All hail, Cock Commander!


Sir Big Spur or Cock Commander?

Sir Massive Spur or Cock Commander?
Picture: Getty Pictures

Rule 1 of naming something faculty mascot associated: by no means give the general public any say on the matter.

Beth and Van Clark — the house owners of the rooster previously often known as Sir Massive Spur, the College of South Carolina’s reside mascot — are studying this the laborious means as they give the impression of being to provide their fowl a brand new title. The rooster previously often known as Sir Massive Spur shall be debuting a brand new title in 2022 because of an argument between the fowl’s unique house owners — Mary Snelling and Ron Albertelli.

In keeping with The Put up and Courier, the 2 have been troubled after they handed their duties of caring for Sir Massive Spur VII to Beth and Van. Principally, with their first alternative to look after South Carolina’s mascot, one in every of their first choices was to permit Sir Massive Spur VII to take care of his comb, the crimson crest above the rooster’s head. The comb acts as a means for the rooster to chill down, which is important if the fowl is to be current at a number of South Carolina sporting occasions, for the reason that warmth can get insufferable some months. Snelling and Albertelli didn’t admire the Clarks’ resolution. The fowl’s former house owners claimed that clipping the comb was obligatory to ensure that Sir Massive Spur VII to extra signify the College of South Carolina’s namesake — a preventing gamecock — since preventing chickens often have their combs clipped off earlier than the combat.

That’s a silly motive although. For one, that’s principally animal cruelty given the circumstances the fowl should face at South Carolina house video games all year long (and let’s be sincere, it’s animal cruelty regardless), and I’m shocked this wasn’t extra of an issue with Sir Massive Spurs I by way of VI. Two, the massive gamecock statue in entrance of Williams-Brice stadium depicts a gamecock…with its comb nonetheless intact. So, clarify to me how reducing off the comb would misrepresent the college when the college itself proudly shows a rooster, with an unclipped comb, to everybody who visits their soccer stadium. The college’s mascot, Cocky, additionally depicts a gamecock with a comb.

That is all inappropriate, although. Principally, as a result of combat between the present and former house owners, the rooster have to be renamed. The Clarks don’t know the way they’re going to take action although. They’ve floated a couple of names round, and have even thought-about a fan vote. Properly, after an area newspaper ran a fan vote on-line, I can say with full confidence, the Clarks ought to in all probability not go that route.

The State, a newspaper based mostly in Columbia, South Carolina, listed a number of potential new names for the fowl on their web site, starting from ‘Cluck Norris’ to ‘Coop’ and ‘Brooster’. They in all probability thought the vote can be an in depth battle between two or three names. Clearly, this may haven’t any bearing on what the Clarks (and the College of South Carolina, which is guiding the method of choosing a brand new title) would find yourself naming their fowl in the long term, however on the very least, it might give some perception as to what Gamecock followers would really like. Properly, it seems the individuals have spoken, and ‘Cock Commander’ is the runaway favourite with a staggering 79 % of the vote.

‘Cock Commander’ has acquired 12,373 whole votes, whereas the runner-up, ‘Cluck Norris’, has acquired solely 5 % of the vote or 802 whole tallies. We acquired an actual nail biter on our fingers it appears.

Now, clearly, ‘Cock Commander’ is an unimaginable title, however not for the explanation’s the college needs. The college in all probability thought they have been protected after naming their costumed mascot ‘Cocky’, however no. They have been removed from protected.

It simply goes to point out, when the chance to rename a beloved public determine is given to the general public, the outcomes will at all times be comical. Meme culture is just too massive these days. Bear in mind in 1981, when UC Santa Cruz grew to become a Division III college? The college’s athletic officers needed their staff title to be the Sea Lions, however the college students ran an enormous marketing campaign to alter the title to…the Banana Slugs. Why the college has maintained that mascot to at the present time, I don’t know. Principally, in order for you a legit nickname or mascot, by no means give 18-23 yr olds with a ton of faculty spirit the chance to make that call for you. They’ll at all times, ALWAYS, select the title that makes them snigger.