The anticipation of football season has been growing exponentially all summer in the hearts of Gamecock students, and with the first game comes a wave of unwavering school spirit.
With the joys of football come entirely unique sets of social situations designed to proclaim one's love of the team.
Along with the decibels of cheering, the wit of the posters and the sheer knowledge of the sport, the clothing that fans choose to wear to the game is often taken as an indicator for support of the team.
When it comes to "dressing out," there are two main camps at USC: decked out in every article of Gamecocks merchandise ever created or dressed for a Southern garden party.
All across the South, college football is uniquely celebrated with sundresses, pearls, seersucker suits and bow ties.
Many non-Southerners perceive the phenomenon as exclusive to the Greek system.
When asked about attending football games with her Greek organization, Alison Walker, a second-year retail and fashion merchandising student from Texas, said that she dresses in her black cotton dress and garnet jewelry because it's "tradition. The girls before me dressed in black dresses and USC-themed accessories, so I follow in their footsteps."
Caroline Scrantom, a third-year political science student, agreed that "dressing up for football games sets us apart and helps Gamecock football maintain its tradition. It's a classier way to wake up in the morning and support our school for the day and gives us a sense of pride."
However, with only 15 percent of USC's student body involved in social fraternities and sororities, there appears to be more to prim-and-proper dress for the down-and-dirty sport than defined social groups.
"In the East, college football is a cultural exercise. On the West Coast, it is a tourist attraction. In the Midwest, it is cannibalism. But in the South, college football is a religion, and every Saturday is a holy day," said Marino Casem, former chief athletics administrator at Louisiana's Alcorn State University.
On the opposite end of the spectrum from Sabbath attire is second-year athletic training student Dillon Smith.
"I dress in a Troy Williamson jersey, Under Armour shorts, long socks and the garnet wig to top it off. What I wear is about as crazy as I am in the stands. I am the extreme, though," he said.
For third-year business student Matt Torcasso, his gear is a matter of practicality.
"I can appreciate Carolina tradition and dressing up for games, but unlike Carolina Cup, Williams-Brice is a sweaty, jam-packed stadium, and I definitely prefer my football jersey and cargo shorts."
Out-of-state students catch on too.
"It didn't seem like that big of a deal because to me the important thing about supporting the team was attendance, not dress," said first-year international relations student and Ohio native Lisa Splawinski of her native Buckeye State,
So, whether you choose to support the Gamecocks with matching accessories and palmetto-adorned bow ties or covering every inch of exposed skin in garnet body paint, there's no wrong way to go when it comes to supporting the Gamecocks.
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