Ray Tanner to Receive Richard Allen Award
Presentation to be Held February 11
University of South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner is one of three recipients of the 2022 Richard Allen Award, given Friday evening, February 11, at the United Negro College Fund Scholarship Gala, hosted by Allen University.
The Richard Allen Awards recognizes individuals who have led the way in educating our youth and who have made exceptional contributions to our society.
Tanner received the honor along with Dr. Gregory B. Levett, Sr., founder of Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes and Crematory, and Mr. James A. Muhammad, the first African-American President and CEO of Lakeshore Public Media.
“I appreciate the UNCF and Allen University for recognizing me with this prestigious award,” said Tanner. “I share this honor with my athletics department staff, especially our academic and student development staff, who create such great opportunities for our student-athletes to learn, grow and prepare for life after graduation.”
As Athletics Director at South Carolina, Tanner has led a department where student-athletes have achieved athletic, academic and community success.
Carolina student-athletes have posted a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or better in 30 consecutive semesters.
Under his watch, the Gamecocks have won two national championships, 16 Southeastern Conference regular season and tournament championships, and posted three of the top six finishes in the Learfield College Directors’ Cup All-Sports Standings in school history. Mr. Tanner also spearheaded the development of “The Gamecock Student-Athlete Promise,” which was the first school in the SEC to guarantee four-year scholarships for all qualifying sports.
In 16 years as South Carolina’s head baseball coach, he won 738 games, back-to-back national championships in 2010-11 and his 70.0 winning percentage is second highest in SEC history. Prior to coming to Carolina, he was the baseball coach at N.C. State, his alma mater, for nine seasons, leading the Wolfpack to seven NCAA Tournaments.
Tanner and his wife Karen have been active in the Columbia community, through the Ray Tanner Foundation, providing assistance to economically and medically disadvantaged children. He is also a board member of the Columbia Urban League.
The Benson, N.C. native came to Columbia in 1996 when he was named head baseball coach for the Gamecocks. He became South Carolina’s Athletics Director in 2012 and is currently celebrating his 26th year overall at USC.
Tanner and his wife, Karen, have three children, Gracie, Luke, and Maggie.
