Support Us Button Widget

Today Is College Colors Day

oliviamclucas.photography_118519908_411066679869962_6582965341554774776_n

Today is College Colors Day. This year’s theme is United We Fan, meant to celebrate the power of college fandom togetherness, even when people are physically apart during COVID-19. Since we only have ~three weeks until football season returns, let’s take a look at how UofSC landed on garnet + black.

So, how do colleges choose their colors? Well, it turns out there isn’t just one way. The Kentucky Wildcats colors were chosen by a student vote. Florida ended up with orange and blue after two schools merged to create UF. Tennessee’s colors were chosen by the university’s Athletics Association President when he saw a cluster of orange + white daisies growing on campus. As for UofSC, garnet + black were chosen because they are the two most dominant colors of the Gamecock. These colors have been used by the Gamecocks since 1892.

Here are a few fast facts about UofSC to get you even more excited about repping garnet + black:

🐔 Cocky won National Mascot of the Year in 1986, 1994, and 2004. Cocky was also ranked no. 7 by Sports Illustrated for greatest mascots in college football history.

🐔 The Sporting News rated UofSC’s “2001" as the most exciting pregame entry in all of college football. Check out the video + get pumped here.

🐔 The Gamecocks participated in the College Baseball World Series in 1981 + 1982 and Cocky was picked as the official mascot of the CWS both years.

🐔 The Gamecocks will be participating in a 10-game conference-only schedule, with the team’s first game slated for Sat., Sept. 26. Game time is just around the corner + we are so excited.

Not sure what Gamecock football will look like this year? Stay tuned for an updated 2020 College Football convo coming soon. And if you want to take your #GamecockPride a step further, you can create a custom wallpaper to rep UofSC here. Show us your #CollegeColors on instagram with #COLAtoday. 📸

Spurs up. 🏈

Quiz

More from COLAtoday
Columbia, SC has 230+ years of history. In this guide, we’re diving into the city’s oldest streets and how they got their names.
This year’s theme, Harvesting Happiness, sets the stage for rides, foods, music, and competitions at the SC State Fair.
If you’re short on time this season, this may just be the perfect solution.
Dining in Columbia is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
From toddlers to retirees, explore local schools and programs that keep Columbians learning and playing music.
Discover Columbia’s late-night dining spots, from Tex-Mex and pizza to pub fare and desserts, perfect for post-11 p.m. cravings.
Check off each of these bucket list items to make the most of the fall season in the Midlands.
Make the most of the cooler weather with this list of the best local events and activities happening this fall.
Oktoberfest is almost here and luckily you don’t have to travel far to join in on the celebrations — we complied seven festivals in the Midlands to break out your lederhosen for.
Do you remember the 21st night of September? Join us on a trip down memory lane to see what was happening in Columbia this week throughout the years.