Dawn Ellerbe

Dawn Ellerbe was a hammer thrower who competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, placing seventh in the event’s inaugural appearance at the Olympics for women. She attended the University of South Carolina where she won four NCAA titles, graduating in 1996 with a journalism degree. She later earned a master’s degree in communications from the University of Wyoming.

Ellerbe won six USA titles outdoors (1995-2001) and five indoors (1996 and 1998-2001). She was Pan American Games champion in the hammer throw in 1999. She competed at the 1999, 2001, and 2003 World Championships, placing 10th in 1999 as her best finish.

After she retired from competition, Ellerbe first worked at the University of South Carolina as director of marketing. She then went to Cal State East Bay, where she helped the athletics department transition from NAIA to NCAA. Ellerbe later joined Cal State Northridge where she was assistant athletic director. In March 2023, she was named assistant vice-chancellor for athletic communications and senior associate athletic director at Vanderbilt University.

Ellerbe was inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame and the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. In 2022, she was given the Southeastern Conference Trailblazer Award for her contributions to the growth of women’s athletics in the SEC. She has also served on the Board of Directors of the United Way of the Midlands in South Carolina.

Personal Best: HT – 70.62 (2001).