COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – The College of South Carolina introduced Monday a brand new title for its dwell mascot.

The title change is reflective of how the college’s athletics division “grew to become often called the Gamecocks,” saying the brand new dwell mascot will now be often called ‘The Normal’ in homage to Revolutionary Struggle Normal Thomas Sumter, whose nickname “Preventing Gamecock” grew to become the moniker for the dept.

College leaders mentioned its dwell mascot, previously often called “Sir Large Spur,” has been a staple at soccer and baseball video games for practically 20 years. They mentioned The Normal will nonetheless current the division via a partnership with new homeowners Beth and Van Clark.

“We all know Gamecock followers are keen about our traditions and seeing the dwell mascot at video games and different Athletics occasions is one thing they look ahead to,” mentioned South Carolina Deputy Athletics Director Eric Nichols. “Once we realized that we must change his title to maintain that custom alive, it appeared becoming to return to the place ‘Gamecocks’ bought began.”

In accordance with the varsity, a dispute relating to the care of the rooster between the Clarks and its earlier homeowners introduced forth the title change, which neither the College nor the Athletics Division owned the rights to.

The athletics dept. labored with the Clarks and inner workers – they even reviewed some on-line fan recommendations – earlier than finalizing the title.

“With the College’s authorized division discouraging protecting any a part of the earlier title within the new one, the Gamecocks selected to honor their unique namesake and provides the dwell mascot the title The Normal,” the college mentioned.

Together with its new title, The Normal may also have a brand new perch when soccer season begins subsequent Saturday.  “The Athletics Division and the Clarks are making a ‘C’ for The Normal to take a seat, considerably replicating the South Carolina Block C emblem,” the college mentioned.

The Normal’s first look of the brand new season might be on the South Carolina soccer season opener towards Georgia State on September 3.