Dawn Staley explains the benefit of the PowerHER Classic to HBCUs

South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley is a strong supporter of HBCU basketball, as exemplified by the upcoming PowerHER Classic. This event will feature South Carolina alongside HBCU programs from Alabama A&M, Tennessee State, and North Carolina Central. During SEC Basketball Media Days, Staley discussed the PowerHER Classic, emphasizing its role in highlighting and promoting HBCU Women’s Basketball programs.

The Classic is scheduled to take place from November 26 to 29 in Columbia, South Carolina, and is being organized as the first women’s college basketball tournament centered around a live NIL marketplace. This focus on HBCU programs aims to provide top teams with a unique opportunity to compete and connect face-to-face with brand partners on-site.

Staley stressed the importance of this event in helping HBCU student-athletes capitalize on their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, which may not be as extensive as those available to players at other institutions. When asked about her relationship with Alabama A&M’s Dawn Brown, Staley admitted that she does not know Brown personally but hopes to meet her.

She emphasized that the event offers more than just the games, as it represents a larger message aimed at promoting the significance of HBCU basketball.