It’s not every day that women’s basketball recruiting and environmental issues are discussed at a conference about how society can become more sustainable.

But on Thursday, two seemingly disparate threads came together as University of South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and a top assistant talked about how sustainability played a key role in the acquisition of Joyce Edwards. Camden High School star, searched by Some of the nation’s top programs were looking for a university that would allow him to pursue degrees in environmental engineering and sustainability.

He was able to get what he wanted thanks to a program at USC’s honors college that allows high-achieving students to pursue majors that include subjects they’re particularly interested in. Because the school didn’t offer the environmental engineering degree Edwards wanted to pursue, the honors college was able to help, Staley, Edwards and others said during panel discussions at the university. Sustainable SC Conference in Columbia on Thursday.

“It played a huge role in my academic and athletic decision to go to college where I wanted to go,” Edwards said of the honors college’s support. ‘If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be at South Carolina.’ ‘

Staley, whose team won the national championship last spring, said Edwards’ parents pushed for academics throughout his elementary and high school years and insisted he attend college.

“You have someone like Joyce Edwards who loves South Carolina basketball but whose parents are engineers,” Staley said. “They knew what kind of education they wanted their children to receive and they would not settle for (less). “When it came to what kind of education Joyce would receive, it was a non-negotiable.”

“It was always academics… number one,” said Edwards, who explained that he had to get good grades to be able to play basketball when he grew up, along with his parents.

Angela O’Neal, USC’s former director of women’s basketball operations, said the Carolina coaching staff was concerned that Louisiana State or Clemson would acquire Edwards at some point. Both offer environmental engineering degrees, according to their websites. Carolina only offers a minor in environmental and sustainable engineering.

Staley assistant and women’s basketball recruiting director Mary Wooley contacted the university’s honors college in hopes of convincing Edwards to attend USC. Ultimately, the right training course was created through the university’s “Create Your Own Department” program. The program has strict standards for students in the honors college, which is considered one of the best colleges of its kind. The prep coach previously told The State that Edwards had a 5.1 GPA in high school.

Sustainability is a frequently used word that describes the need to manage natural resources wisely to prevent harm to future generations. Businesses are increasingly looking for ways to do business sustainably. Environmental engineering programs study how to stop pollution and prevent harmful environmental effects on human health, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Edwards said he became interested in climate change and sustainability issues since his childhood. He said changes in the Earth’s climate are beginning to be felt by humans. More intense storms, rising sea levels and melting polar ice caps are some of the problems facing the world, Edwards said in an interview with The State. He said he wanted to use his status as a basketball player to help further raise public awareness.

This is not surprising, according to Staley, who says Edwards has leadership qualities. The coach noted that Edwards is both an outstanding young player and a good student. The 6-2 forward is already impressing people with his play even though he is a freshman. Scored 19 points, grabbed 12 rebounds last 106-63 win over Memphis.

“He is incredibly competitive and has to elevate people to his level,” Staley said. “He settled into the team at such a young age, even as a freshman.”

Overall, Staley and Wooley said recruiting is about more than basketball. Coaches learn about their recruits long before their senior year in high school, so they know what they like and the types of subjects young players are interested in studying. Staley said Edwards is a good example of that.

“Joyce is passionate about sustainability. Joyce is passionate about basketball,” Staley said. “He will find different passions through his experiences at university. And whatever it is, we will be there for it.”

More than 100 people attended Thursday’s conference, held at the Bull Street village development’s Central Energy facility, to hear discussions on the environment, energy and sustainability. Lt. Governor Pamela Duygute was on one of the panels.