The roar in the stands of South Carolina Gamecocks athletics reached a new pitch on Thursday evening when six of the program’s most decorated alumni were honoured in the 2025 Gamecocks Hall of Fame induction at the university in Columbia. From clutch buckets to relays, from deep-dives to match-point finishes, this class spans sports, eras and global legacies — the kind of moment that echoes long after the confetti settles.
The class that leaves a mark
The induction class includes:
- A’ja Wilson (women’s basketball) — elevated the Gamecocks’ program into national-championship territory and now adds Hall of Fame induction to her growing legacy.
- Natasha Hastings (women’s track & field) — an Olympic gold-medalist sprinter and college powerhouse whose speed still reverberates.
- Mollie Patton (women’s soccer) — the goalkeeper whose shutouts and academic excellence still stand as benchmarks for the program.
- Brandon Hulko (men’s diving) — a four-year letterman whose consistency and performance in the pool helped elevate the diving program’s standard.
- Akram Mahmoud (men’s swimming) — a 10-time All-American and Olympian whose endurance events put him on the map.
- Paul Jubb (men’s tennis) — clinched the first NCAA singles title in program history and now brings that history into the Hall.
Together, they represent six different sports and a shared theme of commitment, excellence and legacy that continues to ripple through South Carolina athletics.
Why this class matters
- Legacy beyond college: Each of the inductees didn’t just shine at college — several have gone on to global platforms. Wilson and Hastings, for instance, made names for themselves far beyond Columbia.
- Diversity of sport: The class spans basketball, track & field, soccer, diving, swimming and tennis. That breadth highlights the depth of the Gamecocks’ athletic tradition.
- Foundation for future generations: These are the kind of names younger Gamecocks will look up to. Whether you’re on the court, the pool deck or the track, their stories set a benchmark.
Spotlight moments from each inductee
- A’ja Wilson dominated the hardwood: she helped lead South Carolina to its first NCAA Final Four as a freshman in 2015, captured the first national title for the program in 2017, and walked off her college court as a record-setter in points (2,389) and blocks (363).
- Natasha Hastings left her mark as a 10-time All-American, three-time NCAA champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist — her indoor 400m record of 50.80 at South Carolina still inspires.
- Mollie Patton’s goalkeeping record looms large: 15 shutouts in a single season (2009) still stands as program-best; she also excelled in the classroom.
- Brandon Hulko collected multiple All-American honours in diving, while Akram Mahmoud held school records in the 1000 and 1650 freestyle and represented Egypt at the Olympics.
- Paul Jubb rewrote the tennis history books: his 2019 NCAA singles title was the first in program history, and his 38-4 record that year set a standard.
Ceremony & the atmosphere
Picture a crisp evening in Columbia, the crowd bathed in garnet and black, the echoes of applause resonating through Williams-Brice Stadium. The ceremony on October 23 celebrated not just the names, but the sweat-soaked practices, the locker-room camaraderie and the late-night film sessions that built success.
Wilson reflected: “When you’re a Hall of Famer, no matter where you are, it’s special… This city, this state, has opened me with wide open arms.”
For fans, this wasn’t just a hand-shake photo op. It was a reclamation of pride, a nod to past triumphs and a signal that South Carolina athletics continues to push forward.
What this means for the Gamecocks moving forward
- Recruitment impact: Young athletes see these inductees and know they’re joining a legacy where their efforts could be memorialised.
- Amplified brand: With stars like Wilson and Hastings in the Hall, the Gamecocks’ national profile rises — it doesn’t just matter for basketball, but for all sports.
- Student-athlete message: Excellence in the classroom and competition shines through — Patton’s academic accolades remind incoming athletes that the full package counts.
In wrapping up this momentous night for South Carolina athletics — the 2025 Gamecocks Hall of Fame induction class has framed a story of grit, global reach and generational impact. For fans who cheered in the stands and for young athletes who dream of garnet and black glory, the message is clear: greatness is built here, and now six more names have their place among the legends.
2025 Gamecocks Hall of Fame induction will be remembered not just for the names, but for what they represent: legacy, excellence and the next chapter in Gamecock athletics.
About the Author
