Carolina to Retire Bouknight's Jersey Friday Night
COLUMBIA – The University of South Carolina athletic department will retire the jersey of Kip Bouknight prior to the Gamecocks’ April 28 game against Auburn. First pitch between the Gamecocks and Tigers is set for 7 p.m. at Founders Park.
Bouknight is the winningest pitcher in South Carolina history, compiling a career record of 45-12 with a school record 482 innings and starting a Carolina best 66 games. He holds school records for strikeouts (457) and decisions. In 2000, Bouknight went 17-1 to help lead the Gamecocks to a 55-10 record and an SEC championship.
After the 2000 season, Bouknight won the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, presented by USA Baseball as the top amateur baseball player in the United States as well as being named a consensus All-America selection by the ABCA, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball. He helped Carolina to back-to-back Super Regional appearances in 2000 and 2001.
“The retirement of Kip’s jersey is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest players in the history of Gamecock baseball,” said Athletics Director Ray Tanner, who also was Bouknight’s head coach at Carolina. “Kip was one of the fiercest competitors I ever coached. He competed to be great and that he was, setting school and career records on his way to earning SEC and national honors.”
“I’m excited for Kip and his family to celebrate this exciting announcement,” said head baseball coach Mark Kingston. “He is one of the legends in our program and his impact is still felt to this day. His accomplishments on and off the field have elevated Gamecock baseball and he bleeds Garnet and Black. Congrats to Kip on a well deserved honor.”
Bouknight’s No. 14 jersey will adorn the outfield wall along with former head coach and current Athletics Director Ray Tanner’s No. 1 jersey and former Gamecock pitcher Earl Bass’ No. 13 jersey.
By policy, there is a five-year waiting period after a former Gamecock student-athlete’s final season of participation before their jersey can be considered for retirement. As part of the policy, the University will retire jerseys, but will not retire numbers. Those numbers previously retired will continue to be in a retired state.
The first 800 fans at Friday’s game will receive a Kip Bouknight rally towel.
The Gamecocks will host Auburn in a three-game SEC series starting Friday night. Saturday’s game will start at 4 p.m. with Sunday’s contest slated for noon. Sunday’s game will be televised on SEC Network.
