Farewell, Andrew: USC baseball’s longtime media relations director is headed back home
South Carolina’s regular season finale Saturday afternoon against Georgia also marked the final game for USC Sports Information Director Andrew Kitick at Founders Park.
It was announced Friday night that this will be Kitick’s final season with the Gamecocks. He is in his 16th year working at South Carolina.
Kitick is making the move to return to his home state of Illinois.
“I wanted to be closer to my family,” he said. “My father and brother are back up there in Chicago, and I just want to have the opportunity to see them more and spend some more time with them.”
Kitick started at South Carolina in June 2001, working with women’s soccer and swimming and diving from then until 2006.
In 2002 he took over as the baseball SID and in 2007 he started working with football as well.
Kitick made trips with the Gamecocks to the College World Series in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2011 and 2012, with South Carolina winning the national title in 2010 and 2011.
He considers the two national titles to be the highlight of his memorable time at USC.
“This is a special place because of special people. There are moments that are going to stay with me for the rest of my life,” Kitick said. “The coaches, the athletes, the staff members are like family to me in a lot of ways. They’ve been there for me through my good times and my struggles. The one word that I keep going back to is ‘special.’ It’s a special place with special people, and that’s hard to leave, but sometimes you have to.”
Many baseball seasons and 2 College World Series Championships later, we say goodbye to our SID, @akitick! We will miss you!! #ForeverToThee pic.twitter.com/ctbB9PUsev
— Gamecock Baseball (@GamecockBasebll) May 20, 2017
.@akitick shown love on @SECNetwork -- 'There are few people like him in the world. ... A huge loss for college baseball.' pic.twitter.com/o9NUClTUYG
— GoGamecocks.com (@gogamecocks) May 20, 2017
Thank you @akitick for everything you have done for SC baseball. You have been the best since you started and a great friend!
— Scott Wingo (@ScottWingo8) May 20, 2017
That's another kidney shot in a gut-punch of a season. Haven't met finer people, never mind SIDs, than Andrew Kitick.
— David Cloninger (@DCTheState) May 20, 2017
@akitick Want to wish you the best of luck. College baseball will miss you. You are a friend and an outstanding ambassador for the sport.
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogersD1) May 20, 2017
You're exactly right about this. It came as a shock to me, and I haven't fully processed this news. https://t.co/6PWkbrf3xJ
— John Whittle (@johnmwhittle) May 20, 2017
They don't get any better than @akitick. USC will have an impossible time replacing him & he will be greatly missed by the media.
— Kevin McCrarey (@KMacMustDie) May 20, 2017
I had to write a postgame story with a heavy heart tonight after learning of @akitick's coming departure from USC. He's a gem of an SID.
— Mike Wilson (@ByMikeWilson) May 20, 2017
Fact: SIDs are the unsung heroes of college sports.@akitick is one of the best. Best of luck in your future endeavors. #ForeverToThee ⚾️
— Alex M. Grant (@AlexGrantTV) May 20, 2017
Learned that @akitick is stepping down as longtime baseball SID after season. Sad news. He's done so much for this program. All the best!
— Spurs & Feathers (@SpursFeathers) May 20, 2017
I'm sure I gave @akitick some lip along the way, but he was the best to work with. #TipOfTheCap #Respect
— Drew Meyer (@DrewMeyerUSC) May 20, 2017
Last day in the press box with this guy! It's been a fun year and a half at South Carolina @akitick thank you for everything! pic.twitter.com/Ik0Z8Riu7y
— Baley Murphy (@MurphyBaley) May 20, 2017
Thank you @akitick! Love you for life brother! #GamecockGreat @GamecockBasebll @GamecocksOnline pic.twitter.com/riPrQ3tZGL
— Ryan Fischer (@RyanFischerSC) May 20, 2017
Best to @akitick as he leaves SC Athletics. Does great work with a childlike enthusiasm and a great guy to work with! Thanks, Andrew.
— Brent Johnson (@brentjohnson88) May 20, 2017
Now that the word is out on @akitick & his plans to depart @GamecockBasebll & Cola, want to take a moment to say what a great person he is.
— Derek Scott (@DScottGamecocks) May 20, 2017
Very few have done their job as well as @akitick did sports information for @GamecockBasebll. Congrats on a great 16yr run. Godspeed!
— Mike Morgan (@MorganOnAir) May 20, 2017
The SEC is a league full of really good SIDs and Andrew Kittick of @GamecockBasebll may be the captain of that squad.. #AsGoodAsItGets
— Mike Rooney (@Mike_Rooney) May 20, 2017
This story was originally published May 20, 2017 at 4:03 PM with the headline "Farewell, Andrew: USC baseball’s longtime media relations director is headed back home."