“It means everything. When I was in the crib, my mother went to the University of South Carolina and was homecoming queen. She always pulled for the Gamecocks and I always have. She is 84 and watched every game. She stayed up (Tuesday) night, and it meant everything to her. I didn’t think we would ever see South Carolina win a championship in a major sport, but they did it. I went to work today and couldn’t get anything done.”

— Jarrette Burckhalter

“This is for the USC athletic family and the fans. We’re all a part of it, and we’ve waited on this a long time. A national championship in any sport is big. I think this is the start of something big for the Gamecock nation.”

— Former USC basketball player Carlos Powell