CHARLESTON, SC (WIS) – A South Carolina State Representative filed a resolution urging the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees to rename the basketball court inside the Colonial Life Arena.
Representative Marvin Pendarvis, a Democrat from Charleston, tweeted on Wednesday that he tabled a resolution to rename the basketball court in honor of University of South Carolina coach Dawn Staley.
“It was important for us to recognize Dawn Staley’s contributions to the University of South Carolina,” said Dep. Pandarvis. “We know what she did on and off the court. Her track record speaks for itself with the SEC championships and national championships and the many, many women she has impacted on their lives. But we know what she did off the court. We know what she did for the Columbia community, the University of South Carolina and beyond. “
Staley is in her 13th season with Carolina. She is also a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and is the current head coach of women’s basketball for the US team.
“If there is anyone who needs a court with his name, it is Dawn Staley,” said Rep. Pandarvis.
Under his supervision, Gamecocks won five SEC titles of the regular season, six conference tournament championships and one National Championship in 2017. Other achievements include:
- She is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- She is the current US team women’s basketball coach
- 151 consecutive weeks ranked in the AP Top 25, including 80 weeks in the top five
- Eight seasons of 25 wins
- Four campaigns of 30 victories
- A school record of 34 wins in 2014-15
- Five SEC regular season championships (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020)
- Five SEC tournament titles (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020)
- Two main recruitment classes (No. 1 in 2019, No. 2 in 2014)
- Six NCAA participation titles, averaging over 10,000 fans each season (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Although the resolution changed the name of the court itself, the name Colonial Life Arena would remain.
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