COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina baseball will now be played at “Ray Tanner Field” in honor of the two-time College World Series-winning coach and outgoing athletic director.
The school announced the name on Friday and said it would begin with the 2025 season. The stadium remains Founders Park after Founders Federal Credit Union extended its naming rights last month through 2035.
The school said a group of Gamecocks athletic donors contributed $2.5 million to name the field in honor of Tanner, who announced last month that he would step down as athletic director after 12 years once the school hires his replacement.
Tanner was South Carolina's baseball coach from 1997 to 2012. He attended six College World Series, winning in 2010 and 2011. The Gamecocks were national runners-up in 2012 and Tanner became the school's AD a few weeks later.
“This is a tremendous gesture from my friends and donors,” Tanner said in a statement. “I am grateful for their commitment to this project.”
Tanner hired former LSU national championship coach Paul Manieri last June to replace Mark Kingston, who was fired after seven seasons.
A dedication ceremony for the field will be held when South Carolina opens its baseball season in February.
