South Carolina’s Dawn Staley criticizes NCAA title game overhaul, defending Black referees against being sidelined from future high-profile games.
South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley takes a strong stance against the repercussions of a critical review of the NCAA for officiating last April’s women’s national championship game between LSU and Iowa. Staley’s main concern is that this scrutiny could unfairly prevent the officials involved, who are Black women, from receiving important future assignments.
She describes it as if these women were being “thrown under the bus,” as reported by the Associated Press.
The game in review, where LSU earned a 102-85 victory over Iowa, received many reviews that the refereeing of the match did not meet expected standards. South Carolina’s 36-0 season was ended in the Final Four by Iowa.
The NCAA accelerated the review of officials based on these criticisms, however, the details of the report remain confidential, as do the identities of the officials. Staley said on the matter on X, formerly Twitter: “So the independent review was done anonymously, but we know who those responsible were…. all black and brown skinned women,” she says. job. “Now that they’re thrown under the bus, let’s not crush them.”
Staley, a prominent figure in women’s basketball and a two-time national champion, has consistently used her platform to champion the cause of black women, both as a coach and an official. His advocacy for fair treatment extends beyond the basketball court, as seen in his defense of his team’s style of play against racially charged criticism.
Earlier this year, Staley expressed concerns on a podcast about the treatment of black officials in sports. She stressed the importance of supporting them, recognizing the unique challenges they face. This commitment to diversity and inclusion was also evident in her request for a Black female coach to face her team in its season opener in Paris.
“So don’t judge us by the color of our skin. Judge us on how we approach the game,” she said in April, as reported by USA Today.
As the sixth-ranked Gamecocks prepare for their next game against No. 12 Maryland, Staley’s outspoken stance on the NCAA review and its potential impact on Black women’s officials remains a significant topic of discussion. His stance, while controversial to some, highlights the ongoing fight for equality and representation in sport.
