South Carolina State University Football – Cheers, Customs, and Tailgating Traditions

• City: Orangeburg

• Home: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium

• Mascot: Bulldog

• School Colors: Garnet and Blue

• Nicknames: SC State, State, SCSU

• Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

• Website: https://www.scsuathletics.com/sports/football

Fight Song

Cheers & Customs

• Alma Mater: Hail Dear Alma Mater [ Lyrics | Listen ]
  
  
• The Marching 101 Band: The Marching 101 is a group of about 380 students who perform at all home and most away football games. The "101" is well known for its creative and energizing half-time shows, and it often receives standing ovations from the fans of the opposing team! Before every home game, fans line the street as the famous 101 marches its way to Dawson Stadium.
  – SC State fan Tom says that the best part of SC State University football is "going to all of football games with expectation of winning, and the anticipation of an outstanding half-time show by the Marching 101 Band. The pre-game and post-game tailgate is always fun and exciting. My favorite cheer is "Get Up for the Bulldogs, Everybody Get Up!" Homecoming is always the bomb, we have one of the best parades in the country."
  
  
  
  
  
• Staying True: SC State fan Michele says, "I no longer live in South Carolina and live in Florida now. Everyone here is a FAMU or a Bethune-Cookman fan but I stay true to South Carolina State University. I still enjoy going to the South Carolina State games and cheering with the crowd. One of my favorite cheers is the section cheer. Go Bulldogs!"
  
  

Tailgating Traditions

• Renew Friendships: 1980 graduate Jean Brown Pinkston of Columbia says, "Football season is the time for my husband – also a 1980 graduate – and I to renew bonds with fellow classmates and friends. Four generations of my family have matriculated at SC State and our love of the school runs deep. Football season is our opportunity to visit the campus, eat our fill, and cheer our team on to victory! Our Bulldog traditions include having the same STATE Club parking spot for many years, watching the Omega Psi Phi Brothers dance, and lining the roadside to watch the Marching 101 march from the campus to the stadium before the game. People-watching is also a lot of fun because Bulldog fans range from 1 year to 100 years of age, and it is fascinating to see the traditions being handed down through families."
  
  
• Gridiron Gossip: Bulldog fan Karen from Augusta, GA says that it's important to tailgate until you drop, because "the best talk happens at the tailgate party!"
  
  
• Sticky Superstitions: "Tailgating with friends and family and anyone who cares to stop by and join in on the fun-filled moments" is the best part about SC State tailgating for Hazel from Wallace, SC. Her favorite superstition? "Put a piece of green tape on your left elbow 30 minutes before game time! A WINNER every time!"
  
  
• Succulent SC State Ribs: The ultimate tailgate consists of great food and great friends. Follow SC State fan Jean Brown Pinkston's advice on how to make perfect ribs for your tailgate. She says to always remove the membrane from the underside of your ribs before cooking to allow the flavor to really penetrate the meat for a truly succulent taste. Remember to cook your ribs halfway at home the night before, and then finish them off on the grill at the stadium. Only sauce them during the last 30 minutes of cooking time for the best flavor.