‘May the Staley’s Month’ 🏀🗽: Columbia, South Carolina Honors Dawn Staley with Statue Unveiling and Declares May as “Coach Dawn Staley Month”
In a powerful and emotional celebration that brought together city leaders, university officials, former players, and fans from all walks of life, Columbia, South Carolina has taken a historic step in honoring one of its most influential figures — Coach Dawn Staley. On a sunlit morning filled with pride and reverence, the city unveiled a bronze statue in Staley’s honor near Colonial Life Arena and officially proclaimed the month of May as “Coach Dawn Staley Month.”
The twin tributes not only recognize Staley’s unmatched contributions to women’s basketball and sports leadership but also her enduring impact on the Columbia community, the University of South Carolina, and the cultural fabric of the state.
“May is now a month of inspiration in this city,” declared Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann at the unveiling ceremony. “Every year, we will celebrate not just the coach, but the leader, the advocate, the trailblazer — Coach Dawn Staley.”
A Statue That Tells a Story
The statue, designed by renowned sculptor Billie Lawless, captures Staley in mid-coaching stance — whistle in one hand, clipboard in the other, her gaze focused and determined, as if preparing her team for a championship run. Around the base of the statue are engraved her career milestones, famous quotes, and a timeline of her journey from Philadelphia to Columbia, including her Olympic medals, WNBA accolades, and her coaching triumphs.
Unveiled in front of a crowd of thousands — many wearing Gamecocks crimson and holding “Thank You, Coach Staley” signs — the statue is already being hailed as a landmark symbol of progress, perseverance, and pride.
“It’s not just a statue of me,” Staley said during her acceptance speech. “It’s a symbol of all the little Black girls and boys who dare to dream, who dare to lead, and who know their voice matters.”
Why May?
The decision to designate May as “Coach Dawn Staley Month” is rich in symbolism. May marks the end of the academic year, a time of graduation and celebration. For many of Staley’s student-athletes, it’s the culmination of not just athletic seasons but personal growth, academic achievement, and life-changing mentorship.
By dedicating the month to Staley, Columbia aims to ensure that her values — leadership, service, courage, and equity — are reflected across the city each spring.
Throughout the month of May, the city will host a series of events under the “Staley’s Month” banner, including:
- Youth basketball clinics led by current and former Gamecock players
- Leadership seminars inspired by Staley’s advocacy on racial equity and gender representation
- Community service drives in collaboration with Staley’s Innersole Foundation
- A scholarship initiative for underprivileged student-athletes
The celebrations will culminate each year with a “Staley Day Parade,” celebrating local leaders and young athletes, with Coach Staley serving as the honorary grand marshal in the inaugural edition.
A Legacy of Excellence and Empowerment
Dawn Staley’s contributions to the University of South Carolina and to the game of basketball are well documented. Since arriving in Columbia in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to three NCAA Championships (2017, 2022, and 2024), multiple Final Four appearances, and a dominant run in SEC play. Her teams are renowned for their toughness, unity, and the sense of family that she instills in every player who wears the jersey.
Off the court, Staley has been a tireless advocate for social justice, mental health, and equal pay in sports. She was the first Black coach in Division I basketball — men’s or women’s — to reach a multi-million-dollar contract milestone and continues to mentor women and people of color in leadership roles nationwide.
“Coach Staley is the greatest leader I’ve ever played for,” said A’ja Wilson, Gamecocks alum and WNBA MVP. “She taught me how to win, how to lead, and how to speak truth even when it’s uncomfortable.”
More Than a Month — A Movement
The creation of “Coach Dawn Staley Month” marks a cultural shift in how we recognize leadership in sports. It serves as an annual reminder that excellence isn’t only about banners and trophies — it’s about character, compassion, and courage.
“I’ve always believed in pouring back into the people who believed in me,” Staley said during her speech. “This city believed in me when I was building something from scratch. Now we’re building something even bigger — a legacy.”
As the crowd chanted “Dawn! Dawn! Dawn!” and young fans lined up to take pictures in front of the statue, it was clear that this was more than a civic tribute — it was a celebration of hope and of history.
Columbia has given Dawn Staley her flowers. But more importantly, it has given her a legacy carved in stone and written into the city’s calendar for generations to come.
May the Staley’s Month live on — not just in Columbia, but as a national model of honoring greatness that lifts others along the way.
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