Former USC head coach Ray Tanner is set to be honored before Friday's season opener.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) - Opening Day in Gamecock Nation is set to have an opening act that could potentially overshadow the season opener.
University officials have planned a special ceremony to honor former USC baseball coach Ray Tanner before the Gamecocks take on Liberty Friday at 3pm in the first game of the 2013 baseball season.
A full house is expected to be on-hand to see the ceremony. The game is sold out.
New USC coach Chad Holbrook is expecting a special day.
"We're going to do something for Ray Tanner that I think Gamecock Nation will be thrilled and happy to see," said Holbrook. "In many ways it probably will be an emotional day. It's certainly going to be emotional for me for a lot of reasons. He's meant so much to this university and baseball program and it's time we start the process of giving back."
Fans are being asked to arrive early as the pre-game festivities are set to begin at 2:35pm.
Standing-room only tickets are still available for the Saturday and Sunday games.
South Carolina set a record this year for season ticket sales with 5,835 sold.
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