PHOTOS: Classes canceled, fans welcome home women's basketball National Champions at Colonial Life Arena

Thousands gathered at Colonial Life Arena on Monday, April 8, 2024 to welcome the 2024 National Champion South Carolina women's basketball team back to Columbia following the team’s 87-75 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the final round of the NCAA Women's Tournament on Sunday afternoon. University of South Carolina President Michael Amiridis sent out a mass email to the university announcing the cancellation of all classes beginning between 1 p.m and 3:15 p.m. to allow students, faculty and staff to attend the celebration.

Head coach Dawn Staley hoists the NCAA Women's National Championship trophy over her head as she and her team greet fans following a welcome home celebration for the South Carolina Women's Basketball team at Colonial Life Arena on April 8, 2024. Staley has led the Gamecocks to three National Championship titles since 2017.

A young Gamecock fan looks toward the video board prior to the start of a welcome home celebration for the 2024 National Champion South Carolina Women's Basketball team at Colonial Life Arena on April 8, 2024. An estimated 18.7 million viewers tuned in to watch the Gamecocks' 87-75 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes.

A Gamecock fan dances to music at Colonial Life Arena on April 8, 2024. Students and Columbia natives gathered to rewatch the championship game and welcome the Gamecocks home.

Second-year accounting and finance student Kallsen Wright screams in the front row of Colonial Life Arena on April 8, 2024. Attendees in the front row of the women's basketball homecoming event arrived at the arena before noon to secure their seats.

Head coach Dawn Staley peers through the center of the NCAA Women's National Championship trophy prior to the start of the welcome home celebration for the 2024 National Champion South Carolina Women's Basketball team at Colonial Life Arena on April 8, 2024. Staley is the first Black coach to win three NCAA Division 1 titles.

Senior guard Te-Hina Paopao waves to fans as she and her teammates arrive during a welcome home celebration for the South Carolina women's basketball team at Colonial Life Arena on April 8, 2024. Paopao was responsible for 14 points in 22 minutes of playing time during the Gamecocks' 87-75 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Sophomore guard Raven Johnson speaks to a crowd of fans at Colonial Life Arena on April 8, 2024. "The revenge tour is over," Johnson said. "Now it’s time for a repeat tour."

Sophomore forward Ashlyn Watkins, freshman guard MiLaysia Fulwiley and sophomore forward Chloe Kitts high five fans during a welcome home celebration for the 2024 NCAA Women's National Champions at the Colonial Life Arena on April 8, 2024. The Gamecocks defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

The video board inside Colonial Life Arena displays a graphic honoring USC's women's basketball team as the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball National Champions following a welcome home event on April 8, 2024. The Gamecocks ended the season 38-0 following an 87-75 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes.