LSU Shocks the Sports World: Kim Mulkey Immortalized in Bronze as the First Woman in Tigers Basketball History to Receive a Statue
In a historic and emotionally charged moment, Louisiana State University (LSU) has unveiled a bronze statue of Kim Mulkey making her the first woman in Tigers basketball history to receive such an honor. The tribute not only cements Mulkey’s place as a trailblazer in women’s sports, but also acknowledges her championship pedigree, fiery leadership, and transformative impact on both the program and the culture of college basketball.
The statue, revealed just outside LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center, captures Mulkey in her signature sideline stance—intense, focused, and unapologetically fierce. For fans, players, and alumni alike, it’s more than a monument; it’s a lasting symbol of excellence, resilience, and boundary-breaking success.
Kim Mulkey didn’t just win games she changed the game, LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward said during the unveiling ceremony. “She turned LSU into a national powerhouse, redefined expectations for women’s basketball, and became a symbol of pride for Baton Rouge and beyond.
Since taking over the LSU women’s basketball program in 2021, Mulkey has completely revitalized the team. Within just two seasons, she led the Lady Tigers to a national championship in 2023 LSU’s first in women’s basketball history. Her fiery courtside demeanor, sharp basketball IQ, and unrelenting drive quickly made headlines and galvanized a new generation of fans. Under her leadership, LSU has become a must-watch program, blending Southern swagger with elite performance.
But the statue is about more than wins and banners. It honors Mulkey’s larger-than-life personality her bold fashion, her outspoken support for her players, and her refusal to be boxed in by tradition. From her days as a championship-winning player at Louisiana Tech to her storied coaching career at Baylor and now LSU, she’s consistently pushed boundaries and raised the bar.
Mulkey now joins the ranks of LSU’s greatest athletic legends but as the first woman immortalized in statue form she also kicks open the door for future female athletes and coaches to receive equal recognition. “This statue isn’t just for me, Mulkey said during the ceremony. “It’s for every little girl in Louisiana who ever dreamed big, played hard, and refused to be told she couldn’t.
The reaction across the sports world has been electric. Social media lit up with praise from former players, coaches, and fans, many calling it a long-overdue acknowledgment of Mulkey’s unmatched contributions to the game. ESPN, Bleacher Report, and countless others described the statue as a “monumental moment” for women’s sports.
Mulkey’s legacy now stands not only in record books and championship rings, but in solid bronze a permanent reminder of her role as a pioneer, competitor, and cultural icon. In Baton Rouge, there’s no longer any debate Kim Mulkey is the undisputed GOAT of LSU women’s basketball, and now, the world can see her in her rightful place: larger than life, cast in metal, and standing tall.
