Finally, something to be excited about when it comes to Carolina Baseball!! The University of South Carolina Baseball program has been honored with the 2024-25 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Team Excellence Award. The Gamecocks were one of more than 440 collegiate programs and nearly 300 high school teams nationwide to earn the distinction. The prestigious award recognizes programs led by the ABCA-member coaches with a cumulative team GPA of 3.0 or higher for the entire academic year.
The ABCA was established in 1945 and has honored academic and athletic excellence in baseball through longstanding programs such as the ABCA/Rawlings All-America and All-Region teams, Coaches of the Year awards, the ABCA Hall of Fame, and the Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Award. The selection process for the ABCA Team Excellence Award opens following the conclusion of the spring semester, with nominations due by July 18. The eligibility requirements include:
- A head coach in good standing as an ABCA member.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale for the academic year (note: GPAs cannot be rounded up).
At South Carolina, 14 Gamecock student-athletes were also named to the SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll, while another 16 freshmen earned spots on the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll. The honors are clear evidence of the academic commitment across the roster for the Gamecocks' program.
For South Carolina baseball, this accolade brings national recognition to the balance between competitive performance and academic achievement. The award also reflects the culture instilled by the coaching staff and program, as well as the academic support personnel. It's an approach that ensures Gamecock student-athletes succeed both on and off the field. As the South Carolina Baseball program continues to build in the offseason, this honor sends a powerful message: for the Gamecocks, excellence is measured in wins and GPAs.