The College Fix

‘I’m OK with that. I really am’

The women’s basketball coach at the University of South Carolina recently told a press conference she believes anyone who identifies as a woman should be able to participate in women’s sports.

Dawn Staley, whose team plays for the national championship today against Iowa, responded to reporter Dan Zaksheske’s question about the issue by saying — after a rather long pause — “I’m under the opinion of … if you’re a woman you should play.”

“If you consider yourself a woman … and you wanna play sports,” Staley continued, “you should be able to play. That’s my opinion.”

When asked specifically if transgender women should be allowed to play against (biological) women in organized sports, Staley said “Yes, yes.”

Staley apparently knew what she got herself into as she quickly added “So now, the barnstorm of people are gonna flood my [social media] timeline and be a distraction to me on the biggest days of … our game. And I’m OK with that. I really am.”

Progressives quickly lauded Staley; Democratic strategist Ameshia Cross tweeted “She’s a pro. @dawnstaley is unshakeable much to the chagrin of the loud, anti-trans right. Today is a big day for college women’s basketball. A huge day for the undefeated Gamecocks. Haters gonna hate. Staley is gonna keep winning and making history.”

USA Today’s Nancy Armour wrote “Dawn Staley is a goddamn national treasure. She’s asked by the usual suspect about transgender athletes. Says transgender women should be allowed to play.”

I asked South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley if she supports transgender women (biological males) playing women's college basketball.

"If you consider yourself a woman and you want to play sports or vice versa, you should be able to play." pic.twitter.com/SEQCsNiFvm

— Dan Zaksheske (@RealDanZak) April 6, 2024

Lindsay Gibbs, founder of a women’s sports newsletter, added “What an incredible moment to have the top coach of the top team on the biggest stage face the question head on and stand up for trans women. Dawn Staley is remarkable.”

Some in opposition wondered how Staley would feel if she (or her team) had to play against a team featuring biological men.

In the fall of 2022, Staley canceled USC’s two games against Brigham Young U. after a Duke University volleyball player claimed she was called the n-word by fans of the former. After an investigation revealed there was no basis for the player’s allegations, Staley nonetheless stood by her decision citing her “personal research.”

MORE: NCAA leader resigns over transgender policy: It’s ‘massive, essentially authorized, cheating’

IMAGE: News 19 WLTX/YouTube

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