The University of South Carolina 2010 NCAA National Champions

Let me let this Headline sit for a few days and soak up the feeling before i write anymore detail. Congratulations USC Job Well Done.

     A Gift To All Gamecock Fans

     Gamecock fans are much different than any other fans in the world. Diehard is an understatement for them, i know because i am one and have been for years. The heartbreaking part about being a USC fan is always coming so close in so may sports and games,only to come up one yard short or one run less or one free throw missed. Through the years the USC Gamecocks have fielded some very competative teams in the major college sport divisions,and have enjoyed some good decent seasons along the way. But, never have the Gamecocks won a major NCAA National Championship. June 30th 2010 in Nebraska, in a stadium called Rosenblatt that all changed. a rugged and talented Gamecock baseball team delivered the 2010 NCAA Championship to all the enduring lifelong Gamecock fans across the world.

     It is sometimes hard for the common everyday sports fan to understand a Gamecock fan. Gamecock fans are similiar to family traditions down here. Myself for example,i pulled for the Gamecocks as early as Kindergarten, why? because my dad was pulling for them, and my brother, and my other brother, and my uncle, well you get my drift. Sometimes being born into being a fan seemed to be more of a curse than a blessing. Coach Ray Tanner has changed all of that with one superb season. The 2010 baseball team has accomplished what no other major mens team at USC has and has singlehandedly made being a Gamecock fan for all those years worth it.

     The Gamecocks have enjoyed some quite successful teams in the past, and have played for the Championship in the College World Series 3 other times.1975 – The 1975 Gamecocks won four games at the College World Series behind strong starting pitching, but were ultimately defeated twice by the Texas Longhorns. In the title game, Texas defeated South Carolina 5-1. The Gamecocks finished the season with a 51-6-1 record 1977 – Just two years after finishing #2 nationally, the Gamecocks returned to Omaha in 1977. South Carolina rode solid pitching to three victories, before losing twice to Arizona State. In the title game, the Sun Devils defeated the Gamecocks 2-1. South Carolina finished the season with a 43-12-1 record. 2002 – The Gamecocks returned to the CWS in 2002 after not reaching Omaha since 1985. After an 11-0 loss to Georgia Tech, the Gamecocks reeled off four straight victories, including two against arch-rival Clemson. South Carolina met Texas in the title game, losing 12-6 to the Longhorns. The Gamecocks finished the season with a 57-18 record. The difference is this year they won and they earned every bit of it.

     There are way too many heroes on this baseball team to name the all, and in a way that is what makes this team the greatest, they played as a team and are one team. Each player supported the other player and when one started to falter,someone stepped in to help him along. The culmination of a major college championship fills a large void that Gamecock fans had to carry with them each and every day for over 100 years. Now USC is dawning on a new era, a brighter future and a bar raised to be met. This game was in some ways not so much about all the Gamecock fans able to enjoy the win,but seemed to be more for the old gamecock fans that are not around with us anymore, and never got to enjoy the ultimate success. Call it a laid to rest blessing, but now Gamecock fans that may have passed away well now they can rest peacefully. Thank you Gamecocks.

the 2010 Gamecock Baseball Roster all deserve a standing ovation