November 13th 2023.
South Carolina Gamecocks Head Coach Dawn Staley is passionate about the Black female officials who worked the National Championship game last season and doesn't want them to be penalized due to an NCAA Review of Officiating. According to The Grio, the review of the LSU’s 102-85 win over Iowa in April was below expectations, yet the NCAA did not publicly release the names of the officials who worked the game.
Staley has since vocalized her support for the two Black women, who were the officials for the game. On The Pivot podcast hosted by former NFL players Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor, the three-time Olympic gold medalist said she was worried the officials would be penalized for the narrative around the game, rather than any actual bad officiating.
Staley is an advocate for Black women and is an example of this in her own team and coaching. Before the Gamecocks opened their season in Paris earlier this month against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Staley asked organizers to seek a Black female coach to be the opponent, leading to the selection of Notre Dame, coached by a Black woman, Niele Ivey.
After the Gamecocks 100-71 win, Staley wanted to ensure her team looked respectful during the photo commemorating the victory. She continues to fight for the recognition of Black women in the sport and hopes that the NCAA review of officiating the National Championship game will not have a negative effect on the two female officials.
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