Creator of USC’s iconic live mascot tradition ‘Sir Big Spur’ dies at 79

Robert Albertelli, the creator of the University of South Carolina’s live mascot, the iconic Sir Big Spur, died Tuesday . He was 79.

A Massachusetts native, Albertelli moved to South Carolina in 1987 to manage the R.E. Phelon plant in Aiken, and soon met his future wife, a USC alumnus and diehard Gamecocks fan , according to his obituary and previous reporting by The State.

Together, thanks to Albertelli’s “engineering” mind, creativity and showmanship, the couple developed the university’s live mascot program, according to the obituary. The first Sir Big Spur, an Old English black-breasted red fighting gamecock, made his debut at a home baseball game in 1999, and soon became a fixture of USC’s gameday festivities, making his first appearance at a football game at Williams-Brice Stadium in 2006, according to USC.

“These gamecocks are born to fight,” Snelling told The State in 2015. “They are very fierce and competitive. It’s a perfect mascot.”

Albertelli and Snellling transitioned the program into the hands of new caretakers Van and Beth Clark in 2020.

The live mascot was briefly renamed “The General” in 2022 after a quarrel over whether to trim the rooster’s “comb,” according to reporting by The Post and Courier. Albertelli and Snelling, who owned the rights to the name “Sir Big Spur,” cut the comb to make the mascot look more fierce, but the Clarks had elected not to do so, citing health reasons.

But after further discussions between the families, the bird’s name reverted back to Sir Big Spur.

Now, 25 years later, Albertelli leaves behind a legacy. Gamecock fans can still find Sir Big Spur VII proudly roosted on the USC sidelines. A mainstay for USC athletics, he’s featured at football games and baseball games alike, and often appears at Gamecock Club events, ESPN College GameDay and private events too.

“Ron was kind, selfless and thoughtful and loved the Gamecocks,” USC Athletics Director Ray Tanner said in a statement to The State. “He took great care of Sir Big Spur, which brought so much joy to our fans. We will miss him.”

According to his obituary, Albertelli was diagnosed with an illness in 2010. He is survived by Snelling, two daughters and three grandsons.

A service in honor of Albertelli will be held Saturday at Talatha Baptist Church in Aiken.