AIKEN, S.C.--Early August is becoming commonplace for motorists throughout the Palmetto state to see the latest USC Aiken golf team’s accomplishments on the side of South Carolina’s major highways. In a special dedication ceremony on campus, USC Aiken Chancellor Dr. Thomas Hallman along with head golf coach Michael Carlisle unveiled one of the seven road signs commemorating the program’s back-to-back 2004 and 2005 NCAA Championships.

Nearly one year ago to the day, at the South Carolina welcome center on Interstate 20 in Aiken County, Hallman and Carlisle unveiled the 2004 NCAA Championship signs. This year’s ceremony was moved off the interstate site for safety concerns.

With regional media members and university officials present, Hallman and Carlisle addressed the gathering before unveiling a smaller replica of the sign that was mounted outside of the Pickens Salley House and will be moved to the I-20 location later in the week. Randy Warrick, USCA Athletic Director, as well as Mike Jara of the South Carolina Department of Transportation also participated in the ceremony.

The four by eight feet signs reading, “Home of the USC Aiken Pacers, 2004 and 2005 NCAA Div. II Men’s Golf Champions” appear at five entrances throughout South Carolina’s borders as well as one on I-20 East bound and I-20 West bound at exit 22, the main exit for USC Aiken. The remaining signs are located at the welcome stations on I-95 South from North Carolina, I-95 North from Georgia, I-26 East from North Carolina, I-77 South from North Carolina, and the one on I-20 East from Georgia.

“We feel having these signs throughout the state brings great recognition to our University and our program,” said Carlisle. “For the second-straight year, the South Carolina DOT worked hard in conjunction with members of the USCA athletic department to make this happen, and to them we are grateful.”

USC Aiken finished up the most dominating season in the history of Division II men’s golf in 2004-05 winning 11 of 13 tournaments including the program’s second consecutive NCAA Championship. Along the way, the Pacers notched their sixth Peach Belt Conference crown and their fourth-straight NCAA Southeast Region title.

With the return of the 2005 NCAA individual champion and reigning Division II Player of the Year Dane Burkhart alongside fellow PING First-Team All-American Scott Brown, the Pacers will be the odds on favorite to three-peat which has been done just once before in the 43-year history of the championship.