Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks Visit the White House in Celebration of their 2024 NCAA Championship Title 

South Carolina’s Women’s Basketball Team poses in the East Room of The White House with President Joe Biden after winning their third NCAA Championship since 2014. (Jordyn Britton/101 Mag) 

On Tuesday, Sep. 10 President Joseph R. Biden welcomed the entire University of South Carolina’s Women’s Basketball team led by Coach Dawn Staley to the East Room of The White House to celebrate their third NCAA Championship win in a decade. 

President Biden opened the celebration by congratulating the team on their undefeated regular season as well as their NCAA Championship win calling it an “incredible run of excellence.” 

The President was full of jokes, laughing along with the audience while poking fun at head coach Dawn Staley. 

“I know why you’re so good; you got a girl from Philly running this team,” said President Biden. “For the record, this is God’s truth. I picked you to win.”

The President moved into slightly more serious matters, praising the team for their accomplishments.

“You kept the faith, and you just finished the job,” said The President, “I think it’s fair to say everyone, everyone watches women’s sports.”

The room was filled with South Carolina friends, family and alumni, all in attendance to honor the Gamecocks on their historic second win in three years. 

As Coach Staley addressed The President and audience, she portrayed her solemn presence through her steady voice and maintained strong eye contact with the crowd. The coach’s kind and humble remarks were rooted in her belief in the power of unity. 

“Today, my staff, my team, and I stand here embodying diversity, inclusiveness, and unity,” said Coach Staley. 

The USC coach also made sure to acknowledge the past, noting that the Confederate Flag was only recently removed from the South Carolina State Capitol building. She connected that historic step forward for her home state and its message of inclusivity to the importance of diversity and what the USC Gamecocks represent. 

Coach Staley said, “My hope is that this moment lands on you as my team as a powerful reminder of the beauty that can come from unifying for a common goal and doing things the right way.” 

In her closing remarks, the Coach made sure to address her team. 

“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,” said Coach Staley, praising the team.

Coach Staley, her coaching staff and her team stood and posed with President Biden as he held a Gamecock jersey. The classic Queen anthem played in the background, proclaiming them to be champions with the iconic chorus of “We are the Champions” by Queen. 

“We are the champions, we are the champions, no time for losers, ’cause we are the champions of the world.” – We are the Champions, Queen.