USC’s Cocky entertains children’s home

While most colleges and universities boast high academic achievements and historic campuses, schools are more commonly associated with their mascots. Those cartoon animals with big feet. You see them at every college sporting event, they’re on t-shirts, hats, mugs and in one image, a mascot represents a university. Every year there is a competition to see who is the nation’s best mascot.

The competition for this year’s CapitalOne Mascot of the Year was fierce. Only twelve mascots were chosen to battle for the right to be called the best. Judges scrutinized the ability for each mascot to perform as well as their attention to community involvement. Then came a chance for fans to participate in a nationwide vote at the CaptialOne Bowl website. After all the numbers were in and scores tabulated, one bird held his oversized head up high, Cocky, the giant gamecock from the University of South Carolina.

All of the fame and attention hasn’t gone to Cocky’s head. He recently took time off from his demanding schedule to visit Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, a place for abused and neglected children.

Cocky is used to having an ego trip, being surrounded by tens of thousands of fans at Williams-Brice Stadium, home of Gamecock football. But when he visited Connie Maxwell in Greenwood, he humbly preformed for the delight of a hundred kids. He was invited to perform and sign autographs at the home’s intramural basketball games.

The crowd began to clap and cheer in the small gymnasium with the rumble and smoke of Cocky’s signature entrance to the theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Cocky burst on the scene with as much enthusiasm as he would for a rivalry game.

The loveable bird excited the all the kids. “He gets everyone riled up and everything, and normally it’s not as hyper as it is now,” said one high school student. Cocky entertained during timeouts and halftime. He even got to referee a game and play in another. An autograph session filled the gym’s lobby as dozens of kids wanted the chance to meet their new best friend.

A little boy named Matthew, who was covered head to toe with Gamecock clothing stood in awe of the giant bird. As he looked his hero up and down, he laughed at Cocky’s “big shoes.” But no moment was better for Matthew than when two large hands reached down for a hug.

Miller Murphy, the Director of Communications for Connie Maxwell, arranged for Cocky to come and spend time with the students. Murphy, a Carolina graduate proudly said, “Cocky may be the National Mascot of the year, but he’s Connie Maxwell’s mascot too. I can’t say enough about what that bird did tonight for us.” He could see the visit brightened the evening for the kids as they bombarded Cocky with hugs at every chance.

When the evening was over no child was as disappointed as Cocky was. In his dressing room, covered in sweat, he humbly smiled, “I didn’t want to leave.”

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AndrewMurphy

Andrew Murphy is a 22 year old journalism student from Charleston, South Carolina. He has been in broadcasting for more than five years. He got his start at WCRS Radio in Greenwood, South Carolina as a DJ, producer and director. One of his current jobs is working with the USC Scoreboard Video Crew. Andrew is looking forward to December of this year; he will graduate and marry the love of his life, Sarah.