July 17, 2017

Reigning women’s basketball national champion South Carolina hosted Community Champions on Saturday, an event welcoming fans to Hyatt Park for music, fun and beautification projects around the Columbia park. The Gamecocks and fans planted flowers, painted benches at the baseball field, painted sidewalk games and replenished sand in the playground.

Head coach Dawn Staley opened the event on the newly painted basketball courts, which now feature the Gamecocks’ national championship logo to signify the program’s involvement in the park renovations. Staley emphasized the value of bringing her team to the park and ensuring future generations of Gamecocks have good, safe courts on which to develop their basketball skills for wherever the game may take them.

Fans helped by bringing flowers and other supplies to rejuvenate the park’s aesthetics. They were also willing to join in the labor of planting and painting throughout the morning. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon with a DJ playing music throughout and Food Lion providing lunch and drinks for everyone in attendance.