GAMECOCK ENTERTAINMENT
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY STEVEN TAPIA-MACIAS / DEPARTMENT OF STUDENT LIFE
By Holly Poag Gamecock Entertainment, the university’s events and programming office, is “the main source of free and fun stuff to do” on and around campus, according to the group’s unofficial motto. Alongside classics like Tiger Burn and Homecoming, GE will also bring in some new events to present to students this fall. Courtney Buzan, assistant director for campus programs, said students can anticipate a semester similar to pre-COVID conditions. “The basis of this semester is that it is your traditional calendar of fun,” Buzan said. Buzan recognizes that Gamecock Entertainment has hurdles to overcome as they strive to spread the word about the events they plan to hold this semester. “We know we have a challenge ahead of us to just inform students that might have not caught wind of GE over the last year, especially our [sophomore] students that just had a very confusing first year,” Buzan said. Gamecock Entertainment is primarily comprised of a few student-run organizations: Carolina Productions, which brings concerts, comedy shows, and unique events like foam parties to campus; Dance Marathon, the largest studentrun philanthropic organization on campus, which focuses on raising money for Columbia’s local children’s hospital; the CarolinaClemson Blood Drive, which will be celebrating their 37th year of giving back to our local community; and Homecoming, a group of students who plan a week of fun to celebrate the university’s legacy. 26
Ella Mays, president of the Homecoming Commission, said the theme this year is “Around the World, Destination: UofSC.” Mays said they chose this theme to promote inclusiveness during Homecoming. Mays said she is looking forward to welcoming students back onto campus and reconnecting with students who have missed out on some of the typical college experiences. Gamecock Entertainment also manages a few recurring events and programs for student enjoyment: Thursday After Dark (TAD), a Thursday-night event series that provides always-free entertainment like bowling nights, skate nights, and escape rooms at local Columbia venues; Gamecock Picture Show, an outdoor mobile movie theater that hosts free movies at unique venues like the pool deck at the Wellness & Fitness Center; and Tiger Burn, an annual Rivalry Week pep rally in which a giant wooden tiger constructed by mechanical engineering students to represent Clemson is burned down in a blaze of glory. Carolina Productions also provides an exclusive on-campus streaming service, CockyTV+, in partnership with the Residence Hall Association, which allows students connected to university Wi-fi to stream a large and constantly growing catalog of popular movies and TV shows. Throughout the year, GE provides events and entertainment in a newly renovated event space in the Russell House called Russell Underground where students can attend trivia nights, comedy shows, and student performances, as well as relax; play video games, pool and ping-pong; or even rent out
the space for student organization events. Gamecock Entertainment has a page on GarnetGate for students who want to learn more and get involved in the organization or one of its many different areas.
@gamecockentertainment @gamecockent
