Feb. 23, 2010

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Garnet Army neckties, first worn by South Carolina head men’s basketball coach Darrin Horn in South Carolina’s SEC victory over LSU on Jan. 13, is now for sale. The retail price for the tie is $54.98. Fans can purchase the tie online at www.GamecocksOnline.com, at remaining home men’s basketball contests and at all Jewelry Warehouse locations. Coach Horn will once again wear the Garnet Army necktie at this Saturday’s home game versus Mississippi State, to be broadcast on ESPN.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Gamecock Guarantee Fund, an aid and support program for South Carolina students. The goal of the program is to make a Carolina degree more attainable and affordable for first generation, low income residents of the state. Those who qualify for the program will not be required to pay any out-of-pocket tuition for all four years of their schooling at the University of South Carolina and will receive a minimum award of $2500 per year. Approximately 200 students are currently benefitting from this program, which is in its second year of existence.

For more information on the Gamecock Guarantee Fund, please contact Polly Laffitte, director of development, at 803-777-3236 or Scott Verzyl, associate vice president for enrollment management and director of undergraduate admissions at 803-777-7700.