Brent McCraw hands role to student body vice president 
Walking around the Horseshoe Wednesday evening, Brent McCraw sticks out like a sore thumb.
Known to most only as Mic Man, the Williams-Brice student section's outgoing hollerer-in-chief is drawing stares, dressed to a tee in his recognizable Gamecock getup — perhaps for the last time.
While he's become a gameday staple in half a decade of high-stepping around the end zone, McCraw, 27, has grown up since he took on the role his senior year. He's graduated and married, with a job and — as of last Wednesday — a newborn baby.
So, much to the chagrin of the Gamecock faithful who have become accustomed to him leading Gamecock cheers, McCraw's moving on. But he's passing the baton on to the one of the biggest personalities on campus, Student Body Vice President Chase Mizzell.
Mizzell, who ran unopposed for vice president in the spring, is arguably the highest-profile student on campus, with a daily suit and bow tie so consistent they've inspired a parody Twitter account (@nosuitchase). His motivational speech at First Night Carolina last month grabbed the attention of the cheerleading coaches, who eagerly approached him about the job opening.
But Mizzell's got some large, Gamecock-embroidered shoes to fill.
After all, there's history behind the position.
Along with Cocky and the USC cheerleaders, various figures have led the USC student section for more than 20 years. It's not clear exactly how far back that history goes, but McCraw took up the mantle in 2007.
A fourth-year hotel, restaurant and tourism management student at the time, McCraw and his friends would go to basketball games and try to pump up the crowd on their own.
The Mic Man at football games then was largely unpopular with students, McCraw said. As had been tradition, he wore only a T-shirt and jeans and served less as a mascot and more as a vocal cheerleader.
When that Mic Man stepped down, McCraw's friends encouraged him to try out. After some convincing, he auditioned, with the idea of putting together a costume and creating a character that could be easily identified.
The cheerleading coaches loved the idea and he got the job. But as he'd anticipated, the transition was rough.
"The first year had a lot of struggles," he said. "A lot of people had that (negative) perception of a Mic Man, knowing what was there before."
His costume, a new addition to the role, drew criticism from some as well. Assembled with thrift store items he found over the years, it's evolved over time.
The outfit comprises a suit, bow tie, wig, sunglasses, visor (a nod to coach Steve Spurrier) and a jersey (he used to wear Jasper Brinkley's 52, and when Kenny McKinley died in September of 2010, he donned No. 11, in tribute). Pink socks have made appearances during October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Together, the various pieces make for an eclectic collection as stylishly loud as McCraw's third-down bellow, and at first, it caused quite the stir.
"The (Daily) Gamecock even ripped me a couple times," he said. "They thought I was too over-the-top, that I was crazy and that I was just a poor representation of our university."
But he took it all in stride, and as the years went by and new students came through, he became a fixture on the sideline. McCraw said his attitude was the main factor in the students embracing him.
"Some people may not like me. Some people think I'm crazy or weird or dumb ... but I think people could at least respect that there was passion and enjoyment for what I do," he said.
Ron McGinty, USC's assistant cheerleading coach, credited McCraw's enthusiasm with helping make USC's student section one of the best in the nation.
"Brent did a great job," McGinty said. "He's been with us for quite a few years. He's very high energy; he brought a lot to the game atmosphere. We're hoping Chase is able to pick up right where Brent left off — be the focal point and keep the student section engaged and fired up."
For his part, Mizzell hopes he can emulate what he called a "phenomenal" intensity and spirit for a student section that's become accustomed to it.
"He poured his heart and passion and love for the Gamecocks into the role for five years and set a great example for what a Gamecock fan should be," Mizzell said.
The effect of that passion can't be understated, USC Athletics Director Ray Tanner said. Tanner emphasized the seriousness of the position and the influence Mic Man — via the crowd — can have during a big-time situation.
"Mic Man needs to really understand what's going on on the field," he said. "I think it's an important role and takes an understanding of what's going on in the game. And keeping the students involved — it's a big deal."
Tanner said both the coaches and the players feed off the intensity, something he knows a thing or two about from his experience coaching the back-to-back College World Series–winning baseball team.
"If you could interview any of our players, I assure you they'd tell you we love it. It fires us up," Tanner said.
None as much as McCraw, though.
The memories of the last five years will stay with him forever, especially from exciting upsets against then–No. 4 Ole Miss in 2009 and against then–No. 1 Alabama in 2010.
Though he'll miss having "the best seat in the house," he's looking forward to watching a game from the Williams-Brice Stadium stands with his wife and, eventually, his son.
"I'm not a young guy," McCraw said. "I graduated school in 2007 ... Sometimes people just don't know when to step away. And I just kind of felt like it was time for me."
He shared one last home game — last week against East Carolina — with Mizzell, to introduce Mizzell and get people used to the new presence on stage.
But now McCraw is finished.
Which raises the question: What will happen to the old Mic Man ensemble? Mizzell's working on his own, after all.
"I'm thinking about getting it framed, I think it'd be cool to hang up at my house," McCraw said. "And if my son grows up and goes to USC..."
His voice trailed off, as he gazed pensively down at the bricks of the Horseshoe. Then he looked up, flashing the same grin he's worn for years while leading the wave or doing the "Bernie" with Cocky.
"Who knows?"