Current:Home > StocksCharles H. Sloan-Dawn Staley rides in Rolls-Royce Dawn for South Carolina's 'uncommon' victory parade -Prime Capital Blueprint
Charles H. Sloan-Dawn Staley rides in Rolls-Royce Dawn for South Carolina's 'uncommon' victory parade
Will Sage Astor View
Date:2025-04-09 07:04:38
Is there a cooler team than the South Carolina Gamecocks?Charles H. Sloan
The women's college basketball national champions celebrated their second NCAA title in three years on Sunday with a victory parade in Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 in Cleveland on April 7.
Head coach Dawn Staley fittingly rolled through the streets of the city in a white Rolls-Royce Dawn. Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, expressing the difficulty of thinking what to give the most-fashionable coach in women's college basketball, presented her with a wrestling belt, which she held up to the cheers of the crowd.
A celebration video showed highlights of the Gamecocks' tournament run, which capped off an undefeated season, with the song "We Win" by Kirk Franklin and Lil Baby serving as the soundtrack. Julia Westerman, of local news outlet WIS-10, reported that the Richland County coroner's office had a float with tombstones of each of the teams South Carolina beat en route to the title.
Te-Hina Paopao shared some words about the unity of the team and promised fans, "It's time for our repeat tour."
Kamilla Cardoso skipped orientation for the WNBA draft to be with her teammates. She rode in a gray-green Chevrolet Corvette and hoisted the national championship trophy through the streets.
Once the caravan reached its final destination at the State House, Staley spoke to the crowd wearing a visor, round sunglasses, her beaded necklace and a black T-shirt that said, "You win some, you lose none." She gave some insight into the emotional speech she gave mentioning "uncommon favor" after winning the title game, which was revenge on Iowa after being knocked out of the Final Four last season.
"I don't know that everybody really understands what uncommon favor is," she said. "Uncommon favor is when your mother or your father told you, 'I can show you better than I can tell you.' After we planned to be here last year during this time, it wasn't harvest time. It wasn't. And it was a devastating loss for all who were part of it. And I was hurt deeply, deeply. It didn't destroy my faith, but I did ask why. ... God sometimes says, 'I can show you better than I can tell you.'"
Staley, who is the first Black coach to win three national championships, thanked school administrators, the local media and her team. Her expression of gratitude for the fans continued the theme that this season was extraordinary.
"The love that you pour into us as we drove down main street, it is uncommon," she said, "and I really, really deeply appreciate your love, your unconditional love."
veryGood! (49777)
Related
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- What Americans think about Hegseth, Gabbard and key Trump Cabinet picks AP
- China's new tactic against Taiwan: drills 'that dare not speak their name'
- How to watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' for free: Special date, streaming info
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- ParkMobile $32.8 million settlement: How to join class
- New Jersey targets plastic packaging that fills landfills and pollutes
- Syrian rebel leader says he will dissolve toppled regime forces, close prisons
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Michael Bublé Details Heartwarming Moment With Taylor Swift’s Parents at Eras Tour
Ranking
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Dropping Hints
- California judges say they’re underpaid, and their new lawsuit could cost taxpayers millions
- Luigi Mangione's Lawyer Speaks Out in UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Case
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death and fled to Eastern Europe is in custody, online records show
- Secretary of State Blinken is returning to the Mideast in his latest diplomatic foray
- Beyoncé takes home first award in country music category at 2024 Billboard Music Awards
Recommendation
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
Chiquis comes from Latin pop royalty. How the regional Mexican star found her own crown
SCDF aids police in gaining entry to cluttered Bedok flat, discovers 73
'September 5' depicts shocking day when terrorism arrived at the Olympics
Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
Fewer U.S. grandparents are taking care of grandchildren, according to new data
US weekly jobless claims unexpectedly rise
The Voice Season 26 Crowns a New Winner