By: Dana Woodward, Public Relations Strategist at the University of South Carolina. Dana finds good stories, promotes good events and spreads good news from UofSC to the community and beyond.

The temperatures are cooling off, and Gamecock Football is heating up – that can only mean one thing: it’s homecoming at UofSC. From cookouts on the Russell House patio to “Cockfest” in Williams-Brice Stadium, homecoming activities have come and gone over the long history of celebrations, but the unflagging Carolina spirit has remained constant.

Columbia, S.C.: University of South Carolina, 1968 | Photo by Chip Galloway, The Gamecock

In the “Garnet and Black” yearbook from 1899, then-South Carolina College students wrote: “Football is a game comparatively new in the South…wherever this game is once begun, the players and all who understand and admire it will never give it up voluntarily.”

100+ years later, it’s safe to say that sentiment remains true. To get in the homecoming mood, we’re taking a look back at Carolina homecomings of the last 50 years.

1968

Columbia, S.C.: University of South Carolina, 1968 | Photo by Chip Galloway, The Gamecock

In 1968, Alpha Tau Omega, Tri-Delta and Chi Psi built this prize-winning float, reflecting the “Up, Up and Away” theme for the homecoming parade. The Gamecock (the student newspaper now known as The Daily Gamecock) from Oct. 25 of that year noted that the parade included 60 units, which was the largest homecoming parade in Carolina history up to that point.

1978

Columbia, S.C: University of South Carolina, 1979 | Photo by Richard Vogel, Garnet and Black

In a photo from the 1979 “Garnet and Black” yearbook, attendees gathered on campus on Oct. 13, 1978 to await the free homecoming concert. The main act – the band Wet Willie – was delayed for an hour and a half because of rain. Once the band went on, The Gamecock reported that the crowd sang along with such tunes as “Make You Feel Love Again” and “Keep On Smiling.”

1988

Columbia, S.C: University of South Carolina, 1989 | Photo by Tracie Howie, Garnet and Black

In 1988 – in keeping with the Olympic year – homecoming followed a “Go for the Garnet” theme, including the Cockfest pep rally held in Williams-Brice Stadium. The two-hour show included appearances from the head football coach and senior football players, cheerleaders, mascot and marching band, as well as skits performed by student organizations (one of which pictured above) and a fireworks display.

1998

The Gamecock, Columbia, S.C.: University of South Carolina, 1998, Oct. 14

Homecoming 1998 featured the university’s first-ever barbecue cook-off – in honor of that year’s theme, “Carolina Pig Pickin’: A Southern Tradition.” (The theme played on the mascot of the Gamecocks’ opponent, the Arkansas Razorbacks.) Held on the Horseshoe, the cook-off featured catering from local restaurants and activities like a potato sack contest, a watermelon-eating contest and a seed-spitting contest.

2008

University of South Carolina 2008 | Photo by Phil Sawyer, Jr.

2008 marked the first Carolina Homecoming as university president and first lady for Harris Pastides and Patricia Moore-Pastides. They celebrated by lighting up the dance floor at the My Carolina Alumni Association’s alumni awards banquet and dance – an event honoring Gamecocks past and present.

Here are some of our readers’ own #TBT photos from UofSC Homecoming. ⬇

UofSC Homecoming 2011 | Photo submitted by Kayla S.

UofSC Homecoming Court 2013 | Photo submitted by Lindsay O.

UofSC Homecoming 2015; Alumni Center grand opening ft. Brad Paisley concert | Photo submitted by Lindsey G.

This year, celebrate living in “Sweet Home Carolina” with a weekend full of homecoming activities for students, alumni + fans alike. Tomorrow, kick off the morning with the Black Alumni Council Breakfast of Champions ft. Anton Gunn and get some wisdom from influential Gamecocks at the Carolina’s Best Forum. Walk off those two great meals with a stroll around the Greene Street to see the Gamecock Walk Showcase – and round out the weekend at the Homecoming Tailgate Party in Gamecock Park three hours before kickoff on Saturday.

See the full rundown of activities here, and go Gamecocks!

– Dana Woodward