The University of South Carolina women’s basketball coach, Dawn Staley, is facing backlash from a secularist legal group for her recent comments about belief in God. Following her team’s advancement to the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, Staley expressed gratitude to God for their success, stating, “If you don’t believe in God, something’s wrong with you.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has called on the university to take action against Staley, accusing her of promoting her personal religious beliefs and denigrating non-Christians within the women’s basketball program. The FFRF argues that current and future non-Christian and nonreligious players should feel welcome and respected, rather than pressured to adopt a specific religious belief.
In response to the FFRF’s letter, Staley’s attorney has recommended that the university remind her of her constitutional duties under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and ensure that she does not continue to proselytize to her players. Staley, however, remains unapologetic about her faith, expressing gratitude to God on social media and leading her team in gameday devotionals.
Despite the controversy, Staley and her team are focused on their upcoming game against North Carolina State University in the Final Four. The winner of that matchup will go on to compete in the championship game on Sunday. As the Gamecocks prepare for their next challenge, the debate over the role of religion in sports continues to unfold.