What South Carolina's Dawn Staley said when her dog Champ got his March Madness gift

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tennessee Tech head coach Kim Rosamond delivered on her pregame promise Thursday, carrying a gift bag into the news conference room just before South Carolina's Dawn Staley arrived for Women's March Madness media day here. Inside the bag: a nameplate for Staley's dog, Champ.

When Staley saw the nameplate in place on Thursday, she called in Champ, who was in a hallway outside the room. After the news conference ended, she asked players Bree Hall and Sania Feagin to take a photo of her and Champ with the nameplate.

“I’ve known Kim for a long time — she’s coached in this league — and I’m super happy for her," Staley said. "I’m over the top that she would extend such a nice gift to my boy.”

After Dawn Staley and South Carolina's news conference, Staley asked players Bree Hall (nearest) and Sania Feagin) to get a photo with her, Champ and Champ's nameplate.

On Tennessee Tech’s Instagram and X accounts, Rosamond posed with her two Shih Tzus, Dolly and Dean, and their nameplates — while holding Champ’s. “We have you covered for Thursday’s press conference,” the caption read.

This all started after the 2024 NCAA Tournament selection show, when Staley joked that Champ wouldn’t answer questions until he had a nameplate in front of him. Just 10 minutes after Tennessee Tech posted about Rosamond's plan Wednesday, Staley posted: “Thank you, my fur friends… Champ Staley will be in the building, front and center behind his nameplate. Good looking!”

Tennessee Tech, a No. 16 seed, plays defending NCAA champion South Carolina in a first-round game Friday (4 p.m., ESPN).

Sarah Sims is a student in the University of Georgia's Sports Media Certificate program.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Carolina's Dawn Staley talks Champ's Women's March Madness gift

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