History

Women's basketball along with volleyball began competition on campus as club teams in 1967. At that time, both teams had not budget, uniforms or equipment. In 1974, women's teams were placed under Student Affairs with a small budget that increased each year. In the following years, more teams like gymnastics, tennis, softball and swimming were added to give women more opportunities in sports. In 1973, the women's basketball club team first appeared in the Carolina Coliseum during the 1973-74 season with two games scheduled as pre-game events to men's games. The first scholarships for women athletes were awarded for the 1975-76 academic year with 18 women from six sports receiving scholarship aid for their athletic achievements. In 1974, the women's basketball team gained varsity status at South Carolina when it placed under control of the department of athletics along with the first Associate Director of Athletics for Women, Helen Timmermans. Under Timmermans' guidance, the program quickly became one of the most successful in the country. Pam Backhaus, the team's first official head coach during the 1974-75 season, led the "Chicks," as they were known then, to a 18-12 record, finishing fourth in the State Tournament and advancing to the AIAW Regional Playoffs. The team continuing their winning ways throughout the 1970's as they recorded a 96-59 record, advanced to AIAW regional playoffs four consecutive years, 1978-81, and won the 1980 regional with wins over teams like Southern California and Northwestern. During that year, the Lady Gamecocks advanced to the final four and lost to Tennessee, 75-72, before defeating Louisiana Tech, 64-61, in the consolation game to for third place. In 1979 the Lady Gamecocks won the National Women's Invitation Tournament in Amarillo, Tex., with wins over California, Oregon, and Drake.

The Lady Gamecocks basketball program advanced from competing as an independent to joining the Metro Conference in 1983-84. They enjoyed eight years as one of the most dominating teams in the conference. Over those eight seasons, their record was 167-81. They captured the Metro regular season championship in 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991, and also won the Metro Tournament Championship in 1986, 1988 and 1990. Carolina advanced to the Metro Tournament finals three other times, losing to Southern Mississippi in 1987, Southern Mississippi in 1990, and to Florida State in 1991. All of the conference championships were under Coach Nancy Wilson, whose 227-152 record in 13 seasons are in the Carolina records books for both total wins and longevity. Her .589 winning percentage is about the same as the overall winning percentage. Pam Parsons, 101-43, in four plus seasons, had the best winning percentage at .701. The Lady Gamecocks have had five head coaches during its 27 years; Pam Backhaus, 1974-75 and 1976-77; Frankie Porter, 1975-76, Terry Kelly, only male to served as head coach, 1982-84, Nancy Wilson 1985-1997 and current head coach Susan Walvius who is entering her fifth season.

Before the 1991-92 season, the University of South Carolina switched to the Southeastern Conference, the toughest women's basketball conference in the country. The Lady Gamecocks have made progress in the ten years in the conference and has the athletes, coaching and determination to succeed in the SEC.

Text Courtesy of USCsports.com