Chauncey the Chanticleer

The number one question asked of those associated with the Coastal Carolina University Athletic Department is "What is a Chanticleer?". The second most asked question is "How do you pronounce your nickname?".

Well, answering the second question first may make it a bit easier reading the remainder of this description of CCU's Chanticleer. The proper pronunciation is SHON-ti-clear. You may also hear Coastal's athletic teams referred to as Chants (SHONTS) to shorten the Chanticleer nickname.

OK, now that you can say Chanticleer, would you like to know about this famous mascot and just how Coastal Carolina rates such a unique athletic moniker.

Chanticleer comes from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. More specifically, he comes from the Nun's Priest Tale, a story within Canterbury Tales. The Chanticleer is a proud and fierce rooster who dominates the barnyard.

For the best description of Chanticleer, we turn to Chaucer's words. "For crowing there was not his equal in all the land. His voice was merrier than the merry organ that plays in church, and his crowing from his resting place was more trustworthy than a clock. His comb was redder than fine coral and turreted like a castle wall, his bill was black and shone like a jet, and his legs and toes were like azure. His nails were whiter than the lily and his feathers were like burnished gold." With all of his splendor and great looks, Chanticleer is also greatly feared and mightily respected by all.

Now, the picture of Chanticleer is clear. As Chanticleer proves in the Nun's Priest Tale, he is much more than a pretty face. He uses his great wit, knowledge, and cunning to come out on top every time. This makes Chanticleer a perfect fit for Coastal Carolina Athletics. Chanticleer epitomizes a CCU student-athlete in every way. From his athletic and strong build, to his vast knowledge, to his mindset to always finish on top, Chanticleer is the mirror image of CCU's Chanticleers.

History of Chanticleer at Coastal Carolina University
Now, for the story of how Chanticleer came to be the mascot of Coastal Carolina University Athletics. In the mid-1960's, a group of Coastal students and their English professor brought up the idea of a new mascot. At the time, Coastal's athletic teams were known as the Trojans. With Coastal Carolina serving as a two-year branch of the University of South Carolina at the time, many people began to push for a nickname that was more closely related to USC's Gamecock. Thus, Chanticleer was born as one of the most unique mascots in collegiate athletic history. Chanticleer gave Coastal a mascot which resembles the Gamecock, but still gave the University its own identity.

On July 1, 1993, USC-Coastal Carolina College became Coastal Carolina University by splitting from the branch system of the University of South Carolina. Some people thought that was the time to send the Chanticleer packing and make a complete split from USC. But, as he had before Coastal Carolina gained its independence and as he has since that time, the Chanticleer continues to overcome the battles and reigns supreme. Chanticleer has made a name for himself and Coastal Carolina University around the world and has captured a place in the hearts of many CCU fans.

Coastal Carolina University Fight Song

Fight Song Audio

Gonna play the game & score for us all.
Coastal Carolina takes the ball.
Marches to the goal or kicks it on through.
Proud to be a Chant through and through.

We'll shout our colors, Go Teal!
GO TEAL!
And then we'll yell out, And Bronze!
AND BRONZE!
And our beloved Chanticleers will WIN THIS GAME.

We're the Chanticleers of CCU
Proud to be a Chant through and through.
Fighting like a champ for victory today
We will stand together as we say:

Sock 'em, Bust 'em
That's our custom
Coastal Car-olina!

Alma Mater

"Coastal Carolina" Audio

"Coastal Carolina" We come to you to lead our search, and learn to reach beyond ourselves- below the earth, beyond the stars- to form our dreams for better years. Here, green and bronze in nature; light- sweet pine forests that surround us, ocean waters that sustain us- reflect your standards that prepare us. May we return in thought and care To share your promise of enrichment, and celebrate and sing our praise for Coastal Carolina. Bennie Lee Sinclair

The Coastal Carolina University Alma Mater was written in 1994 by Bennie Lee Sinclair, Poet Laureate of South Carolina, to commemorate the first year of the institution's status as a university.  The original score for the Alma Mater was written by William R. Hamilton, Coastal Carolina University music professor. Music to the Alma Mater was performed by the Coastal Carolina University Concert Choir under the direction of Anne Denbow-Gilbert and accompanied by Gary Stegall.

Myrtle Beach Days

The playing of "Myrtle Beach Days" by the Fantastic Shakers is a tradition that is unique to the Chanticleer baseball and softball programs.  After the conclusion of each home game "Myrtle Beach Days" is played over the public adress system as fans exit the stadiums.  

Maddox

As part of 2011 football Homecoming game, a new tradition was unveiled at Brooks Stadium. For nearly 50 years, CCU's athletic programs have been known by the nickname "Chanticleers" and making his official debut against Gardner-Webb was Coastal's first "live" mascot, nicknamed Maddox. The new mascot received his name via student vote -- and honors the legacy of former Coastal basketball coach and English professor Cal F. Maddox who, along with the encouragement of his players, conceived the moniker "Chanticleers" in 1963. Professor Maddox was also instrumental in adopting the name "chanticleer" to represent the student newspaper. The new "live" mascot Maddox was donated by Loris native Robbie Todd, whose family farm supplied the bantam rooster to CCU.

C-I-N-O
Coastal Is Number One

CINO is a student spirit theme adopted in the late 1960s by the Coastal cheerleaders and encouraged by then Coastal administrator Larry Biddle, who also served as basketball and baseball coach.

Standing for Coastal is Number One, CINO had a prominent role during the early years of athletics and news accounts would often refer to Coastal teams as the "Cinoans." 

In 1977, Coastal's athletic booster club was founded and originally took the name CINO Club until changed to the Chanticleer Club in 2003 and later the current-day Chanticleer Athletic Foundation.

The CINO spirit is nearly as established as Coastal Athletics itself.

Today the familiar C-I-N-O chant can be heard resonating in each athletic venue as the Coastal student sections cheer the Chanticleers on to victory.