Big Spur Of The Moment

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Whenever the University of South Carolina Gamecocks football team or baseball team take to the field, the school's famously furry and frenetic mascot Cocky is usually close at hand to entertain the faithful. On many occasions, the festivities also include the school's real-life mascot, an honest-to-goodness fine feathered fowl, a majestic and dignified creature named Sir Big Spur. On this episode of our series exploring the Southern experience, we travel to the university's Garnet & Black Spring Fest, a fan-friendly event previewing the upcoming football season. As the street party unfolds, we pause to chat with VAN and BETH CLARK, the human caregivers for the school's live mascot. Turns out, the care and feeding of a world-famous bird is basically a full-time job.