South Carolina’s Dawn Staley and Her Gameday Workout Crew: A Tale of Strength
In the world of women’s basketball, South Carolina’s director of women’s basketball performance, Molly Binetti, has been making waves with her gameday workouts. Since joining the program in 2018, Binetti has been hitting the gym on gamedays, sometimes alone or with a small group of staffers. However, everything changed when head coach Dawn Staley expressed interest in joining Binetti for a pregame lift.
On the eve of the Gamecocks’ game against Maryland, Binetti invited Staley to join her for a 10 a.m. workout. The next day, Staley showed up at South Carolina’s weight room, ready to go. Little did she know that this would mark the beginning of a new tradition for the team. On every gameday since that day, around a dozen members of South Carolina’s coaching and support staff gather for strength training and cardio.
According to assistant coach Lisa Boyer, it’s not a superstition but rather a routine that has become ingrained in the team’s culture. The No. 1 seeded Gamecocks enter their Sweet 16 matchup against Oklahoma undefeated, showcasing the impact of these workouts on their performance.
Everyone on the staff is welcome to join these workouts, and there’s no peer pressure involved. They pose for a photo after the workout and share their flexing moments on social media to document it. Initially, Binetti didn’t realize how significant these workouts would become, but now she sees them as an integral part of the team’s identity.
The specifics of the workout vary depending on the game’s location, but they usually last around 45 minutes. The sessions consist of a block of strength exercises followed by another block of different exercises. At the end of each workout, participants run-the-rack, which involves completing sets of bicep curls at increasing weights. They also do a Tabata cardio workout, alternating between sprinting and resting.
The morning workouts not only contribute to physical fitness but also showcase the team’s trust and support for each other. Bakari Sellers, an avid Gamecocks fan, has even joined the workout, along with former players such as Aliyah Boston and Laeticia Amihere. Amihere admits feeling competitive when she sees Staley and Boyer working out and pushes herself harder.
Staley, a six-time WNBA All-Star and three-time Olympic gold medalist, is still an elite athlete. She leads by example and works hard despite past knee surgeries. The coaches believe that Staley’s dedication sends a powerful message to the players and other key factions of the program.
Even though the players can’t participate in these morning workouts, they have noticed the impact on their coaches. Senior guard Te-Hina Paopao mentioned that the coaches come to breakfast sweaty and red-faced after the workouts. It’s clear that the staff takes pride in their discipline and commitment to these routines.
No matter how early or tired they may be, everyone on the staff shows up for these workouts. It has become an integral part of their daily routine and reflects the team’s overall culture and success.
South Carolina’s Dawn Staley and her gameday workout crew exemplify the team’s dedication to strength, unity, and relentless pursuit of excellence. These workouts not only contribute to physical fitness but also serve as a model for the players, showing them what it means to walk the walk instead of just talking about it. With their undefeated record and unwavering commitment, the Gamecocks are proving that strength goes beyond the basketball court.