September 3, 2014
Spurs & Feathers • 25
Aiken County ready for season by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
“We pretty much keep the same format and Over the summer, Fulmer and his wife Kathy get a lot of the same folks coming out. A lot of got to use their barbecue skills as well - the people are talking about it and once a year ev- Fulmers are part of the award-winning tailThe Aiken County Gamecock Club provided erybody knows it’s going to happen. They love gate team the Ultimate Tailgaters - to feed the a family-friendly Kickoff Party to start the fall coming out and doing it,” Fulmer continued. Gamecock football team. He said they got to season with strong attendance. Some of the more family- and kid-oriented know Director of Football Nutrition Joey Blake “It’s a great crowd and we always have good features were a magic show by Franko the Ma- through working a party for Director of Footsupport. It obviously helps beating Clemson gician and an appearance from ball Strength & Conditioning Joe and winning the Capital One Bowl. We have fan favorite Cocky. Connolly. great support here in Aiken and I love seeing “We’ve got the big magic show “Joey really enjoyed the food and everybody bring their kids out. We try to make and we want to make it familysaid ‘I need to get you up here to it family-oriented,” chapter president Chris oriented. I know it’s expensive to feed the team.’ I thought he was Fulmer said. “We don’t charge any admission, do things now days and we want joking because with him being the it’s all free. If you want to buy some raffle tick- people to bring out their kids. A nutritionist, how nutritious is barets they’re available. We sell some sandwiches lot of times kids can’t see Cocky, becue, but he said they like to once to try and make a little money, but we try to so it’s a great chance for kids to in awhile mix it up and blow it out make it’s family friendly.” see Cocky,” Fulmer said. “This is for the players,” Fulmer explained. A special guest at the Aug. 25 event was a great chance to see Cocky and “So we actually got to come up South Carolina’s live mascot, Sir Big Spur, who get pictures taken. There’s probthere and they enjoyed it. We did a is a live gamecock who resides in Aiken and is ably going to be a dozen Christphoto by brian hand bunch of pulled pork and barbecue owned by Ron Albertelli and Mary Snelling. mas cards with pictures taken chicken, smoked sausage, baked “Sir Big Spur is here,” Fulmer said of the here tonight with Cocky. So that’s neat.” beans and macaroni and cheese. They pigged minor changes to the event. “I think we’ve had Recently Fulmer help to host the Aiken out. I’ll tell you those guys can really eat. him a couple of times before, but it’s been three County Carolina/Clemson Golf Classic at “It’s pretty interesting watching how he takes or four years. We’ve got Sir Big Spur out, we Houndslake Country Club. He said there was care of them … it’s amazing how about every have Spurs & Feathers here to come speak, but a great turnout of about 100 players, 25 teams, player had certain guidelines. There were some you know we don’t change too much. If it ain’t that was successful enough that Fulmer said players that he wanted to gain weight and they broke, don’t fix it. they will hold it again next year. could get two plates. He pretty much knew
their weight within a pound or two, so that’s pretty cool seeing them get really technical with the kids not only with weightlifting and working out, but also with the nutrition aspect. You can tell it when you see the players because they’re lean and looking good,” Fulmer expounded. Fulmer said that he hopes to get to feed the team again, but he is looking forward to heading to all the games this year and setting up his tailgate saying, “we’re looking forward to a great season and we’ll be at all 12, 13, 14, hopefully all 15 of them so we can go all the way.” Fulmer said there was plenty of excitement at the kickoff party and everyone was counting down until the season kicks off. “We’re looking forward to it and it’s looking to be another promising season. They’ve had continued success and it’s been a heck of a run, so hopefully they can keep it going,” Fulmer said. “Of course as successful as the football team has been recently, it kind of goes hand in hand. Everybody is excited and it’s kind of like a pep rally before the first game where we just have a lot of fun.” To learn more about the Aiken County Gamecock Club, like them on Facebook for updates.