Dawn Staley, head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks’ women’s basketball team, is being honored with a statue in Columbia for her contributions to the team and the community.
The statue will replace a Confederate flag downtown.
“I wanted A’Ja Wilson to be the only USC athlete to be bestowed that honor,” Staley said.
"It's bigger than basketball … Not very many women, let alone Black women, get bestowed in this honor."
Dawn Staley on the statue being built for her 👏 pic.twitter.com/IjEiJOyaSP
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) February 18, 2024
Staley expressed the significance of the honor and highlighted the city’s diversity.
The statue, approved in February 2023, depicts Staley cutting down a basketball net after a championship win.
“It’s bigger than basketball, obviously. It’s something that the city of Columbia wanted. It wasn’t anything I politicked for. They wanted to bring it, they wanted to represent,” she said.
“Our city’s diverse, our state is diverse. It’s awesome because there’s not very many women, let alone Black women, get bestowed this honor.”
“I think it’s an incredible that I probably don’t know its significance as we sit here today,” Staley said.
Staley’s successful coaching career and impact on the community have led to such recognition.
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