The numbers have changed: How many Gamecocks seniors might return, what it will cost
Some Gamecocks will get a second go at a season they lost. Others will bypass another year of college and move on to the next steps in their lives.
And the group with that chance to return is smaller than originally expected, according to the University of South Carolina.
According to a list of projected scholarship costs, the school at this point has 21 student-athletes who could possibly return for a final year on campus — the NCAA gave them the chance after spring sports were cut short because of the coronavirus pandemic. That group would have a projected total cost to the school of $547,076.
The figure is notably lower than an initial number of $1.082 million that athletic director Ray Tanner had said in early April. That earlier projection was based on all spring seniors returning, a figure that was closer to 45.
Since then, the NCAA has clarified guidelines, which included some track athletes not qualifying for the COVID-19 exception if they still have indoor eligibility. Tanner’s initial number also didn’t include some athletes returning as graduate students, which means different numbers in terms of costs.
The 21 figure is also by no means final, as some student-athletes still might decide to not return. Some might pursue professional sports opportunities or just finish their degrees and move on in the world.
The list includes four baseball seniors and four from softball, accounting for every senior on both teams. Although none of the baseball seniors project to get picked in a shortened draft, all could try to play for pro teams at various levels.
Overall, the projected costs per athlete range from as high as $43,674 in scholarship money for one beach volleyball player to a baseball player getting $1,800.
Former NCAA men’s tennis singles champion Paul Jubb, who has already announced he will go pro, is not on the list. Both seniors on the women’s tennis team have indicated they will return. Otherwise USC has not said how many student-athletes have committed to returning.
Breakdown of the 21 athletes who can still come back:
Women’s tennis: Two
Men’s golf: Two
Women’s golf: Two
Beach Volleyball: Three
Women’s track: Three
Men’s track: One
Softball: Four
Baseball: Four
This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 1:21 PM.
