© 2023 South Carolina Public Radio
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WRJA-FM, 88.1 Sumter, will periodically be off the air this week due to extensive maintenance to our broadcast tower. We apologize for the inconvenience. Streaming on this site, smart speakers, and the SCETV App is unaffected.

Pete Iacobelli/Associated Press

  • South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley watches during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Auburn, Feb. 9, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. Staley embraced the change on her South Carolina Gamecocks. If only things came a little bit quicker. Staley opened practice Thursday, Sept. 28 2023 minus the skilled and accomplished “Freshies,” led by All-Americans Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke who left a legacy of trophies and championships for this team to match. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
    SC News
    South Carolina's Dawn Staley has work ahead with a new group of players
    Pete Iacobelli/Associated Press
    South Carolina opened its preseason camp without the talented and accomplished group of players led by All-Americans Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke. South Carolina lost seven players off last year's team, the core of a program that has reached the last three Final Fours and won it all in 2022.
  • South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley speaks to her team during a film session at the Women's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in Minneapolis. The players found ways to enjoy their time in Minneapolis preparing for the women's Final Four and a shot at a second national title. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
    SC News
    South Carolina's Dawn Staley becomes force on, off the court
    Pete Iacobelli/Associated Press
    South Carolina coach Dawn Staley has gone through a consequential year of success, both on and off the basketball court. Along the way, Staley has become the voice of leadership and direction in the women's game. She jokes often that she never planned to get into coaching before accepting the job at Temple even though she has always had in her. Staley's role as an elite point guard was to serve as the coach on the floor. She won her second NCAA Tournament crown — the first Black coach to accomplish the feat — with a 64-49 victory over UConn. Her success has given Staley the platform to champion issues off the court. She continues to speak out about gender equity, diversity and opportunities for women.
  • FILE - Then-Clemson coach Audra Smith shouts instructions to her team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Louisville, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in Louisville, Ky. South Carolina State women's basketball coach Audra Smith was fired Thursday, Feb. 14, 2022, a day after she sued the school in federal court alleging Title IX violations and discriminatory practices at the university. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)
    SC News
    SC State women's coach Smith fired day after filing suit
    Pete Iacobelli/Associated Press
    South Carolina State women's coach Audra Smith was fired a day after filing suit against the school alleging Title IX violations and discriminatory practices at the university. Smith was in her fourth season at the school. Her suit was filed Wednesday in federal court. She said in the complaint the school continually provided fewer resources to women's teams, athletes and coaches than received by men's teams. Smith's suit asked for undisclosed damages. On Thursday, South Carolina State ended Smith's contract. Smith was 24-73 in four seasons in charge of the program.
  • FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2020, file photo, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley reacts to an official's call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida in Gainesville, Fla. Dawn Staley and South Carolina have agreed to a new, seven-year contract that will pay her $2.9 million this season and grow to $3.5 million in the final season. The school's Board of Trustees approved the deal worth $22.4 million on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, to keep the national championship coach with the Gamecocks through the 2027-28 season. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)
    Sports
    South Carolina awards Staley 7-year, $22.4 million contract
    Pete Iacobelli/Associated Press
    South Carolina coach Dawn Staley has received a seven-year contract worth $22.4 million. She will get a salary increase of $800,000 this season, earning a total of $2.9 million. Her salary will increase each year of the deal until it tops out at $3.5 million in 2027-28. The school said in a statement it makes Staley the highest paid Black coach in women's basketball. The new deal was approved by the school's board of trustees on Friday. Staley's salary is tops in the Southeastern Conference, surpassing the $2.5 million newly hired Kim Mulkey will get with LSU this season.