University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley (left) with Brent Childress at Darlington Raceway before the South 500 NASCAR Auto Race on Sunday, September 4, 2022 in Darlington, South Carolina walking the course of (Shawn Rayford, Associated Press)
Estimated duration: 5-6 minutes
PROVO — The BYU Women’s Basketball Program will receive a lump sum almost two months before the first game is scheduled to start following the cancellation of the Home and Home Series.
Led by first-year head coach Amber Whiting, program receives $100,000 from South Carolina after defending national champion I chose to cancel two game seriesAccording to a copy of A two-game contract obtained by KSL.com through a Public Records RequestThe first game of the series was originally scheduled for Nov. 7 in Columbia, South Carolina, but was canceled following allegations of racial heckling during a BYU women’s volleyball game against Duke. it was done.
The series, which was agreed on May 24, amended to include a final cancellation clause three days later, and signed by South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, includes an undisclosed “mutually agreed” deal in 2023. It also included a return game in Provo, which was set on a ‘fixed date’.
The original contract called for a $25,000 cancellation fee and guaranteed no compensation for visiting teams, other than a limited number of tickets per home game.
However, the May 27 Amended Agreement, obtained by KSL.com, states that if canceled within 90 days of the effective termination date, the non-breaching party will be terminated unless cancellation is mutually agreed upon. requested a new cancellation clause of $100,000 to Moreover.
Staley, a two-time NCAA champion and two-time Naismith Trophy Coach of the Year, agreed in April to a new seven-year salary valued at $22.8 million, ending his final year in 2028. reaches $3.5 million annually. Records obtained by South Carolina.
After the cancellation of the series, BYU was scheduled to open in Colorado on November 8th. The Cougars’ home opener is against Montana State on November 12, three days before he welcomes Oklahoma to the Marriott Center.
“My daughters were really looking forward to that game,” said BYU first-year coach Amber Whiting. told BYUtv By introducing a schedule that also includes Washington and Troy in Hawaii, and Utah on December 10th…we have to get out there and fight as if we were fighting South Carolina.
“I know it’s not what they wanted. But that’s fine. We’re fine.”
Staley said he made the decision to cancel the series after being a two-time NCAA tournament champion. told the Associated Press She examined the situation from every angle and spoke with several people about the alleged incident during the volleyball game.
“I slept on it a few nights,” Staley said before NASCAR’s Southern 500 in Darlington, South Carolina. I woke up with the same intuition.”
The incident alleges that a 19-year-old Duke sophomore and the Blue Devils’ lone black starter was racially heckled during a Cougars game during the DoTERRA Invitational and called a slur by BYU fans. BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe and women’s volleyball coach Heather Olmsted apologized to the player, and BYU has since changed its fan code of conduct, allowing fans to sit behind the service line on one side of the court at Smith Fieldhouse. have restricted seating for students of Responding to Complaints.
The university also indefinitely banned a fan Duke identified as using slurs at all on-campus sporting events, A self-investigation by the university found no evidence of defamation.
“While we were unable to find evidence of racism from many recordings and interviews, all involved acknowledged our sincere commitment to ensuring that all student-athletes competing at BYU feel safe. We hope that you will understand our efforts.” . “As Athletics Director Tom Holmo said, BYU and BYU Athletics are committed to zero tolerance of racism, and are committed to supporting student-athletes, coaches, and fans.” We strive to provide a positive experience for everyone who attends our sporting events, such as: being valued and respected.”
A group of South Carolina legislators, known as the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, are using the power of the legislature to release records and demand an explanation for the canceled series. According to WPDE news in South Carolina.
In a letter sent to the state to the public, the caucus called the decision to cancel the series an “unwise overreaction.”
“Dawn Staley found herself injecting herself and Ray Tanner when there was no evidence that it happened,” said RJ May, state delegate and caucuses vice president. said.
Staley said he had not discussed the cancellation with his players, but his athletic director Ray Tanner, a former Gamecox baseball coach who has held his current position since 2012, supported the decision.
The former six-time WNBA All-Star has spoken out frequently about her role as a social activist, particularly regarding racism incidents and speaking out against racism in America. She frequently spoke out in support of the Matter movement and other anti-racism efforts, and often encouraged players, fans, and others to join her in standing up to injustice.
“This is not just about X’ing and O’ing,” Staley said. told athletic “You can’t blindfold sports, so teach, grow, learn and be a role model for your players.
“The world in which we play a role is happening outside of us — whether people want us to dribble silently or not. But there are things happening that affect us.”
The decision to cancel the two-game series with BYU was in line with her own personal principles.
“This was a selfish decision,” Staley said. “I was only thinking about women’s basketball in South Carolina,” she said.
“I just wanted the players not to have to endure it,” she added. “If that happened (as it did with Duke), there would be no words of comfort.”
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