In Columbia, an unexpected guest made a delightful appearance at the South Carolina women’s basketball team’s press conference on Saturday – none other than Champ, the cherished dog of Coach Dawn Staley. As the top-seeded Gamecocks gear up for their second-round NCAA Tournament clash with the eighth-seeded North Carolina (20-12), Staley introduced Champ, who initially roamed the room before being lifted onto the table by Staley herself.
Champ, a black and gray Havanese, became a part of Staley’s life following the Gamecocks’ national championship victory in 2017, a triumph that inspired his name. Staley has made it a tradition to bring Champ along to press conferences following home games in South Carolina.
Displaying a sense of humor, Staley mentioned that Champ would abstain from answering questions until he was provided with his own nameplate. However, he couldn’t resist interrupting one of Staley’s responses with a bark directed at someone outside the room.
In a particularly amusing moment, while Staley was discussing the improvements seen in senior guard Te-Hina Paopao’s performance during her first season with South Carolina (33-0), Champ suddenly sat up and barked towards the door of the press room, catching Staley off guard mid-answer.
For those following the excitement of the tournament, you can find NCAA tournament brackets, scores, schedules, teams, and more information to keep up with the action.
Champ settled down and remained quiet for the remainder of Staley’s press conference, demonstrating his good behavior.
The South Carolina team is set to face UNC in a highly anticipated game for a spot in the Sweet 16. The match is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m., at the Colonial Life Arena, promising an exciting showdown.
Evan Gerike, who covers South Carolina women’s basketball for the Greenville News, provides insightful coverage on the team’s journey. For more updates, you can reach out to him via email at egerike@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanGerike.