Since July 2016, William Gunter and The Early Game show crew on WNKT (107.5 FM) have provided a voice for University of South Carolina sports fans.

From 6– 9 am on weekdays, Gunter, co– host Tim Hill and producer Jennifer Jensen have given Gamecock supporters a place to voice to express their support and concern about the program’s athletics. A lifelong Gamecock fan and former Lexington High School basketball player, Gunter takes a realistic, jovial approach to his job and conveys that energy over the airwaves.

For this latest Front Porch, Gunter talks about the show, Gamecock fans and the post– Bailey Harris era at his alma mater:

Q. How long have you worked on the Morning Show and describe the experience?

GUNTER – This past July 5th was our 3– year anniversary. It has been a great experience because I work with really fun people. Every day is different and I am lucky to work with Tim (Hill) and Jen (Jensen) who I mesh with really well and look forward to creating something every morning.

Q. How have you changed your planned program format since starting the Morning Show?

GUNTER – I don’t know if we have “planned programming.” It is more “controlled chaos” I guess you could say.

We do have a production meeting before every show just to make sure we are kind of on the same page. But, the content of those meetings can be thrown out of window by the end of the first segment.

Sometimes because we start laughing or something comes out and everything that was discussed prior to the show becomes irrelevant.

At the end of the day, it is a sports talk show. We try not to take ourselves too seriously and have fun. There are people with far more important jobs... we are just entertainment and that is what our goal is each morning – to talk sports, but also provide an entertaining show for those listening in.”

Q. Has your opinion on Gamecock fans changed and how would you now compare them to other fan bases?

GUNTER – Growing up, I was a Gamecock fan and many of my friends are Gamecock fans. So I kind of know what to expect. It is a good fan base, but a skittish fan base that is usually waiting for something bad to happen. When you look at the history, it makes sense.

I think there are many fan bases that are similar, but there are also several that have experienced far more success and when something happens, they believe their program will overcome it which usually seems to be different than the Gamecock fan base.

Q. What are your realistic expectations for the football team this season and how does that compare with the fans?

GUNTER – I think realistic is probably 8 wins. I continue to talk about how different the perception of the team would be if they had beaten Virginia in the (Belk Bowl). However, they did not just lose, they got blown out and it was embarrassing (a 28– 0 defeat).

The schedule is difficult, but this is a pretty good team with veterans in key positions and I think Will Muschamp has upgraded the talent across the board to the point that outside of the big 3 games (Alabama, Georgia, Clemson), South Carolina is not completely outmatched when they take the field.

Q. Do you find yourself having to perform a balancing act when it comes to defending or even criticizing sports at UofSC?

GUNTER – I don’t know if it is a balancing act, I think it is just being me and being honest. The perception is that because we are the “Home of the Gamecocks,” we can’t be as critical as others. But, that really isn’t true.

However, if you are going to be critical, you need to have your facts in order and clearly state why you are being critical. I can’t just go on air and say things without having solid facts that back them up.

That is the way I view it and if I use the facts and that upsets anyone, I don’t see it as my fault. I see it as something they need to get fixed.

Q. If you were responsible for a Mount Rushmore of UofSC Sports, how would be on it?

GUNTER – The ole Mount Rushmore question ...First off, I always try to answer any question like this by using what I have seen. So I apologize to anyone who may have Frank McGuire on there, but I never saw him. So, I can’t have him on mine. But, I think you would have to start with Ray Tanner because of the 2 National Championships.

A’ja Wilson would certainly need to be on their because of how she impacted the women’s program, the attention she gave to them and how she did all the right things on and off the court.

The other 2 could be a number of people. I would probably right now have to go with Connor Shaw and Sindarius Thornwell though for their accomplishments.

Q. How strange will it be following Lexington basketball this season and not seeing Bailey Harris on the sidelines?

GUNTER – It will definitely be different. Not that I won’t always be a Lexington alum, but I think what will be different is that I won’t feel that connection to the team that I have always felt.

Being my coach, having coached with him, there was a relationship there that when someone new comes in (Elliott Pope was hired to replace Harris), he won’t be there and that makes me a little sad but will definitely be different.