Jerry Spann, an undergraduate Business Administration student and head cheerleader, became USC's first mascot during the Duke game in 1961.

The cheerleaders, tired of managing live roosters—especially after some mischievous students spiked the rooster’s water bowl with whiskey before a big game—realized the need for a new solution.

With the help of his girlfriend’s mother, who created a unique outfit, Jerry donned an inflated rubber glove attached to a beanie cap that resembled a cock’s comb.

On game days, students from opposing universities would chase him around the field, trying to steal his feather duster tail.

The costume included fabric feathers, a cardboard bill, and Styrofoam spurs, and was made by his mother.

[5] He was portrayed as the son of Big Spur, a large, gangly barn yard rooster that had been attending games since 1978 as a mascot of the university.

Big Spur had been introduced as a fraternity pledge class project headed by student Chuck Eaton.

After this inauspicious beginning, the South Carolina Athletic Department determined Lane would wear the "Big Spur" costume for the remainder of the school year and John Routh would take over as "Cocky" in hopes that alumni would warm to the new mascot.

After spending a year as the mascot for the women's teams as a female Cocky, he gained general acceptance primarily during the baseball season, and he slowly took over for Big Spur.

In 1981 and 1982, Cocky was invited to be the official mascot of the NCAA Baseball College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

He was chosen in a nationwide contest in 1986 as America's First 'National Mascot' by the Universal Cheerleading Association, Ford Motor Company, and American Airlines.

That year, he was recognized with a Concurrent Resolution by the SC House of Representatives as "Goodwill Ambassador of the State of South Carolina".

JH, as Homer the Dragon for the Charlotte Knights, performed with his predecessor from USC, John Routh, as the Florida Marlin when the teams played each other in 1996.

While serving as mascot, he appeared on stage with Hootie & the Blowfish and Barenaked Ladies during the Group Therapy Tour in Columbia.