The Texas Longhorns Softball program recently took a monumental step in celebrating one of its standout players by unveiling a sample statue honoring star third baseman Mia Scott. The sample statue, presented in front of Red & Charline McCombs Field, marks the beginning of an enduring tribute to Scott’s greatness on and off the field. Work on the permanent installation is set to begin in September 2025, a fitting timeframe that underscores the program’s deep respect for her impact .
At the unveiling ceremony, held on the University of Texas campus, a large gathering of university officials, athletic department staff, coaches, current and former teammates, and enthusiastic Longhorns fans bore witness to this historic moment. The sample statue, depicted in a dynamic pose capturing Scott’s intensity—either at the plate or showcasing her masterful defensive glove work at third base—served as a preview of the final piece that will occupy a permanent spot in front of the stadium .
University of Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte captured the sentiment of the moment perfectly: “Today is a momentous occasion as we take the first step in permanently recognizing the incredible legacy of Mia Scott at Red & Charline McCombs Field,” he stated. “Mia’s impact on our softball program is immeasurable. Her talent, dedication, her leadership, and her pivotal role in bringing home our first national championship have cemented her place as one of the true legends of Texas Athletics. This statue will serve as a lasting reminder of her extraordinary achievements and the inspiration she has provided to countless Longhorns.”
In response, Mia Scott expressed her heartfelt gratitude: “I am truly humbled and incredibly honored by this gesture from the university and the softball program,” she said. “My four years at Texas have been the most rewarding experience of my life, and to know that my contributions will be remembered in this way is something I could have only dreamed of. I am so grateful to my coaches, my teammates, and the entire Longhorn Nation for their unwavering support”.
Scott’s exceptional contributions to the program—becoming the all-time leader in runs, RBIs, and career batting average, along with her star-making performances during the 2025 Women’s College World Series—made her a fan favorite and a cornerstone of the team’s success. Her rise to both leadership and excellence on the field epitomizes the attributes Texas Softball aims to cultivate in its student-athletes.
Head coach Mike White also weighed in, noting, “Mia is a once‑in‑a‑generation player, and her impact on our program will be felt for years to come…. She embodies everything we strive for in a Longhorn student‑athlete – excellence, dedication, and unwavering commitment to team success. This statue is a fitting tribute to her remarkable career, and it will serve as a source of pride and inspiration for all who come to Red & Charline McCombs Field.”
The placement of the statue at the stadium’s entrance ensures that every fan who arrives will immediately encounter a symbol of the program’s history and values. The strategic location in front of McCombs Field—where heavy foot traffic converges—creates a poignant connection between the past and the future. The sheer scale and presence of such a monument promise to inspire current players and fans alike, offering a daily reminder of the heights that can be achieved through hard work, skill, and leadership ).
Details of the statue’s design process, including Scott’s involvement and her family’s input, are still being developed. The university has indicated a collaborative design phase, ensuring that the monument accurately represents Scott’s character and achievements. This iterative approach highlights the importance of authenticity and emotional resonance in memorializing athletic excellence ).
This tribute is part of a broader University of Texas tradition of honoring its athletes and coaches through public art. Legends such as softball Hall of Famer Cat Osterman have received other forms of recognition—her jersey was retired, and she will be immortalized in a statue at the entrance plaza to McCombs Field in August 2025 ([indiansports24.com][2]). Additionally, the softball stadium recently underwent a significant upgrade, including plans for a \$117 million renovation aimed at expanding capacity to 27,000 seats, showcasing the investment in both the program’s storied legacy and its future aspirations .
Placing Mia Scott’s statue alongside these milestones helps knit together a tapestry of tradition, excellence, and institutional pride. It reinforces the narrative that Texas Softball is not merely building teams—it is forging legacies. The statue embodies that narrative in a tangible, powerful way.
Scott’s achievements are nothing short of extraordinary. She concluded her career by helping Texas secure its first national championship in softball history, a 10–4 victory over Texas Tech in Game 3 of the Women’s College World Series. In that decisive game, the Longhorns set the tone early with a five‑run first inning, featuring a massive three‑run homer by Leighann Goode and a grand slam by Scott that sent the stadium into euphoria. The stellar pitching of Teagan Kavan, who threw a complete game and set a WCWS record by not allowing an earned run across 31 ⅔ innings, complemented Scott’s heroics perfectly ([fanrecap.com][4]).
Winning that championship triggered a wave of celebration: the UT Tower burned orange in a stunning display, northwest accordingly, and even national bobbleheads commemorated the team’s historic win ([austin.culturemap.com][5]). Social media went wild, and notable figures including Cat Osterman and Matthew McConaughey publicly celebrated the breakthrough ([si.com][6]).
Osterman, herself a legend and the greatest collegiate softball pitcher of all time, even took to social media to express her joy: “Hell yeahhhhhhh!!! My girls did the damn thing 🤘🏽🤘🏽 And yes I’m crying” ([si.com][6]). The magnitude of the moment reverberated throughout the sports world, adding further significance to the program’s choice to immortalize Scott with a statue.
The statue project aligns seamlessly with the trajectory of the Texas Softball program. It reflects the progression from consistent national contenders to champions. The 2025 season marked the Longhorns’ first national title after previous near-misses in 2022 and 2024 at the Women’s College World Series championship round. Scott’s central role in turning that narrative around makes her the perfect icon to feature in this tribute.
Moreover, the inclusion of a public artwork honoring a female athlete highlights the growing commitment to gender equity in sports recognition. While Texas previously unveiled statues for icons such as women’s basketball coach Jody Conradt, Mia Scott and Cat Osterman both represent a new wave of female athletic triumphant merit recognized in similar fashion ([foxnews.com][8]).
As work on the statue begins in September 2025, anticipation is high. The university plans an unveiling ceremony that will bring together players, coaches, fans, and dignitaries to celebrate Scott’s legacy. It promises to be one of the most memorable moments in Texas Softball history, offering closure to a legendary collegiate career and planting a seed for future greatness
Looking forward, the statue’s presence will do more than commemorate—it will challenge. As new recruits walk past Scott’s likeness, they’ll literally pass the barrier of history they’re expected to cross. It asserts a standard of excellence, reminding players that they too can become legends. For fans, it provides a locus of memory—a physical landmark tied to emotion, pride, and collective identity.
In time, the project could open avenues for further development—perhaps a sculpture garden highlighting other Longhorn legends, or an interactive installation telling the stories behind each piece. Beyond aesthetics, these public installations can cultivate alumni and donor engagement by showcasing the university’s dedication to preservation and celebration of athletic achievement.
Ultimately, the statue of Mia Scott is not just an artwork—it’s a statement. It declares that Texas Softball values not only victories but the people behind them. It honors effort, leadership, character, and the human dimension of athletic prowess. It ensures that her story remains etched into the literal structure of the program—a lasting part of the campus landscape.
As the statue takes shape, the Longhorn community stands ready to embrace it. In fall 2025, when the monument reaches completion, it will welcome thousands of fans into McCombs Field, symbolically passing through Scott’s legacy. She will forever greet spectators, whispering encouragement to every aspiring player who walks beneath her gaze.
In honoring Mia Scott, Texas Longhorns Softball sends a message: greatness deserves to be seen, remembered, and celebrated. And in that vision, the bronze form of a champion will stand tall—literal proof that legends never fade but instead become part of the very foundation of the program they built.
