South Carolina women's basketball fans approach all-time attendance record; Dawn Staley says FAMs make it "easy"
This week on Carolina Calls, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley had plenty to talk about with host Brad Muller. One topic of conversation was the Gamecocks’ pursuit of new all-time attendance records.
South Carolina has led the country in attendance annually since 2014-2015 (A’ja Wilson’s first year as a Gamecock).* They also now own the all-time records for total attendance and average attendance, both set during the undefeated 2023-2024 national championship season. USC could break those records this March.
*Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, attendance figures from the 2020-2021 campaign are unofficial.*
Staley believes the record falling is a foregone conclusion, calling it “easy” for fans as dedicated as the FAMs. She added, “If you challenge the FAMs, they’ll come through.”
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The overall attendance record of just over 273,000 will fall if Colonial Life Arena draws 18,000 more fans next week. South Carolina will host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, and, assuming a victory over a likely 16-seed in the opener, the Gamecocks should expect to hit that number, though, the Big Dance doesn’t always sell out thanks to uncertain schedules and increased ticket prices.
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The NCAA Tournament’s second round would mark USC’s 17th game of the 2024-2025 season. That number matches the total contests played in last year’s record-setting season. That means, if Carolina can surpass 273,133 total fans for the year, they also will best their own previous record for average attendance.
When exactly South Carolina will play (and, therefore, when fans should buy tickets) isn’t known yet. Fans can tune in to watch the Selection Sunday show at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, March 16th on ESPN. The ESPN app also will stream the show.
