Celebrating 50 Years of Women's Sports: USC's Historic Reunion

The University of South Carolina is marking a big milestone this school year—it's the 50th anniversary of women's varsity sports! The university threw a special celebration to honor the female student-athletes who have made a mark on Gamecock Athletics. On Sunday, over 250 former athletes, representing every varsity sport from the past six decades, took part in a halftime parade during a basketball game against Texas. Dawn Ellerbee, a former track and field star and USC Athletics Hall of Famer, was thrilled to be part of the event. "It's amazing to be recognized as a part of history, " she said. The excitement was shared by all the attendees, who were happy to reunite and have their accomplishments celebrated. The festivities started earlier in the day with a reception at Williams Brice Stadium. Among the attendees were USC Athletics Hall of Fame inductees and the First 18—the first group of women to receive athletic scholarships at the university. Nona Kerr, a member of the First 18, reminisced about her time at USC, where she played basketball, tennis, and softball. "It was the start of something fantastic, " she recalled. This celebration was not just about looking back; it was about acknowledging the trailblazers who paved the way for future generations of female athletes. It's a reminder of how far women's sports have come and the impact they continue to have.