But South Carolina’s fight song, “The Fighting Gamecocks Lead the Way,” now approaching its 55th anniversary, can still claim to be one of the more distinctive fight songs in the country.

At football games, where South Carolina’s Sandstorm was born, white towels are distributed to the students and others and waved in well-constructed cadence when the song is played.

Dec 19, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in the second half at Colonial Life Arena.

South Carolina also has a costumed character named "Cocky the Gamecock." Cocky represents the Gamecocks, which is the nickname for the university's sports teams.