In a move that cements her legacy both on and off the court, LSU and its women’s basketball program have officially announced plans to honor their iconic head coach, Kim Mulkey, with a brand-new state-of-the-art training facility and a life-size commemorative statue to be unveiled outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
The announcement, first reported by ESPN, comes after a historic tenure that has already seen Mulkey deliver LSU’s first women’s basketball national championship in 2023, rejuvenate a once-dormant powerhouse, and elevate the program to elite national status. With her fiery leadership, unapologetic style, and relentless pursuit of excellence, Mulkey has not only transformed the Tigers into perennial contenders—but she’s also become a cultural force in Baton Rouge.
The New “Kim Mulkey Center for Excellence”
The centerpiece of this tribute is the soon-to-be-built Kim Mulkey Center for Excellence, a world-class training and development complex tailored exclusively for LSU women’s basketball. According to early design concepts, the facility will feature:
- Two full-length practice courts
- A cutting-edge sports science lab and recovery suite
- Luxury locker rooms and players’ lounges
- An interactive Hall of Fame-style exhibit chronicling LSU women’s basketball history
- Dedicated media, nutrition, and film review centers
University officials say the project will break ground later this year and is expected to be completed by the fall of 2026. The facility will be one of the most advanced in the country, signaling LSU’s intent to dominate women’s college basketball for years to come.
Statue to Stand Tall
Alongside the facility announcement, LSU revealed plans to erect a life-size bronze statue of Kim Mulkey, which will be placed at the main entrance of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The statue will depict Mulkey in her trademark sideline coaching stance, arms crossed, fire in her eyes, and adorned in one of her famously flamboyant jackets—a nod to her larger-than-life personality.
This honor places her among the greats of LSU athletics, making her the first woman in school history to be immortalized in statue form.
A Coach Like No Other
Kim Mulkey’s journey to LSU immortality was anything but ordinary. A Louisiana native and Hall of Fame player at Louisiana Tech, she won three national titles at Baylor before returning to her home state to resurrect LSU’s program. In just three seasons, she led the Tigers to a national title, two SEC Championships, and consecutive Final Four appearances.
“This isn’t just about me—it’s about the young women who believed, the fans who showed up, and a university that dared to dream big,” Mulkey said at the press conference. “I’m honored, I’m humbled, and I’m not done yet.”
A Legacy Still Unfolding
While statues and buildings may stand forever, Mulkey’s impact continues to grow. With top recruiting classes, a loyal fanbase, and a national spotlight, the future of LSU women’s basketball has never looked brighter. This announcement is more than a tribute—it’s a promise that the Kim Mulkey era is far from over.
