24 • Spurs & Feathers
September 14, 2016
Tradition continues with successful Aiken Gamecocks kickoff event by brian hand Executive Editor For Patrick McFarland and the Gamecock Club it’s an annual tradition. The Gamecock Club executive director always looks forward to the annual event because he knows it’s going to be a great time, but also because he knows it means it is gameweek for Gamecock football. “It’s an Aiken County Gamecocks tradition when you come to this event you know kickoff is just a few days and hours away,” McFarland said. “You know it’s here. We always enjoy coming to this be-
cause it truly is a Gamecock tradition.” This year’s Aiken County Gamecock Club Kickoff Party was held the evening of Monday, Aug. 29, at the Aiken County Shrine Club. The evening billed as “bring the whole family” was definitely just that as the packed house of Gamecocks of all ages had the opportunity to hang out and take pictures with Cocky and the South Carolina cheerleaders. In addition, the evening featured the BBQ of the national collegiate tailgating championship-winning Ultimate Tailgaters and a raffle for many Gamecock
photo by brian hand
prizes. As he always is for the annual event, “Franko the Magician,” was also on site
to provide a top-notch magic show for the numerous children in attendance. The family atmosphere is something the Aiken Gamecocks go out of their way to provide at the event according to Aiken Gamecocks president Chris Fulmer. “I just think it’s a fun kind of like a pep rally the week of the game, and this year with it being a road game a lot of people obviously aren’t able to get up there, so this is their way of kind of getting the football year started,” Fulmer said before adding, “we never charge admission. We try to make it as easy for a family to come out and have a good a time as possible.”
Lancaster has strong football contingent at kickoff event by kyle heck Reporter Several former South Carolina football stars converged on The Moose Club to help the Lancaster Gamecocks celebrate the start of the football season on Monday, Aug. 1. Langston Moore, Travelle Wharton and Fran Person all came out to speak to those in attendance, and with the football opener against Vanderbilt exactly a month away at the time, it was clear that they were ready for football. “We like to do this and pay our Gamecock people back,” said Joe Grier, president of the Lancaster Gamecocks. “I think we had a good crowd, and we’re tickled to death about that.”
photo by kyle heck
A capacity crowd of around 100 people were on hand to listen to the trio of former Gamecock stars talk about the team, and how much the support from the Gamecock Club meant to them while they were in school.
“To come back out and see the support of the fans, they’re like family,” Wharton said. “Their support is tremendous.” The former student-athletes also remember how much Gamecock Nation supported them on the field as well. “Gamecock fans have always been the best fans,” Person said. “They’re always there when we’re good and when we’re bad.” Moore took questions from the crowd, and was asked about a game against Arkansas early in his career where he had multiple sacks. Moore joked around about it, but he was pleased that there were those who remember specific games from nearly 20 years ago. “It’s always great to come out here and listen to some of the fans who know the
old history too,” Moore said. “Calling out old games and different things. Nothing more than we expect when we go out here and visit these Gamecock Clubs because obviously these are true diehard fans and we have a great time connecting.” At the end of the dinner and speeches, two season tickets were raffled off. The fundraiser goes a long way to allowing the Lancaster Gamecocks to send support back to the Gamecock Club, and Grier was thankful for the appearances by Moore, Wharton and Person. “We had a good draw, and everyone came out to see them all,” Grier said. “I’m glad everyone had a good time. That’s the main thing. We just want to get the season started so we can all have a good time.”
Collaboration with rival shows Aiken Gamecocks are a special group by brian hand Executive Editor It’s unique, but at the same time that’s what makes it special. And Gamecock Club executive director Patrick McFarland made the trip to Aiken County to support the event because he knows just how hard area president Chris Fulmer and the Aiken Gamecocks work to have topnotch events like the annual South Carolina/ Clemson Aiken County Golf Classic on Friday, Aug. 12, at Woodside Plantation Country Club.
“It’s always great to be in Aiken for quality events like this,” McFarland told Spurs & Feathers. “It’s unique to have both South Carolina and Clemson working so closely together for a common goal, but it also just shows how special the Aiken Gamecocks really are.” Fulmer knows it is a little different to work with Clemson, but he also appreciates how well the two rivals come together for the great cause. “We’re fortunate here in Aiken,” Fulmer said. “We’ve got a good group of folks, and we’ve got two very rabid fan bases here in Carolina and Clemson. The money is going for
a good cause, so that’s why we’re out here.” Woodside Plantation Country Club was thrilled to be able to host an event like the South Carolina/Clemson Aiken County Golf Classic that benefits the rival universities since it helps with their community involvement and much more. “It definitely is good exposure and shows community support,” Woodside Plantation Country Club assistant golf professional Aaron Solomon said. “There’s always growth also for potential membership, but putting our face out there and getting the community more involved definitely helps. With the facilities
we’ve got and everything to showcase what we can do can only grow participation as well as help us on the membership side of things. It’s hand-in-hand with the events we have, especially like this one where we do have some members with us, but we also have a lot of guests. It’s a growth thing for us.” Solomon in general stood out on the day for his support of one of the two universities as he was sporting a garnet Gamecock Under Armour polo. Was that by design on a day with both fan bases in attendance? “Absolutely,” Solomon said.