Dawn Staley just gave one of college basketball’s most respected HBCU football programs a public salute — and it’s part of something much bigger than a social media shoutout.
While South Carolina State football keeps building a dynasty under head coach Chennis Berry, Staley is proving her influence stretches well beyond the hardwood. Between her heartfelt praise for Berry’s program and a brand-new tournament initiative, the Gamecocks legend is putting her platform to work for HBCU athletics in a major way.
A Dynasty in the Making at South Carolina State
Since Chennis Berry took over before the 2024 season, South Carolina State has become one of the most respected programs in the MEAC. In just two seasons, the Bulldogs have captured back-to-back conference championships and earned consecutive trips to the Cricket Celebration Bowl. Even more remarkable, Berry has yet to lose a single conference game as head coach.
That kind of consistency doesn’t happen by luck. It’s built on culture, discipline, and leadership — the exact qualities that caught Dawn Staley’s attention.
The Visit That Sparked It All
Before turning their focus to the upcoming season, Berry and his coaching staff visited South Carolina’s women’s basketball program to exchange ideas with Staley and her staff. It wasn’t a photo-op. It was a genuine meeting of two programs built on accountability and player development.
After South Carolina State shared highlights from the visit online, Staley responded with a message that quickly resonated with fans. She joked that Berry had beaten her to the punch by posting first, but what followed carried real weight. She credited the Bulldogs with making the entire state proud — not just for winning championships, but for the character they build and the positive influence they have on their community. She even predicted another title run was on the way, closing her message with love for the program.
That praise wasn’t about trophies. Staley has never measured success by wins alone, and her words reflected a coach recognizing another program that mirrors her own values at South Carolina.
A Shared Philosophy: Process Over Headlines
The respect goes both directions. Speaking at MEAC Media Day, Berry revealed that his team discusses winning a championship exactly once — before the season starts. After that, every conversation shifts to daily improvement. His mindset is simple: fall in love with the work, focus on going one-to-zero every day, and let the results follow.
It’s a philosophy that echoes what Staley has preached throughout her championship runs with the Gamecocks. Neither coach believes dynasties are built by talking about titles — they’re built through daily habits and consistency behind the scenes.
That mindset will be tested this season, as South Carolina State enters 2026 with 52 newcomers alongside 52 returning players — essentially a brand-new roster. Still, Berry remains confident his staff recruited players who fit the program’s identity, not just talented athletes, and he’s pointed to strong depth across offense, defense, and special teams as the group comes together under one culture.
Staley’s Next Move: The Power Her Player Classic
Staley isn’t stopping at praise. She recently confirmed she’ll host the inaugural Power Her Player Classic, a new women’s basketball event set for November in Columbia, South Carolina. The event is expected to feature South Carolina alongside HBCU programs including Alabama A&M and Tennessee State, with more details still to come.
What sets the tournament apart is its focus on NIL opportunities — giving HBCU women’s basketball players a bigger stage and access to benefits that haven’t always been available outside the power conferences.
This initiative lines up with what Staley has advocated for years. After South Carolina faced Southern University in the NCAA Tournament, she praised HBCU coaches for building battle-tested teams capable of competing with anyone, despite far fewer resources. She’s backed that up with action, scheduling HBCU opponents like Coppin State and agreeing to a home-and-home series with a MEAC program. Her coaching tree has extended the impact further, with former Gamecock Candace Dupree now leading Tennessee State and former staffer Olivia Gaines taking over at North Carolina Central.
The Bigger Picture
Whether it’s praising Berry’s leadership, launching new NIL opportunities, or scheduling HBCU opponents, Dawn Staley keeps using her platform to elevate programs that don’t always get the national spotlight. Meanwhile, Berry keeps proving South Carolina State’s success is about more than football wins — it’s about discipline, character, and community impact.
Championships matter. But building people and creating lasting opportunities is the kind of legacy that outlasts any trophy.
Can South Carolina State complete the three-peat this season? And will Staley’s new HBCU tournament become a game-changer for women’s college basketball? Let us know what you think.
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