The South Carolina Department of Transportation and the University of South Carolina on Tuesday unveiled a new design for 15 highway signs that will be placed across the state.
The signs commemorate the Gamecock women's basketball team's NCAA Tournament championship in 2024. Similar changes were made to highway signs across the state in 2022, as the South Carolina Department of Transportation honored the team in similar fashion when the Gamecocks took home its second national championship.
South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner and the South Carolina Secretary of Transportation Justin P. Powell were in attendance at the unveiling.
Staley said she took pride in the unveiling the sign, thanking the fans and supporters of Gamecock women’s basketball.
“When I do see (the signs), I’m thankful,” Staley said. “It’s an honor to represent the state in this way and to be able to be a women’s basketball program here and win a national championship.”
The highway signs will be placed in each direction near welcome centers along the state boarder on I-85, I-26, I-77 and I-95. Another will be placed on East Bound I-20. In the City of Columbia, signs will be at I-20 East Bound Exit 58 and West Bound Exit 73A, I-26 Exit 111B in both directions, I-77 Exit 5 in both directions and at the Harbison Street exit intersection of South Bound SC-227.
The signs will be installed by Sept. 30.
The Gamecocks won the team’s third national championship on April 7 after defeating Iowa 87-75. South Carolina made history by going undefeated throughout the campaign, a feat that only four other programs have done in the history of women’s college basketball.
“We are beyond thrilled to be here as we recognize your team and their third championship in seven years,” Powell said, addressing Staley. “South Carolinians, regardless of what team you cheer for, are proud of what you and your team have built here in Columbia.”
Staley thanked all the people who contributed to the team's goal of winning a national championship, emphasizing that the success of the team is greater than that of her staff and her players. She also joked that this may not be the last time highway signs around the state are updated.
"I hope that this is an annual event,” Staley said.
The new national championship signs can be seen across the state after they are installed by Sept. 30.