March 19, 2009
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Etta “Mack” Baskin, wife of the late Weems Baskin, passed away Wednesday in Columbia at the age of 95. A staunch supporter of the University of South Carolina track and field program, Baskin died of natural causes. She was the wife of legendary coach Weems Baskin who served as head track and field coach at South Carolina from 1949 to 1969.
She is survived by two children: Weems O. Baskin III of Columbia and Ann Baskin of Charleston.
Funeral services will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park Saturday, March 21 at 1 p.m. by Rev. Dwight Keith, a former South Carolina football player (1956-58). Funeral services and visitation will be coordinated by the Dunbar Funeral Home located at 3926 Devine St. in Columbia, S.C. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Weems O. Baskin Jr. Endowed Fund in Sport Administration through the University of South Carolina Development Office.
“I remember times when the family asked me for parking passes so she could come and sit at the end of the track and watch us compete,” South Carolina head coach Curtis Frye said. “She was a strong supporter for our team. Our condolences go out to a dear member of the Carolina family. We hope that all the Gamecocks have a special thought in their hearts for the Weems Baskin family, one that has meant so much to this program from the 1950’s all the way to the present. We appreciate their support.”
Weems O. Baskin Jr. served as the head coach at South Carolina from 1949 to 1969 before serving as administrative assistant to the athletic director prior to retiring in 1972. South Carolina’s outdoor track facility was dedicated in his honor. After his death in 1993, the All-Comers Meet hosted by South Carolina each year was renamed the Weems Baskin Memorial Meet. The 2009 Weems Baskin Invitational will be held next Saturday, March 28 beginning at 10 a.m.
“The Baskin family loves Coach Frye and we love Carolina track and field,” Weems Baskin III said. “We wish the team very well throughout the season.”
Etta “Mack” Baskin – May 7, 1913 to March 18, 2009
