By happenstance the South Carolina women's basketball team found a good omen when they arrived to Albany.
Right across the street from their team hotel is a sports bar named Dawn's Victory Sports Cafe. Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks are in Albany to win and they already have a local establishment that is supporting them by name.
Dawn Lynch is the owner of Dawn's Victory Sports Cafe and she bought the bar about three years ago. It's right down the street from the Times Union Center where the Gamecocks will be playing Buffalo in the Sweet 16.
Lynch didn't know who Dawn Staley was but after being informed that she's a Hall of Fame player and national champion head coach she agreed that Coach Staley will see victory this weekend. She also said. has an open invitation for Dawn to come by and have a drink and she is supporting South Carolina this weekend.
Buffalo and UConn's fan bases are closer to Albany but Gamecock fans already have a spot that is pro USC in a way. Lynch is looking forward all the foot traffic by her bar in downtown Albany for the NCAA women's tournament.
"We hope it's going to bring a lot people down here. There's a lot of bars. Everybody can walk from Times Union Center from here. It's about seven minutes," Lynch said. "There's a parking lot across street so people can in and eat our after the game stop in."
Dawn's Victory Sports Cafe is located at 10 Sheridan Ave in downtown Albany.