South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball

South Carolina Gamecocks
University	University of South Carolina
Conference	SEC
Location	Columbia, SC
Head coach	Dawn Staley (2nd year)
Arena	Colonial Life Arena (Capacity: 18,000)
Nickname	Gamecocks
Colors	Garnet and Black
Uniforms
Home Away Alternate
NCAA/AIAW Tournament Final Four
1980
NCAA/AIAW Tournament Elite Eight
2001
NCAA/AIAW Tournament Sweet Sixteen
1989
NCAA/AIAW Tournament appearances
1980, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2001, 2002
Conference tournament champions
Metro Conference: 1986, 1988, 1989
Conference regular season champions
Metro Conference: 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represents the University of South Carolina and competes in the Southeastern Conference. The team enjoyed its greatest success under head coach Nancy Wilson during the 1980s in the Metro Conference when it won five regular season conference championships and three conference tournament championships. Since 2002, the team plays its home games at the Colonial Life Arena.

Contents 1 History 2 Head coaches 3 Year-by-Year Results 4 Notable players 4.1 Gamecocks in the WNBA 4.2 Retired jerseys 5 References

History

The first Gamecocks women's basketball team to compete at an intercollegiate level dates back to 1923 when they were called the Pullets. The first varsity team, known as the Carolina Chicks, took to the court in January 1974 under the guidance of Pam Backhaus. The inaugural team compiled a record of 15-7 and were the South Carolina AIAW Champions. In 1977, with Pam Parsons as the head coach the women's basketball team, they changed their nickname to the Lady Gamecocks and made post-season trips every year with her at the helm. However, Parsons was forced to resign when Sports Illustrated published a story, Stormy Weather at South Carolina, that accused Parson of having a sexual relationship with one of her players.^[1] The program enjoyed its greatest run of success when it joined the Metro Conference in 1983. During its eight seasons in the league, the Lady Gamecocks won the regular season championship five times and the conference tournament three times.^[2] Head Coach Susan Walvius resigned on April 14, 2008 and Dawn Staley was named the new head coach of the Lady Gamecocks on May 7.

Head coaches

Year-by-Year Results

Notable players

Gamecocks in the WNBA

• Shannon Johnson — Detroit Shock

Retired jerseys

Retired jerseys[3]
No.	Player	Years
53	Sheila Foster	1978-1982
13	Martha Parker	1985-1989

References

University of South Carolina Academics University of South Carolina School of Law • Moore School of Business • Palmetto Health Richland • University of South Carolina Press Athletics South Carolina Gamecocks • Carolina-Clemson rivalry Men's Sports: Baseball • Basketball • Football • Soccer • Tennis • Track & Field Women's Sports: Basketball • Soccer • Softball • Tennis • Track & Field • Volleyball Facilities: Williams-Brice Stadium • Colonial Life Arena • Carolina Stadium • Stone Stadium People: Mark Berson • Curtis Frye • Darrin Horn • Beverly Smith • Shelley Smith • Steve Spurrier • Dawn Staley • Ray Tanner Campus The Horseshoe • Currell College • Melton Memorial Observatory • South Carolina Institute of Anthropology and Archaeology • W. Gordon Belser Arboretum • Koger Center for the Arts Student life Cocky • The Daily Gamecock • WUSC • Student Gamecock Television (SGTV) • The Fighting Gamecocks Lead the Way • We Hail Thee Carolina • Mighty Sound of the Southeast • Five Points • Congaree Vista • Riverbanks Zoo • Lake Murray Miscellaneous Notable Gamecocks • Presidents • Board of Trustees • History of the University • Clariosophic • Euphradian • S.C.C. Cadets

Southeastern Conference women's basketball Teams Alabama Crimson Tide Arkansas Lady Razorbacks basketball Auburn Tigers Florida Gators Georgia Lady Bulldogs Kentucky Wildcats LSU Lady Tigers Ole Miss Rebels Mississippi State Bulldogs South Carolina Gamecocks Tennessee Lady Volunteers Vanderbilt Commodores Championships & awards SEC Women's Basketball Tournament Player of the Year