View source for South Carolina Gamecocks

{{Short description|Intercollegiate sports teams of the University of South Carolina}}
{{Infobox college athletics
| name                    = South Carolina Gamecocks
| logo                    = South Carolina Gamecocks Block C logo.svg
| logo_width              = 150
| university              = [[University of South Carolina]]
| association             = NCAA
| conference              = [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] (primary)<br>[[Sun Belt Conference|Sun Belt]] (men's soccer)<br>[[Coastal Collegiate Sports Association]] (beach volleyball)
| division                = [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] ([[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|FBS]])
| director                = [[Jeremiah Donati]]
| location                = [[Columbia, South Carolina]]
| first season            =
| teams                   = 21
| mens_teams              = 9
| womens_teams            = 12
| coed_teams              = 
| stadium                 = [[Williams-Brice Stadium]]
| basketballarena         = [[Colonial Life Arena]]
| baseballfield           = [[Founders Park]]
| softballstadium         = Carolina Softball Stadium
| soccerstadium           = [[Eugene E. Stone III Stadium (Columbia)|Eugene E. Stone III Stadium]]
| tenniscourt             = Carolina Tennis Center
| volleyballarena         = Carolina Volleyball Center
| arena2                  = Wheeler Beach (beach volleyball)
| mascot                  = [[Cocky (mascot)|Cocky]] (official)<br>Sir Big Spur (live)<br>Big Spur (previous)
| nickname                = ''Gamecocks''
| fightsong               = "The Fighting Gamecocks Lead the Way"<ref name="GamecockTraditions">{{cite web|title=Gamecock Traditions|url=http://www.gamecocksonline.com/trads/scar-trads.html|publisher=South Carolina Gamecocks|access-date=February 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317195623/http://www.gamecocksonline.com/trads/scar-trads.html|archive-date=March 17, 2017}}</ref>
| pageurl                 = https://gamecocksonline.com/
| ncaa titles             = 
| indiv_relay ncaa champs = 
| altlogo = [[file:USC baseball logo.svg|100px]]
}}

[[File:SEC logo in South Carolina colors.svg|thumb|150px|SEC logo in South Carolina's colors]]

The '''South Carolina Gamecocks''' represent the [[University of South Carolina]] in the [[NCAA Division I]].

The University of South Carolina uses "[[Gamecock]]s" as its official nickname and mascot.  While the men's teams were traditionally known as the '''Fighting Gamecocks''' and the women's teams were previously known as the '''Lady Gamecocks''', this distinction was discontinued in part to eliminate any gender bias in the athletic department and in part to counter misconceptions about the gamecock mascot endorsing [[bloodsport]].<ref name="GamecockTraditions" />

All of the university's varsity teams compete at the [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] level of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]], and all but men's [[soccer]] and women's [[beach volleyball]] compete in the [[Southeastern Conference]].<ref name="SCAR History">{{cite web|title=South Carolina Athletics History|url=http://www.gamecocksonline.com/trads/scar-history.html|publisher=South Carolina Gamecocks|access-date=February 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127193137/http://www.gamecocksonline.com/trads/scar-history.html|archive-date=January 27, 2017}}</ref> Men's soccer competes in the [[Sun Belt Conference]] and women's beach volleyball competes in the [[Coastal Collegiate Sports Association]] because the SEC does not sponsor those sports.

The athletic department is supported with private money from the Gamecock Club. It was originally formed as the B.A.M. ("Buck-A-Month") Club in 1939 and 1940 to benefit the athletic programs from privately raised funds.<ref>{{cite book | first = Henry H. | last = Lesesne | title = A History of the University of South Carolina, 1940–2000 | year = 2001 | publisher = University of South Carolina Press | page = 66}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://thegamecockclub.com/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=TheGamecockClub.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

The university's athletic programs have earned eleven national team titles and produced many [[Olympic Games|Olympians]]. Gamecock fans are known for their passion – sportscaster [[Tim Brando]] was quoted as saying, "You won't find any more loyal fans in the country than those who follow the South Carolina Gamecocks."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-07-22 |title=CAROLINA PRIDE: South Carolina Gamecocks {{!}} Charleston Magazine |url=https://charlestonmag.com/features/carolina_pride_south_carolina_gamecocks |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=CHARLESTON SC {{!}} |language=en}}</ref>

== Athletics history ==
=== Nickname and colors ===
"Garnet and Black" have been used by the University of South Carolina as its colors ever since the family of J. William Flinn presented a banner composed of those colors to the football team in November 1895, although there was no official adoption of the colors at that time. In 1900, the football team was first referred to as the "Gamecocks" by [[The State (newspaper)|''The State'']] newspaper. The nickname was a reference to the fighting tactics of General [[Thomas Sumter]], the Revolutionary War hero known as the Fighting Gamecock. Given that garnet and black were already in use and also the dominant colors on a gamecock, the university gradually adopted "Gamecocks" and "garnet and black" as the official nickname and colors for its athletic teams.<ref>{{cite book | first = Edwin Luther | last = Green | title = History of the University of South Carolina | url = https://archive.org/details/ahistoryunivers00greegoog | year = 1916 | publisher = The State Company | page = [https://archive.org/details/ahistoryunivers00greegoog/page/n492 460]}}</ref>

=== Conference history ===
The University of South Carolina was a member of the [[Southern Conference]] for men's basketball and football from 1922 until it became a founding member of the [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] in 1953. The Gamecocks officially withdrew from the ACC on June 30, 1971,<ref>[https://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-20030523-2003-05-23-0305230225-story.html Watson, Pernell. "Spats Caused S.C. to Split from ACC," ''Daily Press'' (Newport News, VA), Thursday, May 22, 2003.] Retrieved June 8, 2022.</ref> the result of football head coach [[Paul Dietzel]] opposing a conference rule that required a minimum 800 Scholastic Aptitude Test ([[SAT]]) score when awarding [[athletic scholarship]]s.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1971/04/10/archives/s-carolina-is-its-own-boss.html White Jr., Gordon S. "College Sports Notes", ''The New York Times'', Saturday, April 10, 1971.] Retrieved June 8, 2022.</ref> 

[[File:SEC logo in South Carolina colors.svg|thumb|left|120px|SEC logo in South Carolina's colors]]
USC then competed as an independent until 1983 when it joined the [[Metro Conference]] for all sports except football (which the Metro did not sponsor) and men's soccer. In 1991, the Gamecocks joined the [[Southeastern Conference]] when it increased its membership to 12 schools and split into two divisions. Since joining the SEC, the Gamecocks have been part of the league's East Division.

Men's soccer continued to compete as an independent since the SEC does not sponsor men's soccer, but joined the [[Metro Conference]] for the 1993 and 1994 seasons and competed in [[Conference USA]] from 2005 to 2021. After that season, South Carolina, along with fellow SEC member [[Kentucky Wildcats men's soccer|Kentucky]] (the only other SEC member with varsity men's soccer), moved that sport to the [[Sun Belt Conference]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2022/4/6/sun-belt-conference-announces-return-of-mens-soccer-this-fall.aspx |title=Sun Belt Conference Announces Return of Men's Soccer This Fall |publisher=Sun Belt Conference |date=April 6, 2022 |access-date=April 7, 2022}}</ref> Women's beach volleyball competed as an independent before joining the [[Coastal Collegiate Sports Association]] for the 2016 season (2015–16 school year).<ref name="SCAR History"/><ref name=CCSA>{{cite press release |url=http://www.theccsa.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=24200&SPID=111012&SPSID=671104 |title=CCSA Rebrands With Beach Volleyball Expansion |publisher=Coastal Collegiate Sports Association |date=October 20, 2015 |access-date=November 1, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120080942/http://www.theccsa.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=24200&SPID=111012&SPSID=671104 |archive-date=November 20, 2015 }}</ref>

== Sports sponsored ==
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; clear:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em;"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=South Carolina Gamecocks|Men's sports|Women's sports}}
|-
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks baseball|Baseball]] || [[South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball|Basketball]]
|-
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball|Basketball]] || [[South Carolina Gamecocks women's Beach Volleyball|Beach volleyball]]
|-
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|Football]] || Cross country
|-
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks men's golf|Golf]] || Equestrian
|-
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks men's soccer|Soccer]] || Golf
|-
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks men's swimming and diving|Swimming & diving]]|| [[South Carolina Gamecocks women's soccer|Soccer]]
|-
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks men's tennis|Tennis]] || [[South Carolina Gamecocks softball|Softball]]
|-
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks men's track and field|Track & field]]{{sup|1}}|| Swimming & diving
|-
| || [[South Carolina Gamecocks women's tennis|Tennis]]
|-
| || [[South Carolina Gamecocks women's track and field|Track & field]]{{sup|1}}
|-
| || [[South Carolina Gamecocks women's volleyball|Volleyball]]
|-
| colspan="2" style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|South Carolina Gamecocks|color=white}}" | {{small|{{sup|1}} – includes both indoor and outdoor.}}
|}
South Carolina sponsors team in 9 men's and 12 women's NCAA sanctioned sports. All programs compete in the [[Southeastern Conference]] with the exception of the men's soccer program which competes in the [[Sun Belt Conference]] and the women's beach volleyball program competes in the [[Coastal Collegiate Sports Association]].

===Baseball===
{{Main|South Carolina Gamecocks baseball}}
[[File:Game Two College World Series Omaha June 25, 2012.jpg|thumb|left|South Carolina game in 2012]]
The baseball team represents the University of South Carolina in [[NCAA]] [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] [[college baseball]].  South Carolina has posted 29 NCAA Tournament appearances, 11 [[College World Series]] berths, and two National Championships: [[2010 College World Series|2010]] and [[2011 College World Series|2011]].  Since joining the [[Southeastern Conference]] in 1992, the team has competed in the Eastern division, where they have won seven divisional titles, three regular season conference championships (2000, 2002, 2011) and one SEC Tournament championship (2004).

[[Paul Mainieri]] is the current head coach. Between 2010 and 2012 the Gamecocks set two NCAA records for postseason success: the most consecutive NCAA tournament wins (22) and the most consecutive wins in the College World Series (12). The team plays its home games at [[Carolina Stadium]] (Founders Park), which opened on February 21, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/021809aab.html|title=Opening Day Ceremonies To Be Held At Carolina Stadium|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225115026/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/021809aab.html|archive-date=2009-02-25}}</ref>

===Men's basketball===
{{Main|South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball}}
[[File:1965 South Carolina at Duke, Bob Verga drives.jpg|thumb|150px|South Carolina at Duke in 1965]]
The men's basketball team represents the [[University of South Carolina]] and competes in the [[Southeastern Conference]] (SEC). The Gamecocks won [[Southern Conference]] titles in 1927, 1933, 1934, and 1945, and then they gained national attention under hall of fame coach [[Frank McGuire]], posting a 205–65 record from 1967 to 1976, which included the 1970 [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] (ACC) championship, 1971 ACC Tournament title, and four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances from 1971 to 1974. 

The program also won the 1997 [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] championship, [[National Invitation Tournament]] (NIT) titles in 2005 and 2006, and a share of the 2009 SEC Eastern division title. Most recently, the Gamecocks won the [[2017 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2017 NCAA East Regional Championship]], reaching the [[NCAA Men's Division I Final Four appearances by school|Final Four]] for the first time in school history.  [[Lamont Paris]] is the current head coach, and the team plays at the 18,000-seat [[Colonial Life Arena]].

===Women's basketball===
{{Main|South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball}}
[[File:Hailey Van Lith, South Carolina.jpg|thumb|left|180px|South Carolina players celebrating in 2022]]
The South Carolina Gamecocks women's [[College basketball|basketball]] team represents the University of South Carolina and competes in the Southeastern Conference. During the 1980s, the Gamecocks won five regular season [[Metro Conference]] championships and three conference tournament championships. Under their current head coach, 3-time olympic gold medalist [[Dawn Staley]], the program continues to build on their accomplishments, winning the SEC regular season championship 4 years in a row (2014–2017) and the SEC tournament championship 3 years in a row twice (2015–2017, 2023-2025). 

Under Staley, the Gamecocks have earned a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament 4 consecutive seasons (2014–2017). The 2015 season also saw the team win its first out of two NCAA regional championships (2015, 2017) and advance to the Final Four for the first time in school history. The Gamecocks won the [[2017 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|2017]], [[2022 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament]], and [[2024 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|2024 NCAA Division I tournament]] National Championships. The Gamecocks share a home with the South Carolina men's basketball team at the 18,000-seat [[Colonial Life Arena]].

===Football===
{{Main|South Carolina Gamecocks football}}
[[File:South Carolina at Arkansas, 2013 001.jpg|thumb|South Carolina at Arkansas in 2013]]
The football team represents the University of South Carolina and competes in the [[Football Bowl Subdivision]] of the NCAA and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference. The team plays its home games at [[Williams-Brice Stadium]], the [[List of NCAA Division I FBS football stadiums|20th largest stadium in college football]].

Accomplishments include the 2010 SEC East title, the 1969 [[Atlantic Coast Conference|ACC]] championship, and numerous bowl victories and top 25 rankings. In 1980, [[George Rogers (American football)|George Rogers]] won the [[Heisman Trophy]]. Players inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] include George Rogers and [[Sterling Sharpe]]. The current head coach is [[Shane Beamer]].

===Women's track and field===
{{Main|South Carolina Gamecocks women's track and field}}

The South Carolina Gamecocks women's [[track and field]] team represents the University of South Carolina and competes in the SEC, where they have won three conference championships (1999, 2002, 2005).  The team has been coached by [[Curtis Frye]] since 1997, won the 2002 [[NCAA Women's Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships|NCAA Women's Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championship]], and includes many Olympic medalists, such as [[Aleen Bailey]], [[Natasha Hastings]], and [[Tonique Williams-Darling]].

† ''ordered by revenue contribution to USC Athletic Department in FY2012.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://columbiametro.com/Columbia-Metro/May-2013/Gamecock-Athletics-Mean-Big-Business/|title=Gamecock Athletics Mean Big Business - Columbia-Metro - May 2013|website=columbiametro.com|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150402144219/http://columbiametro.com/Columbia-Metro/May-2013/Gamecock-Athletics-Mean-Big-Business/|archive-date=2015-04-02}}</ref>

==Notable non-varsity sports==

===Club Rugby===
Founded in 1967, the University of South Carolina rugby team is the oldest club sport at the school.<ref name="Carolina Rugby Foundation">{{cite web |url=http://gallery.mailchimp.com/e54c55d3abaaad90c04e89a04/files/cdcd67e9-506f-4239-9ed8-ff127dda39a1.pdf|title=Carolina Rugby Foundation}}</ref> The team plays Division 1 [[college rugby]] in the [[Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference]] against its SEC rivals. The rugby team finished second in the SCRC conference in 2013 and reached the national playoffs.<ref name="Carolina Rugby Foundation"/> The team improved and finished first in the SCRC conference in 2014, again qualifying for the national playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uscrugby.org/carolina-rugby.html|title=Carolina Rugby|website=Official Home of South Carolina Rugby|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106054234/http://www.uscrugby.org/carolina-rugby.html|archive-date=2014-11-06}}</ref>

South Carolina rugby offers scholarships to certain athletes of up to $60,000 over a four-year period.<ref>[http://www.goffrugbyreport.com/news/rugby-scholarship-endowed-south-carolina "Rugby Scholarship Endowed at South Carolina"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509205430/http://www.goffrugbyreport.com/news/rugby-scholarship-endowed-south-carolina|date=2015-05-09}}, [[Goff Rugby Report]], May 6, 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.goffrugbyreport.com/news/gamecocks-announce-scholarship-recipients "Gamecocks Announce Scholarship Recipients"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630122715/http://www.goffrugbyreport.com/news/gamecocks-announce-scholarship-recipients|date=2017-06-30}}, [[Goff Rugby Report]], January 20, 2016.</ref> The rugby team is supported by the Carolina Rugby Foundation and by the Carolina Men's Rugby Endowment Fund.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uscrugby.org/carolina-endowment.html|title=Carolina Endowment|website=Official Home of South Carolina Rugby|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106055033/http://www.uscrugby.org/carolina-endowment.html|archive-date=2014-11-06}}</ref> The rugby team has been led since 2011 by head coach Mark Morris.

=== Club Ice Hockey ===
The South Carolina Club Hockey team, nicknamed "Cock Hockey", is the schools non-varsity men's ice hockey club founded in 2001 by John Lipscomb and Jared Hopkins.<ref>{{Cite web |last=%~{teamName} |title=Cock Hockey: South Carolina Club Hockey |url=https://www.cockhockey.com/ |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.cockhockey.com |language=en}}</ref> Today, the club competes in Division I of [[College Hockey South]] (CHS), the non-varsity [[Amateur Athletic Union]] (AAU).<ref>{{Cite web |title=College Hockey South, About |url=https://www.collegehockeysouth.com/about}}</ref> In 2024, the team won the Division I AAU National Championship, beating [[University at Buffalo|Buffalo]] 4-1 after they upset No. 1 seed [[University of Tampa|Tampa]] 6-4.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-10 |title=National champs! South Carolina’s club hockey team makes history |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/national-champs-south-carolina-club-202157642.html |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-11 |title=Gamecock hockey team captures a national championship |url=https://www.wltx.com/article/sports/hockey/usc-hockey-national-championship/101-a5433ede-a292-4ce0-8a3e-0c3ade68004a |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=wltx.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

The South Carolina Women's Club Hockey was created as a founding member of the College Hockey South women's division in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina Women's Club Ice Hockey has successful inaugural season, finishes 2nd in new women's hockey division |url=https://www.dailygamecock.com/article/2024/02/south-carolina-womens-club-ice-hockey-has-successful-inaugural-season-finishes-2nd-in-new-womens-hockey-division-sports-miller |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=South Carolina Women's Club Ice Hockey has successful inaugural season, finishes 2nd in new women's hockey division - The Daily Gamecock at University of South Carolina |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Men's Club Lacrosse===

The Gamecocks Men's Club Lacrosse team won the MCLA Division 1 National Championships in 2019<ref>{{Cite web |last=MCLA |date=2019-05-12 |title=2019 MCLA National Championship: South Carolina Wins First-Ever MCLA Championship |url=https://laxallstars.com/2019-mcla-national-championship-south-carolina-wins-first-ever-mcla-championship/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Lacrosse All Stars |language=en-US}}</ref> and 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina Repeats as MCLA Division I Champion |url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/men/south-carolina-repeats-as-mcla-division-i-champion |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=www.usalaxmagazine.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Club Baseball ===
Founded in 2015, the South Carolina Club Baseball team competes in Division 1 of the National Club Baseball Association.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team {{!}} NCBA |url=https://clubbaseball.org/league/team/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |language=en-US}}</ref> The team finished first in the South Atlantic Conference's Eastern Region in 2020<ref name="Conference {{!}} NCBA">{{Cite web |title=Conference {{!}} NCBA |url=https://clubbaseball.org/league/conference/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |language=en-US}}</ref> and 2022.<ref name="Conference {{!}} NCBA"/> In 2020, then-school president [[Robert L. Caslen|Robert Caslen]] recognized the team, and pledged to host an ice cream party for the team as a reward for sweeping rival [[Clemson University]] in a two-game series in Columbia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simon |first=Mollie R. |title=USC president promises ice cream for beating Clemson. Here are the cones he'd have served last year |url=https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/entertainment/2019/07/22/usc-president-promises-ice-cream-beating-clemson/1798471001/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=The Greenville News |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Titles, coaches, and facilities==
The Gamecocks have won twelve national team championships: [[2017 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|2017]],  [[2022 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|2022]], and [[2024 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|2024]] NCAA Championships in women's basketball; [[2010 College World Series|2010]] & [[2011 College World Series|2011]] NCAA Championships in baseball; [[NCAA Women's Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships|2002]] NCAA Championship in women's outdoor track & field; 2005, 2007, and 2015 National Championships in [[National Collegiate Equestrian Association|women's equestrian]]; and 2005, 2006, and 2007 [[Hunt Seat]] National Championships in women's equestrian. Also, the men's and women's track & field teams have produced many NCAA individual champions, world championship medalists, and Olympic medalists.  The baseball and basketball teams have also produced Olympic medalists.

Other significant accomplishments include 2010 SEC Eastern Division Champions in football, NCAA runner-up four times in women's track & field (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005), NCAA runner-up four times in baseball (1975, 1977, 2002, 2012), 1993 NCAA runner-up in men's soccer, 2005 & 2006 [[National Invitation Tournament|NIT]] champions in men's basketball, and the 1980 [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[George Rogers (American football)|George Rogers]].

{|class="wikitable" align="center" border="1"
|+
! colspan="2" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|South Carolina Gamecocks|border=1|color= white }}" | Sport
! style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|South Carolina Gamecocks|border=1|color= white }}" | Titles <ref name="SCAR History"/>
! style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|South Carolina Gamecocks|border=1|color= white }}" | Current Head Coach (since)
! style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|South Carolina Gamecocks|border=1|color= white }}" | Venue
|-
| colspan="2" | [[South Carolina Gamecocks baseball|Baseball]]
| [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] East Champions: 7 (2016, 2012, 2011, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999)<br />SEC Champions: 3 (2011, 2002, 2000)<br />SEC Tournament Champions: 1 (2004)<br />[[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] Tournament Appearances: 32<br />[[College World Series]]: 11<br />NCAA Runner-Up: 4 (2012, 2002, 1977, 1975)<br />NCAA Champions: 2 (2011, 2010)<br />Olympic Medalists: 1 (2000)
| [[Paul Mainieri]] (2024)
| [[Founders Park]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[College basketball|Basketball]]
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball|Men's]]
| [[Southern Conference]] Champions: 4 (1945, 1934, 1933, 1927)<br />Southern Conference tournament Champions: 1 (1933)<br />[[Atlantic Coast Conference|ACC]] Tournament Runner-Up: 2 (1970, 1957)<br />ACC Tournament Champions: 1 (1971)<br />SEC East Champions: 2 (2009, 1997)<br />SEC Champions: 1 (1997)<br />SEC Tournament Runner-Up: 2 (2006, 1998)<br />[[National Invitation Tournament|NIT]] Champions: 2 (2006, 2005)<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 9<br />NCAA Final Four: 1 ([[2017 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2017]])<br />Olympic Medalists: 1 (1972) 
| [[Lamont Paris]] (2022)
| [[Colonial Life Arena]]
|-
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball|Women's]]
| [[National Women's Invitational Tournament|NWIT]] Champions: 1 (1979)<br />[[Metro Conference]] Champions: 5 (1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991)<br />Metro Conference tournament Champions: 3 (1986, 1988, 1989)<br />SEC Champions: 7 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2023)<br />SEC Tournament Champions: 6 (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023)<br />[[AIAW women's basketball tournament|AIAW]] Tournament Appearances: 4<br />AIAW Final Four: 1 (1980, 3rd place)<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 18<br />NCAA Final Four: 6 (2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)<br />NCAA Championship: 3 (2017, 2022, 2024)<br />Olympic Medalists: 1 (2004)
| [[Dawn Staley]] (2008)
| [[Colonial Life Arena]]
|-
| colspan="2" | Women's [[Cross country running|Cross country]]
| Metro Conference Champions: 3 (1990, 1989, 1988)
| Stan Rosenthal (2001)
|
|-
| colspan="2" | Women's [[Equestrianism|Equestrian]]
| SEC Champions: 3 (2014, 2013, 2025)<br />[[National Collegiate Equestrian Association|NCEA]] [[Hunt Seat]] National Champions: 3 (2007, 2006, 2005)<br />NCEA National Champions: 3 (2015, 2007, 2005)
| Boo Duncan (1998)
| [http://uscsports.cstv.com/facilities/scar-facilities-onewoodfarm.html One Wood Farm]
|-
| colspan="2" | [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|Football]]
| Southern Conference Champions: 1 (1933)<br />ACC Champions: 1 (1969)<br />SEC East Champions: 1 (2010)<br />Bowl Appearances: 23 (9–14 record)<br />Heisman Trophies: 1 (1980 – [[George Rogers (American football)|George Rogers]])
| [[Shane Beamer]] (2020)
| [[Williams-Brice Stadium]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Golf]]
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks men's golf|Men's]]
| ACC Runner-Up: 1 (1968)<br />ACC Champions: 1 (1964)<br />Metro Conference Individual Champions: 2 (1991, 1990)<br />Metro Conference Runner-Up: 5 (1990, 1989, 1988, 1986, 1984)<br />Metro Conference Champions: 1 (1991)<br />SEC Individual Champions: 2 (2015, 1998)<br />SEC Runner-Up: 4 (2015, 2013, 2008, 1998)<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 26<br />NCAA Regional Individual Champions: 2 (2001 West, 1999 East)<br />NCAA Regional Champions: 1 (2007 West)
| Bill McDonald (2007)
| [http://www.gamecocksonline.com/facilities/cobblestone-park.html Cobblestone Park]
|-
| Women's
| Metro Conference Individual Champions: 1 (1989)<br />Metro Conference Champions: 1 (1990)<br />SEC Individual Champions: 2 (2002, 2001)<br />SEC Runner-Up: 1 (2015)<br />SEC Champions: 2 (2002, 2025)<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 24<br />NCAA Regional Individual Champions: 3 (2017 Columbus, 2010 East, 2008 East, 1995 East)<br />NCAA Regional Champions: 5 (2017 Columbus, 2016, 2015 East, 2012 East, 2010 East)
| Kalen Anderson (2007)
| [http://www.gamecocksonline.com/facilities/cobblestone-park.html Cobblestone Park]
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Association football|Soccer]]
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks men's soccer|Men's]]
| Metro Conference Champions: 1 (1993)<br />[[Conference USA]] Champions: 1 (2011)<br />Conference USA Tournament Champions: 2 (2010, 2005)<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 20<br />NCAA Runner-Up: 1 (1993)
| [[Tony Annan]] (2021)
| [[Eugene E. Stone III Stadium (Columbia)|Stone Stadium (The Graveyard)]]
|-
| | [[South Carolina Gamecocks women's soccer|Women's]]
| SEC Champions: 2 (2011, 2016)<br />SEC Tournament Champions: 2 (2009, 2019)<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 8
| Shelley Smith (2001)
| [[Eugene E. Stone III Stadium (Columbia)|Stone Stadium (The Graveyard)]]
|-
| colspan="2" | Beach Volleyball
| NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1
| Moritz Moritz (2014)
| [http://www.gamecocksonline.com/facilities/sand-volleyball.html Carolina Beach Volleyball Complex]
|-
| colspan="2" | [[South Carolina Gamecocks softball|Softball]]
| SEC East Champions: 4 (2002, 2001, 1999, 1997)<br />SEC Champions: 1 (1997)<br />SEC Tournament Champions: 2 (2000, 1997)<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 18
| Beverly Smith (2010)
| [http://uscsports.cstv.com/facilities/scar-facilities-softbl.html Beckham Field]
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Swimming (sport)|Swimming]] & [[Diving (sport)|Diving]]
| Men's
| ACC Individual Champions: 8<br />Metro Conference Champions: 8 (1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984)<br />Metro Conference Individual Champions: 8<br />SEC Individual Champions: 5<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 30
| McGee Moody (2007)
| [http://uscsports.cstv.com/facilities/scar-facilities-swim-dive.html The Carolina Natatorium]
|-
| Women's
| Metro Conference Champions: 6 (1990, 1989, 1988, 1986, 1985, 1984)<br />Metro Conference Individual Champions: 4<br />SEC Individual Champions: 12<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 30<br />NCAA Individual Champions: 1 (2004 – [http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/c-swim/spec-rel/012607aaa.html Allison Brennan])
| McGee Moody (2007)
| [http://uscsports.cstv.com/facilities/scar-facilities-swim-dive.html The Carolina Natatorium]
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Tennis]]
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks men's tennis|Men's]]
| ACC Champions: 1 (1968)<br />ACC Tournament Champions: 1 (1968)<br />Metro Conference Individual Champions: 3<br />Metro Conference tournament Champions: 6 (1991, 1990, 1989, 1987, 1986, 1985)<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 22<br />NCAA Individual Champions: 1 (2019 – [https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/other-usc-sports/article230836779.html Paul Jubb])
| [[Josh Goffi]] (2010)
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20111219201436/http://www.gamecocksinsider.com/MensTennis/Facilities/NewStadium.aspx Carolina Tennis Stadium]
|-
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks women's tennis|Women's]]
| Metro Conference tournament Champions: 5 (1990, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985) <br />SEC Tournament Champions: 1 (2019)<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 29
| Kevin Epley (2012)
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20111219201436/http://www.gamecocksinsider.com/MensTennis/Facilities/NewStadium.aspx Carolina Tennis Stadium]
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Track and Field]]
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks men's track & field|Men's]]
| ACC Individual Champions: 16 (indoor), 33 (outdoor)<br />Metro Conference Individual Champions: 32 (outdoor)<br />SEC Individual Champions: 23 (indoor), 26 (outdoor)<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 20 (indoor), 25 (outdoor)<br />NCAA Individual Champions: 8 (indoor), 10 (outdoor)<br />Olympic Medalists: 5
| [http://uscsports.collegesports.com/sports/c-track/mtt/frye_curtis00.html Curtis Frye] (1996)
| [http://uscsports.cstv.com/facilities/scar-facilities-track.html Weems Baskin Track Facility]
|-
| [[South Carolina Gamecocks women's track & field|Women's]]
| Metro Conference Individual Champions: 5 (outdoor)<br />SEC Individual Champions: 22 (indoor), 46 (outdoor)<br />SEC Outdoor Champions: 3 (2005, 2002, 1999)<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 19 (indoor), 20 (outdoor)<br />NCAA Individual Champions: 14 (indoor), 14 (outdoor)<br />NCAA Indoor Runner-Up: 3 (2003, 2001, 2000)<br />NCAA Outdoor Runner-Up: 1 (2005)<br />NCAA Outdoor Champions: 1 (2002)<br />Olympic Medalists: 5
| [http://uscsports.collegesports.com/sports/c-track/mtt/frye_curtis00.html Curtis Frye] (1996)
| [http://uscsports.cstv.com/facilities/scar-facilities-track.html Weems Baskin Track Facility]
|-
| colspan="2" |[[South Carolina Gamecocks volleyball|Women's volleyball]]
| Metro Conference tournament Champions: 1 (1984)<br />NCAA Tournament Appearances: 7
| Dottie Hampton (2017)
| [http://uscsports.cstv.com/facilities/scar-facilities-volley.html Volleyball Competition Facility]
|}

==Gamecocks in the Olympics==

Baseball
* [[Adam Everett]] (2000, United States, Shortstop, Gold Medal)

Men's Basketball
* [[Kevin Joyce (basketball)|Kevin Joyce]] (1972, United States, Guard, Silver Medal)
* [[Marijonas Petravicius]] (2008, Lithuanian, Center)

Women's Basketball
* [[Laeticia Amihere]] (2020, Canada)
* [[Ilona Burgrova]] (2012, Czech Republic, Center)
* [[Allisha Gray]] (2020, United States, 3x3)
* [[Shannon Johnson (basketball)|Shannon Johnson]] (2004, United States, Point Guard, Gold Medal)
* [[Iva Sliskovic]] (2012, Croatia)
* [[A'ja Wilson]] (2020, United States)

Men's Swimming & Diving
* [[Alex Alexander (swimmer)|Alex Alexander]] (1964, Australia, Individual Medley)
* Jean-Marie Arnould (1988, Belgium, Freestyle)
* [[István Batházi]] (1996, 2000, & 2004; Hungary; Individual Medley)
* Tamas Batházi (2004, Hungary)
* Gary Binfield (1988, Great Britain)
* [[Javier Botello]] (2000, Spain)
* [[Zsolt Gaspar]] (2000 & 2004, Hungary, Butterfly)
* Rik Leishman (1992, Great Britain, Butterfly)
* [[Tamás Szűcs]] (2004, Hungary, Freestyle)
* Akaram Mahmoud (2016, Egypt, Freestyle)

Women's Swimming & Diving
* Vivian Alberty (1996, Puerto Rico, Diving)
* [[Isabelle Arnould]] (1988, Belgium, Freestyle)
* Shelly Cramer (1976 & 1980, Virgin Islands)
* Michelle Davison (2000, United States, Diving)
* [[Sharntelle McLean]] (2004 & 2008, Trinidad and Tobago, Freestyle)
* Anna Nyiry (1996, Hungary)
* [[Tracey Richardson]] (2004, Great Britain, 3 Meter Springboard)
* [[Heather Roffey]] (2004, Cayman Islands, Freestyle & Butterfly)
* [[Julia Vincent]] (2016, South Africa, 3 Meter Springboard)

Men's Track & Field
* [[Leroy Dixon]] (2008, United States, 4 × 100 Meter Relay)
* [[Adrian Durant]] (2004; Virgin Islands; 100 Meters, 200 Meters, & 4 × 100 Meter Relay)
* [[Otis Harris]] (2004, United States; 400 Meters, Silver Medal; 4 × 400 Meter Relay, Gold Medal)
* [[Rodney Martin (athlete)|Rodney Martin]] (2008, United States, 4 × 100 Meter Relay)
* [[Jason Richardson (hurdler)|Jason Richardson]] (2012, United States, 110 Meter Hurdles, Silver Medal)
* [[Bradley Snyder (athlete)|Brad Snyder]] (1996, 2000, & 2004; Canada; Shot Put)
* [[Terrence Trammell]] (2000, 2004, & 2008; United States; 110 Meter Hurdles; 2000 & 2004 Silver Medals)
* [[Marvin Watts]] (2000, Jamaica, 800 Meters)

Women's Track & Field
* Aliyah Abrams (2016, Guyana, 400 Meters)
* [[Aleen Bailey]] (2004 & 2008, Jamaica, 4 × 100 Meter Relay, 2004 Gold Medal)
* [[Mikele Barber|Miki Barber]] (2000, United States, 4 × 400 Meter Relay)
* Kierre Beckles (2016, Barbados, 100 Meter Hurdles)
* [[Lashinda Demus]] (2004 & 2012, United States, 400 Meter Hurdles, 2012 Silver Medal)
* [[Dawn Ellerbe]] (2000, United States, Hammer Throw)
* [[Michelle Fournier]] (2000 & 2004, Canada, Hammer Throw)
* [[Chelsea Hammond]] (2008, Jamaica, Long Jump)
* [[Natasha Hastings]] (2008, 2012, & 2016, United States, 4 × 400 Meter Relay, 2008 Gold Medal)
* [[Charmaine Howell]] (2000, Jamaica, 4 × 400 Meter Relay, Silver Medal)
* [[Mechelle Lewis]] (2008, United States, 4 × 100 Meter Relay)
* [[Lisa Misipeka]] (1996, 2000, & 2004, American Samoa, Hammer Throw & Shot Put)
* Jeannelle Scheper (2016, St. Lucia, High Jump)
* [[Shevon Stoddart]] (2004 & 2008, Jamaica, 400 Meter Hurdles)
* [[Tiffany Williams]] (2008, United States, 400 Meter Hurdles)
* [[Tonique Williams-Darling]] (2000 & 2004, The Bahamas, 400 Meters, 2004 Gold Medal)

==Championships==

===NCAA team championships===

South Carolina has won 6 NCAA team national championships.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/champs_records_book/Overall.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-05-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320185655/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/champs_records_book/Overall.pdf |archive-date=2014-03-20 }}</ref>

*'''Men's (2)'''
**[[NCAA Division I Baseball Championship#Team titles|Baseball]] (2): 2010, 2011
*'''Women's (4)'''
**[[NCAA Women's Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships#Team titles|Outdoor track and field]]  (1): 2002
**[[NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|Basketball]] (3): 2017, 2022, 2024
*see also
**[[List of Southeastern Conference national championships#NCAA team championships|SEC NCAA team championships]]
**[[List of NCAA schools with the most NCAA Division I championships#NCAA Division I Team Championships|List of NCAA schools with the most NCAA Division I championships]]

===Other national team championships===
Below are the 9 national team titles that were not bestowed by the NCAA:

* Men’s
**Lacrosse (2):[[Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association|MCLA]] National Champions: (2019, 2022)
**Hockey (1): [[Amateur Athletic Union|AAU]] National Champions: (2024)
**Bowling:Club sport National Champions (1976)
* Women's
**[[National Collegiate Equestrian Association#NCEA National Championship results|Equestrian]] (6): 
***NCEA Hunt Seat National Champions (3): 2005, 2006, 2007
***NCEA Overall National Champions (3): 2005, 2007, 2015

==Rivalries==
{{see also|Carolina–Clemson rivalry}}

South Carolina's foremost rival is [[Clemson University]]. The two institutions are separated by just over {{convert|125|mi}} and have been bitter rivals since Clemson's founding in 1889. A heated rivalry continues to this day for a variety of reasons, including the historic tensions regarding their respective charters along with the passions surrounding their athletic programs. The annual South Carolina-Clemson football game was previously the longest uninterrupted series in the [[Southern United States|South]] and the third longest uninterrupted series overall, first played in 1896 (four years after South Carolina's inaugural season), and was played every year from 1909 to 2019. However, the 2020 football game did not occur due to scheduling amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, although the rivalry was resumed in the 2021 football season and remains ongoing through the 2023 football season. Their baseball programs consistently qualify for the NCAA playoffs and frequently earn berths to the [[College World Series|Men's College World Series]] in Omaha, Nebraska.

South Carolina continues to develop rivalries with other members of the SEC's [[Southeastern Conference|East Division]]. South Carolina's main SEC rival has been the [[Georgia Bulldogs|University of Georgia]] due to its proximity and the many years of competition before the Gamecocks joined the SEC. The "Halloween Game" against the [[Tennessee Volunteers football|University of Tennessee]] has the potential to be a big football game every year. Another notable rivalry within the East Division is the Gamecocks' men's soccer rivalry with the [[Kentucky Wildcats men's soccer|University of Kentucky]]. The only two SEC members that sponsor varsity men's soccer have played in the same conference since 2005, first in [[Conference USA]] and now in the [[Sun Belt Conference]], with their games known as the [[SEC Derby]].

When South Carolina was a member of the [[Atlantic Coast Conference|ACC]] (1953–1971), there was an intense rivalry with the [[North Carolina Tar Heels|University of North Carolina]], particularly in basketball, since [[Frank McGuire]] had coached UNC but moved to [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]] to coach the Gamecocks. The rivalry was renewed in football during the 2007 season, with the Gamecocks defeating the Tar Heels 21–15.

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|University of South Carolina athletics}}
* {{Official website}}

{{University of South Carolina}}
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