Dawn Staley praises Shane Beamer, South Carolina football during spring game

In a show of support for her fellow South Carolina coach, women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley was in attendance for Shane Beamer’s spring game. Staley praised the rise of all South Carolina sports, as the women’s basketball team won the 2022 NCAA Championship earlier this month. Staley was in attendance for the spring game down on the field itself, celebrating the unity the Gamecocks have shown across their different programs.

Dawn Staley on Shane Beamer and South Carolina

“I think everybody loves winners,” said Staley of the excited atmosphere in Columbia. “I think South Carolina has been a place that has tremendous fans. And they deserve some winning ways. I know Coach Beamer has got the football team going. We’re gonna keep doing what we’re doing in the women’s basketball department. Lamont Paris is gonna get basketball going again, men’s basketball. Our women’s sports have been doing it for a very long time. So we’re gonna keep doing it, but the energy that the fans put into us makes us play a little bit harder, a little bit better — and bring home a little more championships.”

The success of Staley and the Gamecocks women’s basketball team has definitely been a bright spot for the school, and the effect of their championship hasn’t gone unnoticed by their other programs. Beamer himself recently spoke about the impact Staley has had on his own recruiting for football. Beamer recounted the story of two separate prospects that were interested in the women’s team during their visits.

One recruit wanted to check out the championship parade celebrating their national title, while another said the highlight of their recruiting visit was meeting Staley herself. “Anytime you have great coaches and great teams on your campus, it helps all the other sports. And we’re no exception,” said Beamer.

Staley was also asked on Saturday about their recent championship parade — an event that Staley showed up to in a head-turning Rolls Royce car. Staley laughed about the special moment, giving credit to her car dealer for the rental.

“My car dealer actually upgraded me — for just the parade,” joked Staley.