SC’s governor weighs in on Dawn Staley-Missouri drama

South Carolina governor Henry McMaster tweeted his thoughts Saturday on the ongoing controversy involving USC women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley and Missouri athletic director Jim Sterk.

In strong terms, McMaster backed Staley and demanded a retraction and apology from both Missouri and the SEC for Sterk’s comments in late January accusing Staley of promoting an environment at Colonial Life Arena in which Mizzou players were allegedly spit on and called racial slurs after a Jan. 28 game.

“Anything short of a full retraction & apology from @SEC and @Mizzou is an insult to every South Carolinian,” McMaster wrote. “@dawnstaley is GOLD MEDAL role model for our daughters and sons. We stand with Dawn #TeamSC.”

Staley filed a lawsuit this Thursday against Sterk, claiming defamation and negligence. Shortly after news of Staley’s lawsuit broke, the SEC announced it would fine Sterk $25,000 for his comments, but also mandated a review of Colonial Life Arena’s game management systems and visiting team security.

South Carolina women’s basketball next takes the court on Sunday in Knoxville against Tennessee at 4 p.m.

This story was originally published February 24, 2018 at 3:46 PM with the headline "SC’s governor weighs in on Dawn Staley-Missouri drama."