What is the connection between ESPN’s College GameDay and engineering and computing students? Not much, aside from STEM majors among the sea of students standing behind the commentators each Saturday morning during the college football season.
A popular tradition on the show is the variety of homemade signs that are held up and seen by the TV audience. When College GameDay broadcast from Columbia prior to the South Carolina game against LSU on September 14, one Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing student took advantage of an opportunity to continue a social media trend with a simple homemade sign.
Harry Weaver, a freshman mechanical engineering student, nearly missed the chance to showcase his “I [Heart] Nuclear Energy” sign during the College GameDay broadcast due to an unexpected downpour and last-minute chaos. Despite planning to arrive early, he found himself sprinting across the soaked Horseshoe, unsure if he would secure a spot near the front of the roaring crowd. As the clock ticked down to the 9 a.m. start time, Weaver squeezed his way to the front, unaware that his sign would soon appear on national television.
"I thought there was no way I’d make it to the GameDay set in time. I was running late after my study group went longer than expected and then trying to figure out where exactly I was supposed to go added more stress,” Weaver says. “I really thought I was going to miss the entire event, but somehow, everything worked out in the last few minutes. It was a complete scramble, and by the time I got there, I could barely catch my breath."
The first “I [Heart] Nuclear Energy” sign appeared on the College GameDay broadcast at Texas A&M University on August 31. The same message reappeared the following week at the University of Michigan. Weaver saw the viral moment online and decided to create his own version for College GameDay.
“That sign made a real impact, and I thought, 'Why not bring that energy here,'” Weaver says.
The poster was more than a clever attention-grabber. It reflected Weaver’s deeper passion for nuclear energy, which began long before he enrolled at the University of South Carolina. This past summer, he participated in a specialized nuclear energy program at North Carolina State University, further fueling his interest in the field.
“In class, we’re diving deep into the fundamentals, which is where I started to grasp the possibilities of nuclear energy,” Weaver says. “Beyond lectures, the labs are where things get practical. I’ve already worked on simulations to model nuclear reactions, and even small projects focused on waste management techniques. It’s one thing to read about this technology, but seeing it in action, even on a small scale, has been a game changer. It makes the impact of nuclear energy feel tangible.”
Weaver saw College GameDay as more than just an exciting event; it was a chance to bring nuclear energy into the spotlight. With his sign in hand, he hoped to inspire curiosity and discussion about an energy source he believes is both underutilized and essential for a sustainable future.
In addition to raising awareness, Weaver is actively engaged in nuclear research at USC. He works under Travis Knight, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, assisting on projects related to nuclear energy.
"Harry's passion for nuclear energy has been evident from the start. I always expect students to be all in, with a sense of purpose and enthusiasm for their pursuits. Harry embodies this and has a fire in the belly for nuclear energy," Knight says.
As he progresses in his studies, Weaver aims to explore the potential of nuclear energy further and encourage others to do the same. He is particularly excited about the potential of nuclear energy to address climate change in a meaningful way.
“We’re constantly hearing about renewable energy, but nuclear is often left out of that conversation, even though it’s one of the most reliable, low-carbon energy sources we have,” Weaver says. “The research work I’ve been doing has opened my eyes to just how transformative nuclear power can be, especially with advancements in safety and waste management. I see it as an untapped resource that could help us build a cleaner, more sustainable future.”