The South Carolina Gamecocks celebrated their NCAA championship with a victory parade in Columbia, where coach Dawn Staley rode in a Rolls-Royce Dawn and was presented with a wrestling belt by the mayor. The parade featured a float with tombstones representing the teams they defeated, and players expressed unity and gratitude to fans. Staley spoke about the team's "uncommon favor" and the emotional journey to winning the title, emphasizing the extraordinary love and support from the fans.
The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team won the 2024 NCAA Championships with a total of 172.5 points, securing their 11th team National Championship under head coach Cael Sanderson. Four individual champions were crowned, including the first two four-time NCAA kings in Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks. The team also welcomed two new NCAA champions to the fold. The Nittany Lions left Kansas City with eight All-Americans and a record-breaking 100-point lead over second place.
LSU has released its 2024 baseball schedule, which includes 27 games against teams that participated in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The season begins on February 16 against VMI, and the Tigers will also play six games against clubs that advanced to the College World Series. Current season ticket holders have until October 2 to renew their tickets, and applications are available for fans to join a request list for new season tickets and parking permits. The Tigers' non-conference schedule includes a trip to Minute Maid Park in Houston for the Astros Foundation Classic. The SEC slate begins on March 15 with a road series against Mississippi State.
The University of Nebraska's women's volleyball team set a new attendance record for a women's sporting event, with over 92,000 fans attending a regular-season match held in the football stadium. This event highlights the growing realization among universities that investing in women's sports can be financially beneficial. More athletic programs are seeing gains from women's sports, challenging the outdated notion that there isn't enough demand. Factors such as rules allowing athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, as well as shifting societal views on gender equity, have contributed to greater investment in women's sports. Nebraska's volleyball team, which has consistently led the sport in average attendance, has also benefited from loosened rules on endorsements. While the event is not expected to generate significant revenue, it has generated interest in the program and is likely to have future benefits for both the team and the university.
