We are the champions.....

I can't even begin to describe the emotions that are going around Gamecock nation right now, I am SO proud to be an alum and even prouder of our amazing baseball team and amazing coach! The Gamecocks winning the National Championship in the LAST game to be played in Rosenblatt stadium, wow...we will definitely be remembered forever. We went out last night to "Five Points" which is the college age hang out/bar area. It was CAAARAAAAZY! To say people were excited would be an understatement. I know a lot of other big schools out there have won lots of championships, but this is only our SECOND national championship. SECOND? I mean I know our lousy record in football, but really only two national championships for a school that is over 200 years old and is the flagship university for a whole state. Let's just say the "chicken curse" was alive and well for a long time. I couldn't be more happy for it to happen to Coach Ray Tanner, he is without a doubt one of the classiest coaches in all of sports. He is a wonderful man with a huge heart and I am so so happy our boys brought home the gold for him.

If you aren't a Carolina fan, you may be unaware of another story that followed the Gamecocks during the post season. You need to read about it here, written by my good friend Travis. Bayler Teal, a 5th generation Gamecock...and the heart of the team for the season passed away Thursday night, we were playing against Oklahoma at the time....almost not making it past them. I like to think Bayler is smiling down on the team from heaven, they played for him the whole series and never gave up hope! Bayler's family laid their son to rest on Sunday and decided they were going to Omaha, it was only fitting. After Carolina beat their arch rival Clemson TWO times to make it to the championship series, we knew Bayler must have had a hand in it somehow. Bayler's family was going to foot the bill, but thru Travis' hard work and the effort of a whole lot of others, Gamecock nation pulled together and has donated tons of money to the family to help pay their way. My favorite part of last nights win, was the team taking the trophy over to the family afterward, what an amazing, selfless group of young men. Whit Merrifield (the guy who got the last base hit to send in a run for the WIN) was quoted last night as saying, "I felt Bayler's hand on my bat." This little boy was only on this earth for 7 short years, but he will be remembered for a long time to come, it is such an amazing thing to see these guys step up and do it for Bayler.

Here's to my GAMECOCKS!