South Carolina’s rooster mascot changes name again

For the second time this week, the South Carolina Gamecocks have announced that their live rooster mascot has a new name, and somehow, they’ve ended up back right where they started.

Back in early August, reports trickled out that the school might have to change the name of their live mascot, a rooster named Sir Big Spur, because the latest rooster to take on the mantle (Sir Big Spur VII) has an intact comb, something that a true “fighting Gamecock” would not have. We later learned that one of the names up for consideration was “Cock Commander” and the internet did what the internet does. Alas, on Monday, the school announced it would re-name the mascot “The General,” as a reference to Revolutionary War General Thomas Sumter, whose nickname, the “Fighting Gamecock,” is the basis for the school’s athletics name.

Our short, regional nightmare appeared to be over. But then, on Thursday, we learned that the school had reversed course and “The General” was no more. Instead, the dispute between the current and original owners of the rooster had been settled and the mascot will continue to be known as “Sir Big Spur” after all.

“It was always preferred that we would stay with the ‘Sir Big Spur’ name,” South Carolina director of marketing Eric Nichols said in a news release. “I appreciate the passion that the owners, Mary Snelling and Ron Albertelli, and the new handlers Beth and Van Clark, have for the Gamecocks and the live mascot. We are pleased that we are starting the season with the same name as in year’s past.”

However, according to Dave Cloninger of the Post and Courier, SBS VII’s comb will be trimmed in order to bring him into line with his name and status.

[The State, Dave Cloninger]