The University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball team is set to make a triumphant march down Gervais Street Wednesday. The team won the NCAA national championship on April 3, with a 64-49 win over UConn. Photo by Cam Adams.
The celebration in Columbia will continue this week for the University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball team, the 2022 NCAA national champions.
A parade to honor the champs, scheduled for this Wednesday at 6 p.m., will begin at the corners of Laurel and Main Streets and end at the State House with city and university officials, including Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. The Gamecocks, under Head Coach Dawn Staley, clinched their second national title April 3, defeating second-seed UConn 64-49 in Minneapolis.
“We are excited to announce this celebration in honor of our Gamecocks. Coach Staley’s hard work has turned the University of South Carolina into a national powerhouse,” said Rickenmann. “This team made us proud all year and a parade downtown is a great way for us to showcase that pride. Congratulations to all of the Gamecocks and also to Aliyah Boston on winning five National Player of the Year Awards.”
While towing will be enforced in many parking areas along the route, free parking will be available at the Taylor Deck, 1101 Taylor Street, Canon Deck, 1227 Taylor St., Washington Deck, 1100 Washington St., and Park Street Deck, 1007 Park St., where there will also be a shuttle stop from 5-9 p.m.
Road closures for the parade will begin at 4 p.m., at 1100 and 122 Richland St., 1100 and 1200 Laurel St., and 1800 and 1900 Main St.
Other closures will continue closer to the start of the parade, at 5:30 p.m., including 1100-1300 Gervais St., 1300 and 1400 Senate St., 1000-1100 Sumter St., and 1000 and 1100 Marion St. Roads will reopen after the conclusion and clean-up of the parade route.
“I can’t wait to celebrate our national champions with y’all!” said Rickenmann in a tweet announcing the parade.