via Twitter (@GamecockMBB) with the full release to be posted on GamecocksOnline.com mid-morning. Martin will appear on 107.5 The Game later that afternoon to speak at length on the schedule.

Martin and other team members will take part in several events throughout the campaign. Student-athletes will participate in a Special Olympics event, reach out to season ticket holders through various avenues, attend a session of “Cocky’s Reading Express” at the Richland County Public Library, attend the Richland County Sheriff Future Stars Camp, which is hosted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Leon Lott, and also visit The Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital.

The eight-day initiative will cap with two events beginning on Monday, July 28, with the entire team attending an action-packed day for kids at Fort Jackson and on Tuesday, July 29, with Martin attending Academy Sports + Outdoors’ annual back-to-school donation event at its newest store near the Harbison shopping district.

“I’m excited about this campaign and the initiative for our men’s basketball program,” Athletics Director Ray Tanner said. “Coach Martin, his staff and his student-athletes have embraced our city and our community. What a great time for all of our fans and the City of Columbia to support our men’s basketball program moving forward and to continue to create an electric environment inside Colonial Life Arena.”

“Coach Martin’s involvement and passion for Columbia and communities throughout the State of South Carolina have paved the way for the ‘8K In 8 Days’ campaign,” Gamecock Athletics director of marketing Josh Waters said. “Connecting with 8,000 people over the course of the campaign is not only exciting for the team and the community, but it will also lay the foundation for reaching our goal of 8,000 season tickets, which will continue to build the best home court advantage for our student-athletes and coaches.”

The “8K In 8 Days” campaign will also extend into social media with Twitter Q&As, interactive activities and more. Fans can follow along with the campaign via the official website of South Carolina Athletics, GamecocksOnline.com, and also through social media platforms, on Twitter, @GamecockMBB and @GamecocksOnline, on Instagram at Instagram.com/GamecocksOnline and on Facebook at Facebook.com/GamecocksOnline. Keep up with all the events during the campaign with the hashtag #8K8.

Season ticket prices for the upcoming season remain unchanged from the 2013-14 campaign, with full season packages starting at $90. The Coke Family Section, which includes four season tickets, four T-shirts and four drinks for each game, will continue to be available as well.

Like last season, fans can purchase lower level season tickets for $260 (Gamecock Club membership required for sections 104-106, 113-115) and University faculty and staff can buy tickets for $210. The Coke Family Section is available for $600 (four tickets). Upper level tickets are available for $200 (no Gamecock Club membership required) and faculty and staff can purchase tickets in the upper bowl for $160. End zone seating in the upper level is priced at four seats for $360.

Gamecock fans who have already renewed their season tickets for the 2014-15 campaign and those fans who purchase new or renew their season tickets during the “8K In 8 Days” campaign, are eligible to win a prize each day of the initiative. Prizes include a game-worn jersey, an autographed basketball, and the grand prize, a VIP trip with the team for an away game to an exciting destination.

To place a deposit for season tickets, fans are encouraged to visit GamecocksOnline.com/Tickets, or all 1-800-4SC-FANS. Fans should stay tuned to GamecocksOnline.com for updates on the “8K In 8 Days” campaign.