SOUTH Carolina Student Reveals Secret Life as University Mascot
Tramont Miles unveils his identity as Cocky at graduation ceremony
SOUTH Carolina student Tramont Miles has lived a secret life for the past year – as the university’s beloved mascot Cocky. As part of a long-standing NCAA tradition, the identity of Cocky – a “tail-shaking, wing-flapping Gamecock” – is kept hidden until the student’s graduation.
And Miles revealed himself as Cocky in an epic graduation ceremony in which he danced around the stage wearing the mascot’s furry yellow feet. Fans reacted with delight to Miles’ mascot reveal in a now viral video.
Miles, a first-generation student and criminal justice and psychology double major from Bennettsville, South Carolina, never imagined himself taking on the role when he first got it on April 1, 2022.
Travelling the Country and Building Memories
Miles has traveled the country as part of the role, and has even starred in a Nissan commercial. His most cherished memory was in Cleveland when the women’s basketball team won their third national championship in April.
“I was at open practice the day before [the championship game] on the court with all of them,” Miles said. “Me, [head coach Dawn Staley] and the other assistant coaches were just dancing with each other and having fun during practice. That was a big core memory for me.”
Building Relationships as Cocky
Even though his identity was a secret, Miles was able to build relationships across the university. “Even as a student, nobody knew who I was, but I was still able to make connections with little kids, with vice presidents who were at events, with President Amiridis,” Miles said. “Going into the real world, I know I can make connections in little ways.”
New Traditions and Future Plans
Miles started a new tradition – Cocky rising out of a railroad car on the field at Williams-Brice Stadium. He is now headed to Tennessee to work as the visitor services counselor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville Visitor Center.
Miles says his personality changes when he puts on the mascot uniform. “I think this is going to be a big shock because I don’t think I come off as a person who could be Cocky,” he says. “I’m like a shy guy, but as soon as I put the suit on, I’m a whole different person.”
Congratulations to Tramont Miles on his successful dual life as a student and a beloved mascot!
