South Carolina Gamecocks basketball coach Dawn Staley sparked an intense reaction on social media Saturday after she was asked about transgender participation in women’s sports.
Staley and the Gamecocks defeated North Carolina State in the Final Four on Friday night and will play Iowa State for the national championship on Sunday.Dan Zaksheske of OutKick during a press conference I asked Staley his thoughts. Regarding the inflammatory issue in the United States
“I think if you’re a woman, you should be able to play. If you consider yourself a woman and want to play sports, or vice versa, you should be able to play. That’s my opinion. .You want to.’ Can we go deeper? ” she said.
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University of South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley watches from the bench during the first half of the NCAA Tournament Final Four game against North Carolina State on April 5, 2024 in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Custer)
When asked, “Do you think transgender women should be able to participate in women’s college basketball?” Staley answered, “Yes.”
“That’s the question you want to ask. I’ll answer. Yes, yes. So now Barnstormer people flood my timeline and interrupt me on the biggest day of our game. I’m going to, and I’m fine with that, I really am,” she added.
Staley’s comments sparked debate on social media.
Riley Gaines, OutKick contributor; Podcast “Gains for Girls”He shared his thoughts.
Oakland’s Jack Goelke wants the NCAA Tournament format to be maintained to give mid-major schools a chance.
“Dawn Staley knows very well that men’s basketball is a completely different sport than women’s basketball,” she said. “That’s evident in the speed of the game, the size of the ball, the amount of layups versus dunks when players take a fast break.
“Does Dawn Staley support 18U vs. 12U matches, heavyweights fighting featherweights, or Olympic athletes competing in the Paralympics? It’s always disgusting to see women become traitors in the name of sport.”Inclusion.” The women’s category was intentionally created to be exclusive by design. Go Hawks. ”
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley watches from the bench during the second half of the Women’s NCAA Tournament Final Four game against North Carolina State on Friday, April 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Custer)
Others have commented on X.
“Our tax dollars should not fund people and programs that advance these shameful ideologies that run counter to SC values,” South Carolina Rep. Adam Morgan wrote.
Piers Morgan “So by this logic, if LeBron says he’s a woman, does that mean he can play in the WNBA? Absolutely ridiculous,” he wrote.
Former NFL player Chris Manno said: “That’s just a ridiculous thing to say. It’s ridiculous what these people would say to protect themselves. Imagine in her day. Karl Malone and David Robinson… “I woke up one morning and said, ‘I feel like a woman today,'” she wrote. ‘
“We have no idea who Dawn Staley is. It’s always funny how things become okay for people without influence.”
Iowa State head coach Lisa Bruder speaks to her team during a timeout during the first half of the Women’s NCAA Tournament Final Four game against UW on Friday, April 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Molly Gash)
Sports journalist Lindsay Gibbs added: “It’s a great moment to see a top team coach tackle this issue head-on on the biggest stage and stand up for trans women. Dawn Staley deserves attention.”
Some praised Staley’s response.
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Iowa State head coach Lisa Bruder was asked the same question. She said her focus is on the national title game against South Carolina, but the issue is “an important issue” and “for another time.”
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