Dawn Staley Steals the Show During Gamecocks’ Weather Delay vs. S.C. State
Saturday night’s matchup between South Carolina and S.C. State was delayed for more than two hours because of severe weather, but that didn’t stop one of USC’s most recognizable figures from keeping the crowd energized.
Head women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley turned the delay into a celebration, planting herself in the middle of the student section with her trademark passion. Flanked by players Tessa Johnson, Raven Johnson, and Ta’Niya Latson, Staley matched the students’ energy chant for chant — so much so that she admitted she actually lost her voice.
Even as the stadium sat in limbo, Staley made sure the atmosphere never went flat. She later joined ESPN’s Ashley Stroehlein for a quick interview on the broadcast, where both gave a heartfelt shoutout to the South Carolina faithful. Staley praised the students for sticking it out through the rain delay, showing the same enthusiasm that has defined her on the sidelines for years.
For a night marked by sloppy weather and a sluggish football start, Staley’s presence reminded fans what Gamecock pride looks like — loud, relentless, and all-in no matter the circumstance.
