South Carolina baseball players celebrate their national champion in a parade held in their honor on July 2.
The problem arises from members of Congress debating the merit of honoring sports teams.
“We need to raise the bar and start doing serious work around here,” U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) said last week. “I don’t care if it’s a Democrat, I don’t care if it’s a Republican, if it’s in the world of sports – they get enough recognition. We’ve got important business.”
The national title is South Carolina’s first major title in school history and the resolution to honor national champion teams is a common practice.
A number of lawmakers believe that the sports programs are honored enough outside of Washington, D.C., and believe that time shouldn’t be wasted when much more serious issues are on Congress’ floor.
The Gamecocks took home college baseball’s national title this season in Omaha, Neb., with a 2-1 11-inning win over UCLA on June 29.
South Carolina swept UCLA in a two-game series for the right of national champions.
South Carolina defeated eight different teams to reach the final spot in the college baseball world, including two wins over in-state rival Clemson to eliminate the Tigers from the College World Series.
The Gamecocks went 11-1 during the college world series, with regional wins over Bucknell, The Citadel and Virginia Tech and Super Regional wins over Coastal Carolina.
The dispute not only focuses on South Carolina’s title, but also on numerous sport related measures including measures for the national champion Alabama Crimson Tide football and Duke Blue Devil basketball teams.
House recognizes Gamecocks
Despite the dispute in the Senate, the team was recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives by South Carolina democratic representative John Spratt.
“Madam Speaker, I join other members of the South Carolina delegation in cheering the University of South Carolina baseball team and Coach Ray Tanner for winning the 2010 College World Series,” Spratt said.
Spratt also commented on the impact that the championship would have on the city of Columbia.
“This win was the university’s first championship in any men’s sport, and its impact upon the city of Columbia and the state was immediate and profound,” Spratt said. “It is hard to believe that the Gamecocks prevailed even when they were one strike away from elimination in the quarter-final game.”
Spratt also recognized other teams from the state that reached NCAA postseason play.
“The College World Series is a tribute to the impact of baseball on our state,” Spratt said. “Five public universities from South Carolina made the field of 64, and during the semifinal, a great in-State rivalry was played out on the national stage as the Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Clemson Tigers to advance to the finals.”
Spratt closed his speech by reminding the floor of the hard work the USC baseball players put into their season, saying that they proved to be great examples of determination and work ethic.
“In addition to their athletic abilities, these young athletes serve as examples of the power of hard work, perseverance, and commitment,” he said. “They have our gratitude and admiration, and I commend them for their sterling achievement.”
South Carolina finished the 2010 season with a 54-16 record.
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