A giant, million-dollar fighting Gamecock statue planned for a plaza outside Williams-Brice Stadium won’t be installed in time for the 2018 football season.
The 15- to 18-foot-tall bird remains on hold because of engineering challenges stemming from its size and shape, University of South Carolina spokesman Jeff Stensland said.
USC had hoped to have the $995,000 bronze statue, paid for with private gifts, in place at Springs-Brooks Plaza before the 2017 season, then pushed that goal back to fall 2018.
Ultimately, Stensland said, the school favors a slower approach over rushing the statue’s installation and needing to make repairs later.