It was adopted by the university in 1912 and is sung by alumni and students at Gamecock athletic events.
The alma mater is also used to conclude each football game, home or away.
The Gamecock reported in its March 1911 issue that very little progress had been made on the alma mater for the university despite a reward of $50 by the faculty.
English professor, George A. Wauchope, took it upon himself and wrote the lyrics for the alma mater in 1911 set to the tune Flow Gently, Sweet Afton by Jonathan Spilman.
[3] Since the turn of the millennium, Gamecock fans have adopted the last stanza, "Forever to thee," as a battle cry.