President Joe Biden gives Dawn Staley high praise on White House visit

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina women’s basketball team finally got their visit to the White House on Sept. 10th. Head coach Dawn Staley hoisted her third national championship trophy back in April after completing a perfect season, which was just the 10th in NCAA Women’s Basketball Division I history.

Despite winning titles in 2017 and 2022, this was the first time Staley took a White House visit because of scheduling conflicts in those years. This trip almost didn’t happen because the lady Gamecocks will start their season in two months and classes recently started back for the players, but they received the invite in late August and packed their bags for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Staley and her squad was all smiles when meeting President Joe Biden. Unfortunately, Vice President Kamala Harris was not in attendance because she is currently on the campaign trail for her run at president in November and preparing for a presidential debate that aired on television the same day as the visit.

The ceremony took place in the East Room of the White House and Biden wore a garnet and black tie for the occasion. Staley and Biden were pictured talking and laughing while entering the room.

“To the families and friends and, most of all, to the players and coaches, congratulations on an incredible run of excellence. Incredible,” Biden said. “I know why you’re so good. You got a girl from Philly running this team. I married a Philly girl. You don’t screw around with a Philly girl, man. They’re tough.”

Biden finished by praising South Carolina’s influence on sports and gave a special shout out to WNBA super star A’ja Wilson, who was apart of the first championship team under Staley.

The Gamecocks lost all five starters last season, but it didn’t stop them from achieving their goals. Staley now have a 109-3 record over three seasons and have won two of her three titles in the last three seasons as well.

“To my incredible staff and my relentless team, this moment is yours. I ask so much of you, and you never back down. You rise to every challenge with grace, tenacity, and heart. We stand here today because of that commitment, because of your willingness to put in work and sacrifice to achieve something greater than ourselves,” Dawn Staley said. “To the University of South Carolina and the great state of South Carolina, we work hard every day to represent you well, and I truly hope we made you proud.”

South Carolina will have an exhibition game against on the road at Memphis on Oct. 15 and the season will officially start on Nov.4 against Michigan in Las Vegas, Nevada.