South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley turned a potentially negative moment into a humorous and viral sensation after her team’s 76-70 victory over Louisiana State University (LSU) on Jan 25.
When confronted with LSU fans booing, Staley cleverly responded:
“Actually they were [friendly], they were calling me ‘boo,'” as reported by Sports Illustrated.
Embracing the amusing twist, Staley took the opportunity to make a statement, showing up to the Vanderbilt game on Jan. 28 wearing a sweatshirt with the word “Boo” prominently displayed across the front.
The lighthearted response not only garnered attention but also inspired humorous merchandise and national acclaim.
Staley’s witty comment, “They were calling me ‘boo,'” quickly spread across the internet, turning the coach’s reaction into a viral moment.
Chandler Mack, a sportscaster for WLTX, captured the coach’s spirited fashion choice in a Twitter post, stating, “Dawn Staley rocking the ‘BOO’ hoodie today.”
Despite the initial booing from LSU fans, South Carolina maintained an undefeated record, much to the chagrin of the LSU faithful. Reflecting on the boisterous crowd, Staley shared:
“If I could personally meet everybody that booed, I’m assuming they’re LSU fans. So we want to make more of them.”
Staley credited the energetic atmosphere, created by the opposing fans, for motivating her team.
“It was a hostile crowd, tough place to play, and we needed that,” she acknowledged.
Riding the momentum from the “boo” incident, the undefeated Gamecocks dominated Vanderbilt with a convincing 91-74 victory on Jan. 28, solidifying their No. 1 ranking.
The team’s resilience and Staley’s humor turned what could have been a negative experience into a memorable and positive chapter in their season.
