Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2019

58 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.BestOfMP.com | www.ReadMPM.com feature administrator. Locally, The Citadel recently promoted athletic fundraiser Mike Capaccio to AD, while Charleston Southern University’s AD, Jeff Barber, held the position at Liberty University. Here’s a glimpse at four men who lead these foot- ball-playing colleges: Name : Ray Tanner Occupation : Director of Athletics University of South Carolina Began as AD — July 13, 2012 Born : March 25, 1958; Smithfield, North Carolina Alma Mater : North Carolina State University Seems like the last time we saw Ray Tanner, he was dressed in his baseball uniform, wearing his now-retired No. 1 jersey, standing on the top step of the dugout and watching as his Gamecocks captured back-to-back national championships. Believe it or not, the ultra-successful coach is beginning his seventh year of leading the Gamecocks’ department of athletics. There’s absolutely no chance that he’ll return to the dugout anytime soon, as his successes in the AD’s chair earned him a contract extension that will keep him in Columbia until 2024. In other words, he’s doing a fantastic job. As USC’s baseball coach and AD, Tanner has overseen 17 of South Carolina’s 28 SEC regular season and tournament championships and four of the Gamecocks’ seven national championships. And during his brief tenure as the AD, the Gamecocks have had 26 teams finish in the Top 10 and 52 finish in the Top 25. This season, Carolina has had four teams ranked in the Top 10 and 12 teams in the Top 25. Additionally, USC’s student-athletes have accomplished academic and athletic feats while performing more than 7,100 hours of community service since Ray has been at the helm as AD, leading the SEC yet again (this last season by more than 3,000 hours). Facility-wise, the Gamecocks have among the best around and have the staff to match, and Tanner is known for listening intently to his coaches in order to help improve each program. Nationally, Tanner recently completed his fourth and final year as a member of the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee and his second year serving as its chair. A three-time National Coach of the Year and Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year, Tanner completed 16 years as head coach at USC, establishing one of the premier programs in college baseball prior to being named AD. In addition to his two NCAA Division I Baseball Championships, there is a pair of national runner-up finishes. Tanner gained valuable experience on the international level in his association with USA Baseball, having served five stints, including in 2003 as head coach for the USA National Baseball Team. He was named the U.S. National Coach of the Year for his efforts that season. Tanner was named the Gamecocks’ baseball coach on June 14, 1996, after nine successful seasons as head coach at his alma mater, North Carolina State. Photo courtesy of Ray Tanner.