It’s Renewal Time Gamecock Club has big plans for new, returning members By Brian Hand | Contributing writer • Photo by Jenny Dilworth
G
amecock Club Executive Director Patrick McFarland knows it is incredibly important, but he also knows that you can never have enough as well. “We need as much support as we can get,” McFarland told Spurs & Feathers. “We can never have too many Gamecock Club members. If anybody is interested in joining the Gamecock Club, we will certainly welcome them with open arms because we are never going to turn anybody away, that’s for sure.” It is officially renewal time for all Gamecock Club members with the 2019 Gamecock Club renewal deadline slated for Thursday, Jan. 31. “We certainly hope everyone renews by the 31st,” McFarland said. “We will be calling personally along with sending emails because
it is very important this year, as it is always, that we have as many people remain members and join the Gamecock Club as possible.” The annual Gamecock Club Renewal Day celebration will be held on Jan. 31 at the Rice Athletics Center at 1304 Heyward St. in Columbia. Just as in the past, the Gamecock Club will have 107.5 The Game in attendance with Jay Philips and Tommy Moody hosting the “Halftime Show” from 1-4 p.m. at the Rice Athletics Center. “I hope people will be able to tune in during the 1 p.m.-4 p.m. time period and hear some of our coaches and administrators talk about the importance of the Gamecock Club and the importance of what our Gamecock Club members do for our programs,” McFarland
“The best dishwasher we’ve ever tested.”
FT8-1757649-1
– Reviewed.com, Best of Year awards
6
GAMECOCK CLUB • RENEWAL TIME
said. “Obviously people are also welcome to come in and renew in person, but everyone can also call us and visit us online as well.” One of the things that separates South Carolina athletics from others is the generosity of its coaches and staff. In fact, McFarland notes that “one of the things we have that not everyone does is that our coaches are also members of the Gamecock Club.” Leading up to Renewal Day and throughout the month of January, Gamecock fans also will see coaches and staff on social media reminding them of the importance of the Gamecock Club. “We have really good participation from our coaches and staff reminding people on social media that it is time for renewals,” McFarland said. “Their message to our fans is just thanking Gamecock Club members and letting them know how much we truly appreciate their efforts and what it means to Gamecocks everywhere.” Once again, McFarland knows that this renewal day is maybe more important than many before in that the costs for being successful in the SEC and nationally is not going down anytime soon. “The cost of attendance is not going to go down, plus facility upgrades and new facilities in some cases is extremely important to providing our student-athletes the tools needed to succeed in all facets, including the classroom and in
competition,” McFarland said. In addition to helping the Gamecocks be successful in all avenues, another great reason to be a member of the Gamecock Club is the opportunity to be a part of facilities tours. McFarland knows this year that many would especially love to have that opportunity due to the addition of the Cyndi and Kenneth Long Family Football Operations Center. “We’re going to be announcing our facility tour dates in the very near future, so Gamecock Club members should definitely stay tuned to our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information,” McFarland said. “We will have those dates out soon. Those dates will include tours of the Long Family Football Operations Center. We know people are excited to tour the new first-class facility.” McFarland also teased that Gamecock Club members are in for a special treat this spring with more information to be made available in the future in regards to the 2019 Spurs Up Tour. “The only thing I can tell you — and we are excited about this — is that we will have nine different locations this year, which is the most we have had in a long time. We are really looking forward to getting on the road with Coach Muschamp.” To renew, join or learn more about the Gamecock Club, visit thegamecockclub.com. January 2019