Written by
The Sports Network
Ray Tanner was the guest speaker at the First Responders of the Midlands Memorial Dinner on August 25
Columbia, SC (WLTX) --- As Ray Tanner prepares to enter his 16th sesaon as the CEO of USC's baseball program, he can remember the early days of hitting the road to promote his team.
When Tanner was hired by USC in the summer of 1996, he would offer to speak to various groups and organizations in an effort to promote Gamecock baseball and hopefully, that would motivate some people to come out to Sarge Frye Field and enjoy the atmosphere.
Sixteen years and two national titles later, Tanner's schedule is now packed full. He no longer has to invite himself to speak, but he doesn't see it as a burden. The coach says he enjoys meeting people and talking baseball because he understands there is a passionate group of fans who are pure baseball fans at heart, besides being fans of the garnet.
Tanner admits he might be the best bargain on the lecture circuit - his speaking fee is the same as it was 16 years ago - $0.