COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) -- The University of South Carolina baseball team was recognized during the annual Carolina Day event at the Statehouse Wednesday morning.
Gov. Nikki Haley presented Head Coach Ray Tanner with the framed Gamecock flag that flew over the Statehouse last year after his team captured its second straight College World Series win.
Haley presented coaches and players with the "Back-to-Back National Champions Day" proclamation from last July.
"I, Nikki Haley, do hereby proclaim Gamecock Baseball Back-to-Back National Champions Day," said Haley. Click here to read the proclamation.
"There was not a person in this state that did not have chills when they saw the Carolina flag flying over the Statehouse."
Other university representatives asked legislators to support university requests including regulatory relief, money for maintenance projects, and money for a new initiative allowing residents to finish their bachelor's degree online.
Carolina owns more overall wins than any SEC team in the last 12 years and more conference wins than any SEC team in the last 12 years with a 222-137 conference record.
Expectations are high for the coming season, but Coach Tanner and his team are not worried about them.
"Our season starts in a few days, and we'll do our best to try to put a great team on the field once again," said Tanner.
The Gamecocks open the 2012 season on Friday, Feb. 17 hosting a three-game series with VMI at Carolina Stadium.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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