COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Preparations are underway for the unveiling of a statue honoring South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley.
The statue will be located at the intersection of Senate Street and Lincoln Street in Columbia, positioned between the University of South Carolina’s Colonial Life Arena and the State House.
Staley’s coaching career at South Carolina has redefined excellence in women’s college basketball. She has led the Gamecocks to three NCAA national championships (2017, 2022, and 2024) and multiple Final Four appearances, transforming the program into a national powerhouse.
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She is the first Black coach in NCAA Division I basketball history, men’s or women’s, to win three national championships.
Before her coaching tenure, Staley was a standout player, winning three Olympic gold medals with Team USA and earning induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
Off the court, she is widely respected as an advocate for social justice, gender equity, and inclusion, frequently using her platform to support underrepresented communities and speak out on issues of national importance.
During the ceremony, Staley said, “I agreed to the statue, not for me, but for the girl who would walk by one day and wonder who I was. Maybe she’ll look me up, she’ll see that I did some things in basketball of course, but hope she sees much more. I hope she sees that I was a champion for equity and equality, that in my own way I pushed for change. That I stood proudly in the space God called me to inhabit, not as someone perfect or extraordinary but as a regular girl who used her gifts to open doors so other girls wouldn’t have to knock as hard.”
Wednesday’s unveiling is the result of a partnership between the City of Columbia, Statues for Equality, and local community organizations.
This tribute celebrates not only her championship legacy as a coach and player, but also her unwavering commitment to leadership, community empowerment, and uplifting future generations. Dawn Staley’s influence continues to inspire both on and off the court, and this statue stands as a lasting symbol of excellence, resilience, and pride for Columbia and the entire state of South Carolina.
Those wishing to attend the ceremony can find the ceremony at the intersection of Senate St. and Lincoln St. (900 Senate St, Columbia, SC 29201), located right next to the University of South Carolina Pastides Alumni Center.
