The team was first referred to as the "Game Cocks" in 1900. in 1903, the Columbia morning newspaper, The State, used the condensed version, "Gamecocks," and the name has been around ever since. The title refers to fighting birds, which is generally frowned upon, but the scrappy spirit of the creatures fits a tough football team. The nickname was also one given to General Thomas Sumter, who was from South Carolina, British General Cornwallis.
