First look: SC highway signs updated to honor Gamecock women’s basketball national titles

South Carolina women’s basketball won its third national championship in Cleveland on April 7. The victory meant road signs, banners and trophy cases would need to be updated back home to reflect the historic win.

Nearly five months later, the Palmetto State has crossed one item off the list.

Athletics director Ray Tanner, state of South Carolina Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell and coach Dawn Staley unveiled new highway signs to honor USC’s 2024 national championship in a ceremony Tuesday at Colonial Life Arena.

“I hope that this is an annual event,” Staley said of the unveiling. “And I wish that for not just us, for everybody that’s a part of making this happen. We appreciate you, and we look forward to seeing not only 15 signs around the state, but especially the ones around here in Columbia.”

Fifteen signs will be installed around the state and city of Columbia by Sept. 30.

Gamecocks women’s basketball went 38-0 during the 2023-24 season, completing the first undefeated campaign in Division I since the UConn Huskies in 2016.

No updates on other commemorative signage in and around the arena or where the Cleveland Final Four logo will go, though USC is working on it. Staley said that’s “above her paygrade.” Her job, she said, is to win and make it harder for South Carolina to figure out where to put things.

“One (national championship) felt great,” Staley said, reflecting on USC’s 2017, 2022 and 2024 national titles. “...We had three in 24 years of my coaching, and it took 17 years to get one. Then once you get one, you’re relieved. Because it’s something you work extremely hard for. And then you win another one, and you feel super blessed.

“And then a third one, it brings out the greed. You want more. You want more and more.”

The Gamecocks begin the 2024-24 “repeat tour” (as dubbed by point guard Raven Johnson this spring) on Nov. 4 versus Michigan in Las Vegas.

South Carolina WBB national champion sign locations

All signs will be installed by September 30.

Highway:

• Welcome Centers near the South Carolina border on I-85, I-26, I-77, I-95 (both directions) and East Bound I-20

Columbia:

• I-20 East Bound Exit 58

• I-20 West Bound Exit 73A

• I-26 Exit 111B (both directions)

• I-77 Exit 5 (both directions)

• Harbison Street Ext. intersection of South Bound SC-277