From the Desk of Jeremiah Donati, No. 4
South Carolina Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati discusses the hot topics around Gamecock Athletics
DEAR GAMECOCKS:
As we approach the end of the academic and athletic year, there’s a lot our student-athletes and department continue to accomplish, and I want to take some time to provide those updates to you!
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES
While the business of college sports continues to evolve, the value of a college degree remains constant. At South Carolina, we take pride in preparing our student-athletes for life beyond graduation.
Our student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom. With the combined results of the Fall and Winter SEC Academic Honor Rolls, South Carolina leads the conference with 215 student-athletes honored.
Last Thursday, I had the privilege of participating in the annual Senior Ring Ceremony to present our graduating student-athletes with their rings. On Friday and Saturday, 107 Gamecock student-athletes took part in commencement exercises.
THIS IS OUR STATE
For the sixth time in the last seven years, we captured the Palmetto Series, presented by the SC Education Lottery, with a final score of 7-4. Carolina earned points against Clemson in football, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s golf, volleyball and secured the point for the most LIFE Scholarship recipients to bring the title back home to Columbia. I am excited about our momentum going into next year’s Palmetto Series!
WORKING WITH THE BEST
Today, we announced a multi-year partnership with Legends, a global premium experience company. As part of this partnership, Legends will oversee premium seating and support ticket sales and fundraising for the renovated Williams-Brice Stadium. Legends has worked with over 90% of Power Four university athletics departments in the past 15 years, and we’re thrilled to join their roster of partners.
SEC CHAMPIONS
Congratulations to our women’s golf program who, on April 18, captured their second SEC title and first since 2002, joining women’s basketball and equestrian as SEC Champions this year.
Additionally, Sophie Verzyl captured the SEC Championship in the 3-meter diving event and JaMessia Ford repeated as the SEC Indoor Champion in the 200-meter sprint.
A special congratulations to women’s golf head coach Kalen Anderson who captured her fifth SEC Coach of the Year honor.
GEARING UP FOR FOOTBALL
I enjoyed being under the lights at Williams-Brice Stadium for the first time at our annual Garnet & Black Spring Game presented by Palmetto Shirt Company. We had a massive crowd in attendance who were enjoying the evening as well!
While kickoff for the 2025 season is a little more than three months away, Gamecock football is in record breaking demand! New season ticket sales are the highest on record and Gamecock Club memberships are up over 48% since 2021.
I can’t wait to see all of Gamecock Country fill the stands at Williams-Brice Stadium and follow us on the road this fall as we cheer on Coach Beamer and the team.
POSTSEASON GAMECOCKS
Under first year head coach Ashley Chastain Woodard, our softball team won 39 games heading into the SEC Tournament, marking the most wins in a season for a first-year head coach in program history. On Sunday, the Gamecocks were selected as the No. 8 seed for the NCAA Tournament, their first national top-8 seed in modern program history. They will host the Columbia Regional May 16-18 at Carolina Softball Stadium.
Both our men’s and women’s golf teams earned top 4 seeds in the NCAA golf regionals. South Carolina is one of 12 schools that had both it’s men’s and women’s programs selected as a top 4 seed. Our men’s team opened NCAA Regional play on Monday and our women’s team captured the NCAA Charlottesville Regional Title last week. The women’s team will make the program’s fifth-straight trip to the NCAA Championship May 16-21.
On the tennis courts, our women’s team advanced to their 30th consecutive NCAA Tournament making it to the second round and our men’s team advanced to the SEC Championship Match and then advanced to the NCAA Super Regional for the fifth straight year.
Our track and field team will be in Lexington, Kentucky starting on Thursday to compete in the SEC Outdoor Championship. The women’s team is currently ranked sixth nationally and the men’s team is ranked 28th.
A LEAGUE OF HER OWN
On April 30, the City of Columbia, in partnership with Statues for Equality and generous community partners, unveiled a statue honoring our legendary head Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley. Coach Staley’s impact transcends the game of basketball and reaches so many places in our society. Her reflections on the statue’s meaning and the message she hopes to leave for young girls was very impactful. Well done, Coach!
NFL AND WNBA DRAFT RECAP
We’re proud to see more Gamecocks will be representing the Garnet & Black in the professional ranks.
Five football players were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft: Nick Emmanwori, T.J. Sanders, Demetrius Knight Jr., Kyle Kennard and Tonka Hemingway. Additionally, seven Gamecocks signed free-agent deals.
Three women’s basketball players were selected in the 2025 WNBA Draft Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall and Sania Feagin.
Congratulations to all these student-athletes and we look forward to seeing their continued success.
ATHLETICS DIRECTOR’S RECEPTION
On April 16, I was able to connect with local fans and alumni at a reception hosted by the Gamecock Club at Williams-Brice Stadium, I appreciate the chance to share updates on both Gamecock Athletics and the broader landscape of college sports.
GAMECOCK GALA
Our student-athletes have accomplished so much this season and we recently celebrated their achievements at the annual Gamecock Gala.
Congratulations to all of our award winners including JaMessia Ford, Female Athlete of the Year, LaNorris Sellers, Male Athlete of the Year, and Louise Rydqvist, President’s Award. I’d like to give a special thanks to our staff that worked tirelessly to put this event on.
Big things are in store for Gamecock Athletics. I look forward to keeping you informed about our progress and the evolving world of college sports. I remain continuously inspired by our student-athletes and the passion of our fan base. Here’s to celebrating even more success together.
FOREVER TO THEE!
