South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley is using her program’s national platform to shine a spotlight on HBCUs.
South Carolina is set to face Coppin State and North Carolina Central, both members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). While powerhouse programs like South Carolina rarely schedule true road games against mid-majors, the Gamecocks will travel to Baltimore to play North Carolina Central — a move Staley says is intentional.
“Instead of the big competitive games, we’ve added some HBCUs, just to lift up every aspect of our sport,” Staley told The State. “Not every team will go and play an HBCU on their home court. And we feel like it’s a great game, great competition, great coaching. And if we can lift, because we play the game and get some notoriety to the HBCUs, then we’ll do that.”
When going to the peeps here on this app allows you to converse with great people and get options to complete schedules WINNING….we gotta game yall. Paperwork is not complete but we are good for it! I love my HBCUs! 🥰🥰🥰 Thank you all for reaching out! Love up!
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) August 13, 2024
South Carolina faced Coppin State last season, but the decision to schedule another HBCU game this year underscores Staley’s ongoing effort to spotlight programs that often operate outside the national basketball spotlight. For Staley, it is as much about respect and recognition as it is about competition.
The move comes at a time when conversations about equity, visibility, and support for HBCUs have become increasingly important in sports. By committing to play these schools — and especially by traveling to their arenas — Staley and her Gamecocks are sending a clear signal of support.
For the Coppin State and North Carolina Central athletes, these games mean the chance to host one of women’s basketball’s elite programs. This opportunity can bring increased attention, revenue, and visibility.
For Staley, it is about ensuring that women’s basketball continues to grow, beyond just the most prominent names and programs.
