Why Dawn Staley kept signing autographs at Sweet 16 after NCAA sent word to stop

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SACRAMENTO, CA — It doesn't matter where South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley is, she's going to sign autographs if people ask.

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After the No. 1 seed Gamecocks (34-3) beat No. 4 Oklahoma 94-69 in the Sweet 16 in Golden 1 Center on March 28, a line of people waited to talk to Staley during halftime of the second game between No. 10 Virginia and No. 3 TCU.

"Our game has grown, people want more access to us. I think it's only right for us to give back to the game," Staley said March 29.

So even when an arena staff member came over and told Staley to stop, she didn't. She just kept signing.

"Do you know how much those tickets cost yesterday?" Staley said. "I will say this, the people in the arena were really nice. They started helping to organize it, and then some gentleman came over and he's like, 'Stop, we're not doing this.' I was like, 'Well, why?' And he said because the NCAA people told us to stop it. 'Excuse me?' I'm going to keep going because this is the way you grow the game."

Staley clarified, saying, "they did say something about a fire hazard" but was comfortable continuing to sign because this is nothing new to her.

Staley has drawn crowds in opposing arenas, and she's had lines formed after destroying opponents by 50 points. But to many fans it doesn't matter, they want an autograph or chance to see Staley regardless of where they're from.

At the SEC Tournament, she had lines wrapped around the stands while other teams played but she stood on the arena floor, taking the time as each person funneled through.

During the Sweet 16 she made sure it happened at halftime of the TCU vs Virginia game so people who were sitting to watch the game weren't blocked by the line.

"We have our staff members keeping everything organized in a way that is safe for the fans to come get autographs and then exit out, like real organized," Staley said. "I think it's only right ... I enjoy giving back to the game."

Staley is coaching in her sixth straight Elite Eight game on March 30 (9 p.m. ET, ESPN) against TCU (32-5), hoping to advance to an eighth Final Four.

After the Elite Eight win in 2025 over Duke, Staley greeted fans in Birmingham, Alabama, and even signed the back of a baby's shirt.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky‪@bylulukesin.bsky.social‬

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Why Dawn Staley signed autographs after NCAA asked her to stop

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