S*1394 Concurrent Resolution, By Courson, Alexander, Anderson, Bauer, Branton, 
Bryan, Courtney, Drummond, Elliott, Fair, Ford, Giese, Glover, Gregory, Grooms, 
Hayes, Holland, Hutto, Jackson, Land, Leatherman, Leventis, Martin, Matthews, 
McConnell, McGill, Mescher, Moore, O'Dell, Passailaigue, Patterson, Peeler, 
Rankin, Ravenel, Reese, Richardson, Russell, Ryberg, Saleeby, Setzler, Short, 
J.V. Smith, Thomas, Waldrep, Washington and Wilson
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
 GAMECOCK BASEBALL TEAM ON BECOMING REGULAR SEASON SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE
 CHAMPIONS FOR 2000, AND SALUTING THE TEAM, COACHES, AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL FOR
 ALL OF THEIR AMAZING SUCCESS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THE 2000 SEASON.

   05/16/00  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-9
   05/17/00  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-16

CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCK BASEBALL TEAM ON BECOMING REGULAR SEASON SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS FOR 2000, AND SALUTING THE TEAM, COACHES, AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL FOR ALL OF THEIR AMAZING SUCCESS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THE 2000 SEASON.

Whereas, the University of South Carolina Gamecock baseball team, in what has indeed been a storybook season of thrills and success, has clinched the regular season championship of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) for 2000; and

Whereas, the Gamecocks also have won the East Division title and have emerged as a genuine national championship contender; and

Whereas, the University of South Carolina baseball team has been ranked number one in the country for five consecutive weeks; the Gamecocks have compiled an overall record of 50-6, which is the best record in the nation; they have compiled an SEC-leading record of 25-5 and started the 2000 season with a twenty-two game winning streak, an SEC record; and

Whereas, the Gamecocks, with twenty consecutive conference victories, tied the SEC record in that category; they also ran off twenty-four straight victories toward the latter part of the regular season; and

Whereas, the Gamecocks appear to have it all this year -- pitching, hitting, catching, and fielding; the team has tremendous confidence in their ability to win games, having come from behind late in numerous contests to clinch thrilling victories; attendance has skyrocketed sixty-three percent over last year at Sarge Frye Field; and the University of South Carolina has been selected to host a NCAA regional tournament on May 26-28; and

Whereas, the Gamecocks have swept several SEC foes in three-game conference series, namely, Auburn, Alabama, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Georgia, and Tennessee, and also defeated arch-rival Clemson in both games played between the Gamecocks and Tigers during the regular season; and

Whereas, coaching has been stellar by the entire coaching staff, and Head Coach Ray Tanner is a top candidate for "National Coach of the Year" and has already been named SEC Coach of the Year for 2000; and

Whereas, the Gamecocks' ace pitcher, Kip Bouknight of Lexington County (Brookland Cayce High School), has been named the SEC's Player of the Year for 2000. Bouknight led the conference in ERA (2.66), strikeouts (122), and wins (15-0); and

Whereas, as voted by the twelve head coaches in the SEC Conference, five Gamecocks were named to the All-SEC baseball team. They are Kip Bouknight and Scott Barber on the first team and Drew Meyer, Nate Janowicz, and Peter Bauer on the second team; and

Whereas, success seems to know no bounds for this amazing baseball squad; they are the talk of the whole country; they have accomplished so much since the 2000 season began in early February and appear poised to achieve even more as the regular season winds down and post-season play begins; they have brought great joy to the hearts of the Gamecock faithful everywhere and have made all South Carolinians very, very proud; and

Whereas, we are greatly pleased to have the opportunity to recognize and honor this fantastic baseball team and program in this special manner. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, congratulates the University of South Carolina Gamecock baseball team on becoming regular season SEC champions for 2000 and salutes the team, coaches, and support personnel for all of their amazing success and accomplishments during this dream season.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the University of South Carolina baseball team, coaches, and support personnel in care of Head Coach Ray Tanner.