PHOTOS: Carolina Kickoff event builds excitement for 2024 football season

Gamecock Entertainment hosted Carolina Kickoff on Aug. 30, 2024, a day before the Gamecock football team's first home game of the season. The event included performances from the Carolina Band and cheerleaders, an appearance from Cocky and games from different university organizations. Students stopped to watch the band and take photos with Cocky while heading to class. South Carolina will open its 2024 season with a home game against Old Dominion on Aug. 31, 2024.

Third-year drum major Brayden Russell directs the Carolina Band in a performance on Greene Street on Aug. 30, 2024. The band performed a mix of gameday songs and pop music to celebrate the start of the 2024 football season.

USC’s mascot, Cocky, dances while the Carolina Band and cheerleaders perform for students during Carolina Kickoff on Aug. 30, 2024. The event, hosted by Gamecock Entertainment, aimed to get students excited about the upcoming football season.

A sign reading “Reclaim the Red Zone with SAVIP” sits on Greene Street during the Carolina Kickoff event on Aug. 30, 2024. Multiple university organizations set up tables and tents to talk with students while they attended the event.

A Carolina Band member plays their instrument during the Carolina Kickoff event on Greene Street on Aug. 30, 2024. The band played a variety of songs from its gameday lineup to prepare students for South Carolina's first game of the season against Old Dominion.

A member of the Carolina Coquettes Dance Team smiles while performing on Greene Street on Aug. 30, 2024. The dance team was joined by a group of cheerleaders and the marching band to kick off the 2024 football season.

The Carolina Band finishes performing a song while students watch on Greene Street on Aug. 30, 2024. The performance was part of the Carolina Kickoff event, hosted the day before the first home football game.