National champion Gamecocks cheered upon return to Columbia after big win

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - The 2022 national champion South Carolina Gamecocks returned to the capital city Monday afternoon to a heroes’ welcome from cheering fans.

Women’s Head Basketball Coach Dawn Staley and members of the team were joined by UofSC Interim President Harris Pastides and Athletics Director Ray Tanner.

Staley said she looked on social media and saw how much partying was going on after the win.

“And we couldn’t wait to get back here and celebrate with you,” she said. “Every national champion in every sport has a common thing, a common thing. And that common thing is you create a home-court advantage and on a roll that’s unmatched. When you rock this building out, you will energy into our players that play their very best each and every time they step on the floor, and we wanted to say thank you. Thank you!”

Pastides, playing on the head coach’s first name, said we are “at the dawn of a new dynasty.”

“Our dynasty is about unity, community, integrity, sportsmanship, mutual respect, worth and women,” Pastides said. “I will tell you that their coach and this team, every member of the team, and all of the coaches have done more to advance the status of women in athletics and in our nation than has ever been done before.

South Carolina defeated the UConn Huskies 64-49 Sunday for their second national championship.

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