COLUMBIA — Dawn Staley and her women's basketball team have earned a lot of kudos since winning the 2024 NCAA Tournament national championship for the Gamecocks, but none seemed to make Staley quite so excited as her latest congratulatory message — this one from Beyonce Knowles-Carter herself.
Staley posted a video to her Twitter/X account April 17 thanking the global music superstar for sending a bouquet of white flowers and merchandise promoting her latest album, "Cowboy Carter."
"B, thank you. We appreciate you. We're honored to wear your gear," Staley said in the video, visibly excited.
LOVE ON TOP!! @Beyonce pic.twitter.com/kmIZlQWG3h
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) April 17, 2024
The coach, who brought home her third national championship as head coach for the Gamecocks on April 7, read from a postcard delivered with the gifts:
"But I'm gonna read this card here, and if you know, you know: 'To Coach Staley and the entire South Carolina Gamecocks: Me and my family watched your games and cheered you on through the entire season," Staley paused for a moment on the video, letting the moment sink in.
"Repeat: 'Me and my family watched your games and cheered you on through the entire season. I am so proud of you. All my love.' Hit it"
Beyonce's "Texas Hold 'Em," starts playing over the video. The song is the lead single off of "Cowboy Carter," a 27-song musical epic that explores the country music genre's roots, complexities and future as a genre during more than an hour of experimental tracks and ambitious collaborations with legends like Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and South Carolina's own Linda Martell.
Beyonce also sent a T-shirt to Staley.
"It says, 'Always Been Country.' well guess what? I've been in the South for 16 years. I'm a little country, too," Staley says to conclude the video. "Keep inspiring. We love you."
Staley led her team to a perfect season, culminating in a shutdown of WNBA No. 1 draft pick Caitlin Clark that resulted in the Gamecocks clinching the title in a 12-point victory.
The congratulatory message to Staley and the USC team isn't the first notable one made in the wake of the Gamecocks' defeat of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Pres. Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris shared messages of praise after the championship game. Basketball legend Magic Johnson, Hootie and the Blowfish frontman (and USC's biggest fan) Darius Rucker and S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster paid tribute to the Gamecocks for their latest championship.
Staley and the team's steady climb to national notoriety is the result of a nationwide surge in interest in women's basketball, spurred by competitive game play and athletes with star potential.
