Aug. 17, 2010

COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina head men’s basketball coach Darrin Horn recently spoke at two events benefitting the Gamecock Guarantee Fund at Carolina.

The Gamecock Guarantee Fund is a need-based financial and academic support initiative for academically qualified first-time freshmen who are residents of South Carolina. 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 or technology fees for all four years of their schooling at the University of South Carolina and will receive a minimum award of $2,500 per year. Approximately 334 students are currently benefitting from this program, which is in its third year of existence.

Horn first spoke to the Delta Zeta sorority at its house in the Greek Village on campus. His presentation to the crowd of nearly 200 focused on leadership, team building and working hard to attain goals. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the University’s Gamecock Guarantee Initiative.

His next stop was at the pre-semester orientation for freshmen benefitting from the Gamecock Guarantee Fund this year at The Zone in Williams-Brice Stadium. Horn spoke to a crowd of 400 about college life, while again focusing on working hard to attain goals through academic diligence. Officials from the Opportunity Scholars Program hold the orientation at the start of classes to deliver essential information to help students with the transition to collegiate life.