South Carolina women’s basketball champions/ Gamecocks NCAA title/ Dawn Staley championship team/ Newslooks/ Washington/ President Joe Biden honored the South Carolina Gamecocks and Coach Dawn Staley at the White House for their undefeated NCAA championship run. He celebrated the surge in interest in women’s sports, highlighted by record viewership. Staley’s team finished 38-0 in a historic season, marking their third title since 2017.
Biden Celebrates South Carolina’s Victory: Quick Looks
- Historic Season: South Carolina’s women’s basketball team went 38-0, securing their third title under Coach Dawn Staley.
- Rising Popularity: The title game drew 18.7 million viewers, surpassing the men’s championship in viewership.
- Biden’s Tribute: Biden praised the team for inspiring young girls and growing interest in women’s sports.
- Prominent Attendees: The event featured notable South Carolina politicians, including Lindsey Graham and James Clyburn.
Biden honors South Carolina’s NCAA basketball champions
Deep Look
President Joe Biden honored the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team on Tuesday at the White House, celebrating their undefeated NCAA championship season and recognizing the team’s role in driving the rising popularity of women’s sports. Biden lauded Coach Dawn Staley and her team, highlighting their historic 38-0 season and the incredible impact they’ve had on inspiring new fans and young athletes.
The Gamecocks’ title game against Iowa reached an average of 18.7 million viewers across ABC and ESPN, even surpassing the viewership for this year’s men’s championship game. The women’s game also peaked at an impressive 24 million viewers. Biden, in his remarks, emphasized the broader significance of this surge in interest, noting, “I think it’s fair to say everyone watches women’s sports now.” He added that the team’s success is a powerful example for young girls who look up to their sports heroes.
Later in the day, Biden was scheduled to honor the UConn men’s basketball team, who won their second consecutive national title this year with a 37-3 record.
A Historic Run
South Carolina’s unbeaten season stands out, especially after the team lost all five of its starters from the previous year’s squad. Despite those challenges, Coach Staley led the Gamecocks to another national championship, marking her third title since 2017. South Carolina dominated in scoring defense, margin of victory, and blocked shots, solidifying their place as one of the most formidable teams in the nation.
Staley, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and head coach of the U.S. women’s basketball team at the Tokyo Olympics, was also recognized for her contributions beyond collegiate basketball. She recently served as a member of the presidential delegation to the Paris Olympics and continues to play a pivotal role in promoting women’s sports on the world stage.
Notable Attendees and Staley’s Political Potential
Several prominent South Carolinian politicians attended the White House event, including Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, Democratic Rep. James Clyburn, and former Columbia mayor Steve Benjamin, now a senior adviser to the president. Biden humorously suggested that Dawn Staley could pose a threat to the state’s political figures if she ever considered running for office. “All of those of you who hold public office in South Carolina, you better hope she keeps coaching and doesn’t run,” Biden joked, recognizing her widespread popularity.
The ceremony marked South Carolina’s first White House visit, as the team did not attend following their championships in 2017 and 2022. Earlier this year, Vice President Kamala Harris visited the team during a trip to Columbia, South Carolina, underscoring the Gamecocks’ growing prominence and influence.
With their latest triumph, the South Carolina Gamecocks have not only secured their place in sports history but also played a crucial role in advancing the profile of women’s sports on a national stage.
