Columbia, SC – April 8, 2025
In a move that’s being called the most transformative project in the history of South Carolina athletics, Dawn Staley has officially unveiled plans for a dedicated, world-class training and performance facility for Gamecock women’s basketball — the first of its kind in the country.
The $85 million facility, funded through a mix of private donors, university support, and national sponsorships, will include:
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A championship court built to WNBA specs
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Custom recovery and sports science labs
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A NIL media studio for player branding
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A museum-style Hall of Champions honoring Gamecock legends
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A rooftop terrace for team bonding and community events
Staley, who called the project “a dream I’ve carried since Day 1,” said it will be a space that honors the past, dominates the present, and empowers the future.
“We’ve won with less. Now imagine what we’ll do with this,” Staley said, drawing thunderous applause from players, alumni, and fans at the reveal.
Construction is set to begin in early 2026, with the facility slated to open before the 2027 season. The building will be located near Colonial Life Arena and will be exclusively for the women’s basketball program — a bold and symbolic move signaling the era of equal investment in women’s sports.
University leaders hailed the announcement as a “monument to progress,” while fans online quickly began calling it “Staley’s Palace.”
“This is what happens when you mix vision with results,” said South Carolina AD Ray Tanner. “No one deserves this more than Coach Staley and our phenomenal student-athletes.”
