The feel of the ball as it leaves her hands, the familiar spin of its flight and the swish as it goes through the net have been a part of Shelbretta “Brett” Ball’s life since she was five. The 5-foot 8-inch sophomore guard inherited her passion for the game from two aunts who played collegiate, international and professional basketball.

“Growing up, I was surrounded by basketball,” Brett says. “I saw my aunts play major college ball, play as members of Olympic teams and play professionally. They experienced so much through basketball. I wanted to do it, too.”

During those formative years, Brett developed a never-give-up attitude and an overwhelming desire to succeed. She trained endlessly and perfected her signature “in and out” move. Recruited by numerous schools, the Mississippi native selected USC in order to play under head coach Dawn Staley and to major in criminal justice and journalism.

However, soon after arriving in Columbia Brett was ruled medically ineligible to play. “It was a devastating blow,” she recalls. And for several months being around the game was painful. “It cut me like a knife just to walk into the gym.”

But Brett didn’t back down. Relying on the same fortitude she used to face down superior opponents, Brett discovered a new game — a new way to contribute to the team. “It was hard to figure out my role,” Brett says. “But with advice from Coach Staley, I’ve found my place on the team.”

Now, armed with a video camera, Brett produces “Ballin’ with Brett,” a video blog providing Carolina fans with behind-the-scenes access to the team. The blogs document the women’s team from practice sessions and postgame interviews to study hall and travel.

With her basketball career on hold for now, it’s no mystery how she stays on top of her game. Brett lives by the motto: “Its not how you start the game that counts. It’s how you finish.”

The program is a collaborative effort of USC student government and the South Carolina Center for Children’s Books and Literacy, an outreach initiative of the School of Library and Information Science. Cocky and members of the USC community have visited elementary schools across South Carolina. The students read to the children, and Cocky helps the children understand the importance of life-long reading.

USC Bucket List: #20. Inspire a child to read with Cocky’s Reading Express.

Trivia Tuesday:
Be the first to answer this week’s trivia question correctly in the comments to receive a No Limits t-shirt. How many books have been distributed through Cocky’s Reading Express?

The university’s first commencement at Rutledge Chapel included an early tradition no longer in practice: requiring the valedictorian and salutatorian to give a commencement address in Latin. Emblematic traditions that remain include the University Mace and President’s Medallion, with the addition of the ceremonial presentation of gonfalons at the May 2012 commencement exercises. The tradition of a university president shaking the hand of every graduate has become rare. Not so at the University of South Carolina. The university president greets and shakes hands with every Carolina graduate, alongside the dean of each college or school.

In recent years new traditions have emerged. It has become increasingly popular to decorate graduation caps. So much so that we’ve already spotted one on Instagram. And this year, for the first time ever at USC, International students can wear graduation sashes representing their countries at commencement.

Have you decorated your cap for graduation? Tweet #UofSC12 and we might feature it here.

Trivia Tuesday:
Be the first to answer this week’s trivia question correctly in the comments to receive a No Limits t-shirt. One tradition surrounding commencement is a surprise that not every graduating class gets to see, involving USC’s beloved mascot, Cocky. How do you know if Cocky is in your graduating class?

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A pirate’s haven, a mystery solved and the dream of playing in the big leagues were a natural part of Tommy Preston’s childhood. While being raised in the upstate of South Carolina, he was encouraged to read all kinds of books. But not every child is this lucky.

In fact, according the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 40 percent of South Carolina fourth-graders have below average reading levels.

So as an active member of USC’s student government, Tommy helped to establish Cocky’s Reading Express, a student-run initiative to combat illiteracy, especially for early readers. And leading the charge was Carolina’s beloved mascot, Cocky.

After our first trip, the request for visits came in rapidly,” recalled Tommy, now a local attorney. “At one point, I can remember having more than 100 invitations from schools, libraries, and literary events. That first year Cocky and USC student volunteers visited 20 schools around the state.”

Since those early days in 2005, the program has developed into a collaborative program of student government and the South Carolina Center for Children’s Book and Literacy (SCCBL), an outreach initiative of the School of Library and Information Science. Cocky and members of the USC community have visited every corner of the state, giving more than 50,000 books to kindergarteners, first- and second-graders.

At each event, the feathers fly as volunteers read to the kids. Of course, Cocky isn’t able to read aloud, but his energetic interpretations of the “’The Little Red Hen’ and other childhood favorites could win awards,” Tommy explains. ”In addition to receiving a free book, each child promises to read a book a day.”

Since those early days in 2005, the program has developed into a collaborative program of student government and the South Carolina Center for Children’s Book and Literacy (SCCBL), an outreach initiative of the School of Library and Information Science. Cocky and members of the USC community have visited every corner of the state,

The program has expanded to include information about nutrition and health as well as financial matters, explains Kim Jeffcoat, the executive director of SCCCBL. “We offer a full spectrum of programs that range from ones for elementary school, public libraries and special populations such as the School for the Deaf and Blind to ones that address special topics such as financial and nutrition literacy.”

The program has received support from Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, BP America, South Carolina Bank and Trust and others.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the support that Cocky’s Reading Express has received from organizations and individuals around the state,” added Tommy. “I truly believe that people are seeing the impact that our program is having on the state.”

And if just one child leaves a Cocky Reading Express event and is able to become a princess, or a pirate, after lights out, Tommy will sleep a little better.