LSU Shocks the Sports World as Kim Mulkey Becomes First Woman in Tigers Basketball History to Be Immortalized With a Bronze Statue—A Monumental Tribute to the Trailblazing Coach’s Championship Legacy, Fiery Leadership, and Unwavering Vision
In a historic moment that sent ripples through the sports world, Louisiana State University unveiled a bronze statue of Kim Mulkey, making her the first woman in LSU basketball history to receive such an honor. With the sun casting golden hues over the statue’s gleaming surface, the ceremony was more than just a celebration of one woman’s achievements—it was a declaration that the era of women’s basketball greatness is not only here, but it is permanent.
For decades, LSU has prided itself on its rich athletic tradition, and statues scattered across its campus commemorate icons who have etched their names into collegiate sports history. Yet until now, not a single woman had stood among those bronzed legends. That all changed with Kim Mulkey—a trailblazer, a firebrand, and a championship magnet whose impact on LSU and women’s basketball as a whole transcends mere wins and titles.
When Kim Mulkey returned to her home state in 2021 to lead the LSU Lady Tigers, she arrived not just with a résumé but with a reputation. A three-time national champion at Baylor, a fiery sideline presence, and a relentless competitor, Mulkey instantly electrified the program. She didn’t just promise change—she embodied it. What followed was one of the most rapid turnarounds in collegiate basketball history. In just her second season at LSU, she led the Tigers to their first-ever NCAA women’s basketball championship in 2023, an achievement that brought national spotlight, school pride, and a sense of destiny to a program long overshadowed by its potential.
The decision to honor Mulkey with a statue is symbolic on multiple levels. Statues are, by their nature, timeless. They do not age or fade. They represent the pinnacle of legacy—the idea that what someone has accomplished is not only worthy of remembrance but of reverence. In Mulkey’s case, her statue doesn’t merely acknowledge championships or win percentages. It celebrates a spirit, a transformative energy that changed not just a program, but the conversation around women’s sports in the South and beyond.
Mulkey’s career has always defied conventional paths. As a player, she was a national champion at Louisiana Tech and an Olympic gold medalist, standing out with her tenacity and leadership even in her early years. As a coach, her passion has been both her signature and her lightning rod. Often flamboyant, unapologetic, and fiercely loyal to her players, she brought a kind of theatrical gravitas to the sidelines. Her courtside fashion choices—bold, bright, and impossible to ignore—mirrored her coaching style: fearless, confident, and willing to take risks.
But the Mulkey legacy is about more than flash. It is deeply rooted in fundamentals, discipline, and an unyielding drive to win. She builds teams that reflect her personality—hard-nosed, aggressive, and united. At LSU, she took a program with raw talent and turned it into a dynasty in the making. Her leadership in navigating transfers, recruiting elite talent, and developing players into not just athletes but leaders, has redefined what success looks like in Baton Rouge.
The unveiling ceremony brought tears, cheers, and moments of reflection. Mulkey, visibly moved, stood before the sculpture that will outlive all of us. Cast in bronze, she is depicted mid-stride, clipboard in hand, mouth open mid-command—an embodiment of her courtside intensity. Behind the statue’s physical form lies the story of a coach who dared to challenge the norms, a woman who never accepted mediocrity, and a mentor who inspired her players to believe in greatness.
Alumni, current athletes, university officials, and fans packed the area around the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for the unveiling. LSU President William F. Tate IV called the statue a “beacon of progress,” acknowledging how Mulkey’s achievements have “rewritten the narrative of what’s possible for women in college athletics.” LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward echoed the sentiment, stating, “Kim Mulkey didn’t just bring us a title—she brought us a culture. A culture of excellence, of pride, and of belief.”
Indeed, the cultural impact of Mulkey’s tenure at LSU goes well beyond the court. Her presence has increased visibility for women’s sports across the Southeastern Conference and nationally. Ticket sales, TV ratings, and merchandise have all surged under her leadership, with LSU women’s basketball now commanding the kind of attention usually reserved for powerhouse football programs. With her team playing in front of sold-out crowds and drawing national broadcasts on a regular basis, Mulkey has turned the Lady Tigers into a must-watch spectacle.
Moreover, Mulkey’s story has provided a model for how a university can embrace women’s athletics not as an add-on, but as a central pillar of its identity. Her success challenges outdated assumptions about what fans want, what programs can achieve, and what leadership looks like in women’s sports. She’s proven that passion sells, that excellence draws crowds, and that when given the resources and respect, women’s programs can deliver at the highest levels.
The statue stands now as both a culmination and a challenge. It celebrates a coach who delivered history but also serves as a call to continue investing in that history. For young girls in Louisiana and beyond, it is a reminder that greatness is not only possible—it is visible, tangible, and within reach. Walking past that statue on game days, little girls will see not just a coach, but a symbol of what they can become.
Critics of such honors often ask if it’s too soon, if one person’s impact can be fully measured in the moment. But for those who have watched LSU women’s basketball transform from a promising program into a championship juggernaut, the answer is clear. Kim Mulkey’s impact isn’t just historic—it’s seismic. Her teams don’t just win—they dominate. Her voice doesn’t just echo in timeouts—it reverberates through the halls of college athletics.
Statues do not get erected for good seasons. They’re not forged for fleeting fame. They are created to tell a story that generations must hear. In Kim Mulkey’s case, that story is one of courage, confrontation, and uncompromising ambition. It is the story of a woman who walked into a room and dared to say, “We will win here.” And then did.
Even as she continues to coach and build upon her legacy, the statue immortalizes what has already been achieved. It is a rare honor while still active—a reflection of the immediacy and intensity of her influence. There’s still more to be written in Mulkey’s chapter at LSU. More games to be won, more players to inspire, and perhaps, more championships to claim. But now, regardless of what tomorrow brings, her place in the pantheon of college basketball is assured.
The statue of Kim Mulkey is more than bronze. It’s more than a likeness. It is a symbol of arrival—for Mulkey, for LSU women’s basketball, and for women’s sports everywhere. It tells a story that was once improbable and now undeniable. It stands not only as a monument to past greatness but as a foundation for future dreams.
As the sun set over the LSU campus on the day of the unveiling, the shadow of the Mulkey statue stretched long across the ground, a fitting metaphor for a legacy that will influence generations to come. In honoring Kim Mulkey, LSU did not just elevate a coach—they elevated the standard, the stakes, and the story of what women can achieve when given the chance to lead.
