Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Top ‘Cocks recruit Clowney on path to qualify academically

Jadeveon Clowney Makes Football Announcement Getty Images
 Back in February, shortly before Jadeveon Clowney‘s delayed announcement that he was signing with South Carolina, it was reported that questions were being raised as to whether the nation’s top recruit in 2011 would qualify academically.

Based on one report, that’s no longer an issue.  Based on another, however, the academic issue has yet to be completely decided.In a tweet sent late Tuesday night, Tony Morrell, recruiting analyst for TheBigSpur.com, reported that “Clowney is now qualified by NCAA standards” and that “[h]e should be admitted to USC in June and start classes in July.”

That would certainly qualify as good news for those sweating Clowney’s status, except for the fact that Rivals.com‘s USC site has tossed, at least temporarily, a (very) little bit of cold water on anything being officially finalized on the academic front.

GamecockCentral recruiting analyst Chris Clark reported Wednesday morning that “[w]hile Clowney’s academics meet the criteria to qualify under NCAA standards, he still has not been certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse.”  Clark, however, goes on to write that navigating the Clearinghouse and USC admission hurdles should not be an issue for the defensive end.

“Not that it’s a problem, I’m told it’s simply too early in the process for that to happen,” Clark wrote. “His Clearinghouse certification and admission to USC are essentially the two remaining steps in his path to USC, and both of those are expected to be fine according to what I hear.”

In other words, all of this academic stuff should be cleared up in time for Clowney, expected to contribute immediately as a true freshman, to participate fully in summer camp in two months.
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Friday, July 2, 2010

Celebration continues in Columbia for Gamecocks


COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - The celebration continues Friday for the University of South Carolina men's baseball team as the City of Columbia is throwing a parade for the national champion team.

Beginning today at noon, the parade will start at the corner of Main and Laurel Streets, travel down Main Street and end at the corner of Main and Gervais Streets.

Immediately after the parade, a brief ceremony will be held to honor Coach Ray Tanner and the Gamecocks with the Key to the City. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Friday's parade is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the celebration so far. On Wednesday during the team's return from Omaha, nearly 14,000 people crowded the Colonial Life Area to congratulate the team for its victory.

Tanner has also received considerable praise for his leadership. He received of the Order of the Palmetto Thursday.

"This is statewide significance to win a national championship is a big deal anyway you cut it and the action speaks for itself," said Gov. Mark Sanford over the team's victory.

Tanner was also honored by Collegiate Baseball newspaper, who named him the Coach of the Year for 2010.

The Gamecock baseball flag was also placed atop the State House Thursday. It will remain there Friday during the parade.

We will be streaming the parade live on WIStv.com beginning at noon.

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