Aug. 19, 2005
Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina head baseball coach Ray Tanner is one of three individuals that will receive an honorary life membership from the Carolina Alumni Association. Tanner and other honorees will be recognized at the Class Reunion and Alumni Awards Gala on Friday, Oct. 21 at the Columbia Convention Center as part of the week’s Homecoming Celebration. The honorees will also be acknowledged at halftime of the South Carolina-Vanderbilt football game on Saturday, Oct. 22.
“I am humbled and honored to receive such a prestigious award,” said Coach Tanner. “My family and I are grateful to be a part of the University of South Carolina.”
Since coming to Carolina in 1997, head baseball coach Ray Tanner has compiled a 413-175 record, winning over 70 percent of baseball games USC has played. Coach Tanner will enter his 19th year of coaching and owns an overall record of 808-348-3 with 14 appearances in the NCAA Tournament as a head coach at NC State and South Carolina.
Last season, Tanner became the fourth fastest active coach to reach the 800-win plateau. He has averaged over 44 wins a season and is currently the eighth winningest active coach in Division I college baseball. Over the past six years the Gamecocks own a 301-110 record, the third most wins in Division I Baseball in that time frame as well as an SEC-best 115-64 in conference matchups.
Since the 2000 season, Tanner’s squads have reached the NCAA Regionals six times, made five NCAA Super Regionals, clinched four SEC Eastern Division titles, earned two SEC Championships and won the school’s first SEC Tournament title. Atop the list includes three consecutive trips to the College World Series from 2002-2004 including a national runner-up finish in 2002. In addition, Tanner has produced 21 All-Americans as well as 25 All-SEC performers to go along with 52 players that have signed professional baseball contracts.
“Ray represents what is right about college athletics,” said South Carolina athletics director Eric Hyman. “This honor recognizes his contributions throughout the years at USC. What a terrific tribute!”
Coach Tanner has been involved in numerous community activities and has recently established a charitable foundation with his wife Karen to serve the city of Columbia and the Midlands.
“Ray Tanner certainly stands out as an ambassador for the University of South Carolina,” said Carolina Alumni Association executive director Marsha Cole. “He sets an example for everyone with the standards he sets as a coach. He is a wonderful person and we are delighted to honor him.”
Tickets for the Alumni Awards Gala are available at www.carolinaalumni.org.
