Longtime supporter to fund new women’s initiative

As a lifelong Gamecock fan and 1984 South Carolina graduate, Lou Kennedy has long been a prominent supporter of the university and Gamecock athletics.

Now she is taking her support to a whole new level.

The CEO of Nephron Pharmaceuticals and a Columbia business leader, Kennedy and her husband Bill are funding a new initiative known as The Women of South Carolina. The program aims to build on the success of Gamecock women’s sports and ensure a continued commitment to excellence.

The initiative will enhance the experience of female student-athletes, particularly those whose efforts and success don’t normally attract the media spotlight, by providing resources not only during their Gamecock careers but throughout the rest of their lives.

Kennedy, who sponsors the Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center at the USC Pharmacy School and the Kennedy Greenhouse Studio at the Journalism School, says the initiative will support all female athletes, including Gamecock cheerleaders and the Carolina dance team.

“What I have been trying to do is find a way that I could get the dance team and the cheerleaders to be as recognized and show how appreciative we are of them,” Kennedy said. “When I found out that this would be going to all women athletes, I was convinced that this was absolutley the right thing to do and I thought it sent a strong message.

“I’m here to show a giant hand of support for all of these women’s sports.”

South Carolina’s women’s programs have been successful across the board for years and this season was no exception with the women’s basketball team finishing the year ranked No. 1 in the nation and women’s golf finishing the year as the highest ranked team in the SEC at No. 4.

“Lou and Bill Kennedy are great Gamecocks and this gift demonstrates the passion and dedication that makes our women’s sports programs great,” Athletics Director Ray Tanner said. “We have a history of commitment to our women’s sports programs and I am proud of where they stand today and with this gift, we look forward to even more success.”

Over the past decade, every South Carolina women’s team has made multiple postseason appearances. While women’s basketball may have highlighted that success with a 2017 national championship, 2015 Final Four and five SEC Regular-Season and SEC Tournament titles, they were by no means outliers.

Since 2010, South Carolina’s 11 women’s programs have amassed two team national titles, eight SEC regular-season championships and nine SEC TournaKennedy to fund new Women of South Carolina initiative for student-athetes

From staff reports • Illustration by SC Athletics

There is a special culture at South Carolina in which our women’s teams have thrived. – DAWN STALEY

ment crowns. Those teams have been powered by 103 All-Americans and 167 all-conference selections. In addition, track & field crowned two individual and one relay team as national champions last year.

“We are grateful for the support from Lou and Bill Kennedy of our women’s athletic teams,” said Maria Hickman, Executive Associate Athletics Director and Senior Women’s Administrator. “This contribution will allow our female student-athletes the opportunity to elevate their performance in sport and in life. It allows our department to create new programming such as leadership and career development to assist with building upon their success.”

The Women of South Carolina initiative will directly impact student-athletes through:

• Resources and facility enhancements for all women’s athletic programs. • Program development through team-building opportunities and chances to travel and compete internationally. • Career development and professional networking through South Carolina’s student-athlete mentor program. • Leadership training to help student-athletes continue to grow as leaders in sports, business and society. • Endowed scholarships that provide financial aid for worthy student-athletes.

“There is a special culture at South Carolina in which our women’s teams have thrived,” South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley said. “The Women of South Carolina will continue that tradition of athletic success and of developing incredible young women into leaders.”

To find out more about the Women of South Carolina initiative, please visit thegamecockclub.com/the-women-ofsouth-carolina/ or contact Chrissy Schoonmaker at 803-777-5723 or schoonma@mailbox.sc.edu.