The South Carolina Stingrays Mascot is a beloved figure at ice hockey games. The mascot, known as "Cool Ray," is a vibrant and energetic character that adds to the excitement of game days. Cool Ray is a stingray, a nod to the team's name, and is known for its playful and friendly nature. The mascot is often seen interacting with fans, leading cheers, and participating in on-ice activities during intermissions. The design of Cool Ray is a blue stingray with large expressive eyes and a wide smile. The costume is complete with a team jersey and other accessories that represent the team's branding.
The costume is complete with a team jersey and other accessories that represent the team's branding. Cool Ray's presence at games is a highlight for both children and adults alike. The mascot provides entertainment and engages with the crowd through various antics and dance moves.
North Charleston Coliseum – South Carolina Stingrays
The North Charleston Coliseum is a 13,000-seat multi-purpose arena located in the northwestern suburbs of Charleston, SC. The facility seats 10,537 in its hockey configuration. It opened in 1993 as a part of a municipal complex that also includes a performing arts center and a convention center. The Coliseum is the home of the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL and hosts several Charleston Southern basketball games that would not fit in the Buccaneers on-campus gym.
The Stingrays have been a part of the North Charleston Coliseum since the day it opened, as they began to play in the 1993-1994 season. They are the oldest continuously operated ECHL team to remain in its founding city. They are also the first pro hockey team in the state of South Carolina. The team plays in the South Division of the Eastern Conference of the ECHL.
The Stingrays franchise has had a very successful history in North Charleston. They have qualified for the ECHL playoffs in all but one of the years in their existence. The team has won the Kelly Cup three times. More than thirty Stingray players have gone on to play in the NHL, predominately with the Boston Bruins and the Washington Capitals. The team presently has an affiliation agreement with Washington.
Food & Beverage 4
North Charleston Coliseum provides a unique setting for its concession offerings. It gathers several national vendors (Papa John’s, Roe Roe’s, Chick-fil-A) and a generic arena stands in a food court setting that projects out from the concourse. It is quite spacious and is filled with tables and chairs for literally hundreds of people with room to spare. This allows fans to enjoy their meals in between periods in a much more comfortable way than balancing their food in their laps. The generic arena stands are also found on the concourse in other sections of the arena.
Beverages sold in the coliseum include Pepsi brand sodas ($4), iced tea ($3.75), craft beers ($9.50), and wine ($9.50). Booze Pops include Buzz Pops in flavors such as mango and Moscow Mule ($10), Martini Pops in watermelon and lemon ice flavors ($8) and Wine Pops in strawberry or daiquiri flavors for $6, and Margarita Pops ($6).
The food selection at North Charleston Coliseum is quite broad. It includes the typical arena fare of pizza ($7), nachos ($5.75), popcorn ($4.50), and candy ($3). Foods not typically found in this setting include noodles ($10), fried rice ($7), funnel cakes ($6), and the Booze Pops.
Atmosphere 4
The Stingrays have created a better-than-average game-day environment for a small market team. The lighting inside the arena is excellent and the ice surface is one of the finest in the ECHL. The rink features the very colorful blue and red Stingray logo on the center ice.
More than a dozen banners hang from the rafters, celebrating the many conferences and divisional titles the team has won over the years.
The scoreboard/video board over center ice is used to its greatest potential, as it features replays, statistics, has graphics for almost any event that occurs during a game including power plays, goals, penalties as well as segments on the team and the usual dance and kiss cam during breaks in the action.
Neighborhood 5
North Charleston is a northwestern suburb of Charleston. It became a city in 1972 and has now grown to be the third-largest city in the state. Over the years it was primarily known as the home of the Charleston Naval Yard. When the Naval Yard was closed in 1996, the area began to transition to a more service-related economy due to the proximity of the Charleston International Airport.
The coliseum/performing arts center/convention center was built to capture much of the business before it reached the Historic District, where space is limited, and strict regulations prohibit large-scale projects. This action proved very successful as North Charleston now has a wide range of dining shopping and lodging options for travelers at much lower rates than are found in the downtown Historic District.
Two attractions you will want to check out while in North Charleston are the Waterfront Park along the Cooper River, which includes a memorial to the people who worked in the Naval Shipyard during its 95 years in existence, and the Hunley Project. The Hunley was a Confederate submarine that disappeared in 1864 during the Civil War. It was located in 1995 and was raised out of the river in 2000. The Hunley Project outlines the history of the Hunley during the war and provides a look at the painstaking process of restoring the more than the 150-year-old vessel.
There are numerous dining and lodging options in and around the North Charleston Coliseum. Three restaurants to check out are the Mellow Mushroom, the Community Pizza House, and the Bonefish Grill. There are two hotels located adjacent to the Coliseum. Staying at either the Embassy Suites or the Hampton Inn will save you the $10 parking charge for events at the Coliseum.
Fans 4
The Stingrays have built a solid fan base over the years, as Charleston is a major retirement market for people who previously lived in cold weather climates. You will find that the team has a well-educated set of fans for a southern outpost of the ECHL. The crowd is very enthusiastic when the Stingrays are on the power play or are doing a great job of keeping the puck in the opposition’s end of the ice.
After a Stingray’s goal, you can always expect the crowd to issue a (name of opposing goalie)… You Suck! cheer. The fans are decked out in both their former home favorite from back up north, as well as Stingrays gear. The Reef Shop in the coliseum offers a much wider choice of team merchandise than you would typically find at this level of hockey.
One of the fan favorites at the North Charleston Coliseum is Cool Ray, the Stingray mascot. Another popular offering by team management is a ride in the team’s FanZam between periods. Unlike most arenas where one fan is chosen for the ride, this Zamboni is a virtual busload of fans.
The food selection at North Charleston Coliseum is quite broad. It includes the typical arena fare of pizza ($7), nachos ($5.75), popcorn ($4.50), and candy ($3). Foods not typically found in this setting include noodles ($10), fried rice ($7), funnel cakes ($6), and the Booze Pops.
It creates a fun and lively atmosphere, bringing even more excitement to an already thrilling sport. In addition to its role at home games, Cool Ray also attends community events and school visits. The mascot represents the team in the local community, promoting the sport and creating a connection between fans and the team. Both fans and players appreciate the enthusiasm and energy that Cool Ray brings to every game. The mascot is an important part of the South Carolina Stingrays' identity and has become a symbol of the team's spirit and camaraderie. Overall, the South Carolina Stingrays Mascot, Cool Ray, is a beloved figure that adds joy and excitement to ice hockey games. With its playful nature and engaging presence, the mascot has become an integral part of the team's fan experience..
Reviews for "The South Carolina Stingrays' Mascot: its Significance in the Team's History and Legacy"
1. John - 1 star - I recently attended a South Carolina Stingrays game and I have to say, their mascot is just awful. It looks like a poorly designed cartoon character that is creepy rather than fun. Its movements are stiff and awkward, and it lacks any sort of personality or charm. I found myself cringing every time it interacted with fans. Overall, the mascot was a major disappointment and really took away from the enjoyment of the game.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - The South Carolina Stingrays mascot is just plain boring. It lacks the energy and excitement that you would expect from a sports team. The costume itself is unimpressive, with no unique features or interesting design elements. It also doesn't seem to engage with the crowd, making it feel like an afterthought rather than a vital part of the game experience. I think the South Carolina Stingrays could definitely benefit from upgrading their mascot to something more entertaining and engaging.
3. Mark - 2 stars - I was not a fan of the South Carolina Stingrays mascot. It seemed outdated and uninspired. The costume itself was not well made, with visible seams and a lack of attention to detail. The mascot's movements were clunky and awkward, and it didn't seem to have any distinctive personality or characteristics. Overall, it just felt like a generic mascot that could be found at any sports event, and didn't add anything unique or memorable to the South Carolina Stingrays game.