Teams from different sports fields have been asked the question of whether they would visit the White House to celebrate their championship now that Trump is residing there. Some have attended while others have said they wouldn’t. Yesterday we learned of another team that won’t be traveling to D.C., but for a different reason.
The White House was informed that the South Carolina Gamecocks, the 2016-2017 NCAA Women’s Basketball Champions, would not be making the trip. When asked why, Coach Dawn Staley let everyone know where the team’s mindset was.
We did hear from the White House about attending [Fridays] event, but we will not be able to attend, Staley said in release issue by the school. As Ive been saying since our practices for this season started, all of our focus is on the season ahead. The only invitation we are thinking about is to the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
The Collegiate National Champions Day is today at the White House, but the team has practice today in preparation for their game on Sunday against Wofford.
This is not the first time that Coach Staley has been asked the question about a White House visit. When asked in June, she said the team would attend if invited. She was asked about it again this past October as the team was preparing for practice, knowing that an invitation had not been extended as of yet.
Heres my take, and Im not going to discuss the White House anymore. As far as Im concerned, Im over the White House thing, said Staley to reporters. The only invitation I would like is an invitation to get into the NCAA tournament in March. Thats the only invite that Im looking forward to.
We havent gotten an invitation yet and that in itself speaks volumes, she said at the time.
That invitation finally arrived earlier this month, but Coach Staley had already moved on. The season is here and she’s fully focused.
