News Summary
Coastal Carolina University honored Gray Bray, who served as the beloved mascot Chauncey, during graduation. Bray, who earned his degree in Communication, is set to pursue a master’s in Sports Management. His tenure as Chauncey included engaging with fans and participating in many sports events. Alongside Bray’s graduation, CCU plans to replace the aging turf at Brooks Stadium, with sections of the old turf being prepared for fans as memorabilia.
Conway, South Carolina – Coastal Carolina University (CCU) recently celebrated the graduation of Gray Bray, who has served as the university’s beloved mascot, Chauncey, for the past four years. The announcement was made during CCU’s graduation ceremony, where a special tribute video showcased Bray’s journey dressed as Chauncey, accompanied by the uplifting song “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. Bray, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication, is now preparing to pursue a master’s degree in Sports Management at CCU.
Throughout his time as Chauncey, Bray dedicated himself to embodying the characteristics of an engaging mascot. After being approached by a member of the dance team in his freshman year, he auditioned for the role and officially took on the costume in September of that year. Bray committed to perfecting his portrayal of Chauncey, learning from previous mascots and utilizing online resources to understand mascot performance better.
Challenging aspects of performing in the costume included managing non-verbal interactions since mascots cannot speak. Despite these challenges, Bray thrived in his role, actively participating in public address announcing for various CCU sports like soccer, softball, beach volleyball, lacrosse, and basketball. During his initial years, he was the only student portraying Chauncey, keeping his identity as the mascot a well-guarded secret while balancing multiple responsibilities.
A typical game day for Bray involved a mixture of excitement and energy, as he donned the mascot costume for pregame festivities, interacted with fans, and participated in cheerleading activities. Bray cherished the interaction with younger fans, striving to ease their apprehension around mascots while inspiring a new generation of CCU sports supporters. Notably, he made appearances in notable locations such as London with the university band, Hawaii for a bowl game, and Orlando.
In another significant development, CCU is preparing to replace the iconic teal turf at Brooks Stadium starting in July due to its aging condition. The new turf design will feature black end zones to enhance the visibility of the notable teal playing surface, similar to that found at Carolina Panthers games. The athletics department is exploring options to recycle and repurpose the old turf, aiming to respond to numerous requests from fans who wish to have pieces of the field that have historical significance to CCU sports.
Fans have expressed interest in pieces of the old turf, particularly areas tied to memorable events in the university’s sports history. Accordingly, negotiations are underway to cut up and refurbish sections of the turf for sale as memorabilia or to be used for future purposes. This initiative not only aims to create tangible keepsakes for fans but also has the added potential to serve as a fundraising opportunity for the football program.
As Bray transitions into the next phase of his academic career, the legacy of Chauncey will continue, along with the university’s commitment to enhancing student engagement and community support through its athletic programs. The combination of Bray’s inspiring journey as Chauncey and the upcoming improvements at Brooks Stadium heralds a new chapter for Coastal Carolina University.
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Additional Resources
- WPDE: Graduation of Chauncey Bray
- Post and Courier: Coastal Carolina Turf Field Auction
- Sports Illustrated: Coastal Carolina Fires OC
- 9News: Coastal Carolina Free Concessions
- WPDE: Teal Town Watch Party
- Wikipedia: Coastal Carolina University
- Google Search: Coastal Carolina University
- Google Scholar: Coastal Carolina University
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Coastal Carolina University
- Google News: Coastal Carolina University
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
