Gamecock Club Celebrates Historic Milestones again in 2024

The Gamecock Club proudly reflects on an extraordinary 2024, marked by unprecedented growth, strategic innovations, and transformative community engagement. The year has solidified the Club’s position as a cornerstone of support for University of South Carolina athletics, showcasing remarkable achievements across membership, revenue, and operational excellence.

“This year has been nothing short of remarkable for the Gamecock Club,” said Wayne Hiott, CEO of the Gamecock Club. “Our unprecedented membership growth, innovative engagement strategies, and operational enhancements reflect the passion and commitment of Gamecock Nation. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to providing our members with meaningful experiences and ensuring the continued success of South Carolina Athletics.”

Unprecedented Membership Growth
The Gamecock Club experienced a surge in membership, surpassing 20,000 members for the first time since 2014, representing a 48% growth since 2021. Significant contributions came from aggressive promotions of the Student and Junior Membership programs, driving enormous growth over the past two years.

Youth Movement
The introduction of the Cockpit App in 2023 revolutionized student engagement, leading to a 400% increase in student memberships in 2024. Additionally, the Junior Gamecock Club tripled its membership since 2022, reaching nearly 1,600 young fans. Discounted season ticket programs for Young Alumni and Student Parents continue to foster lifelong Gamecock loyalty, with a notable 9% conversion rate to full-price memberships.

Operational Excellence through Privatization
The Gamecock Club’s transition to a private organization has enhanced operational efficiency, increased staff compensation, and improved retention. Privatization has provided flexibility in NIL fundraising and allowed the organization to adopt competitive bonus structures, ensuring top talent remains within the Club.

Gamecocks+ Expansion
Launched in 2022, Gamecocks+ has become the official storytelling platform for the Gamecocks, offering long-form videos and podcasts. In 2024, over 150,000 unique users engaged with the platform, consuming 5,730 hours of content—an 89% increase from 2023. This initiative organically added 896 new Gamecock Club members, generating over $100,000 in revenue.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The Gamecock Club updated its mission statement and strategic pillars, unveiled during the November leadership retreat, which will guide the Club’s efforts to foster a proud, connected community of Gamecocks.

This historic year is a testament to the passion and dedication of Gamecock Nation. From loyal members who show up rain or shine to the next generation of young fans discovering their love for garnet and black, the heartbeat of the Gamecock Club is its people. As we celebrate these milestones, we recognize that none of this success would be possible without the unwavering support of our community. Together, we are building something truly special—one that honors our tradition, fuels our present, and boldly shapes our future.