South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley celebrated the Gamecocks' national championship win with President Biden at the White House on Tuesday.
The appearance by Staley and the team came months after the head coach appeared to distance himself from his support for his re-election campaign following their disastrous debate in June. The Basketball Hall of Famer was seen holding hands with Biden at the ceremony.
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President Biden walks with Dawn Staley, head coach of the University of South Carolina women's basketball team, for an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, Tuesday, September 10, 2024, to welcome the University of South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team and celebrate their 2023-2024 NCAA championship season. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Staley thanked Biden and his wife, first lady Jill Biden, for hosting the team. He praised the diversity and recalled the moment when the Confederate flag was removed from the state Capitol.
“I look back at the journey our state, our home state of South Carolina, has come,” Staley said, via The State. “Not long ago, the Confederate flag was removed from our state capitol, a symbol that represented division and exclusion. That moment wasn't just about the removal of a symbol. It was about people coming together, uniting behind a shared vision of progress, justice and equality.
BIDEN MOCKS MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL FOR HAVING LESS AUDIENCE THAN WOMEN'S AS CHAMPIONS VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE
University of South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley speaks as President Biden looks on, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, Tuesday, September 10, 2024 during an event to welcome the University of South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team and celebrate their 2023-2024 NCAA championship season. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
“Today, my staff, my team and I stand here representing diversity, inclusion and unity. My hope is that this moment comes to you, my team, as a powerful reminder of the beauty that can come from uniting behind a common goal and doing things the right way.”
Staley attended an event in July with former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama. She wrote on X that the former president was the “coolest man alive” and mentioned that she had “borrowed” his wife for “four short years.”
“@BarackObama, thank you for your inspiration and leadership. Now please let us borrow @MichelleObama for just 4 short years! The First Gentleman is a great fit for you!” he posted on X.
President Biden walks Dawn Staley down the aisle. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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Biden dropped out of the presidential race after his June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris was tapped to run in his place. Staley praised Biden for dropping out of the race.
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