College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) at University of South Carolina Welcomes Dawn Staley for Insight-Packed Class on Leadership
In a standout moment for the HRSM program at the University of South Carolina, the college introduced a newly created special topics class, “Lessons in Leadership: The Dawn Staley Way,” and welcomed none other than Coach Dawn Staley herself for a dynamic session with students.
A new course with a powerful anchor
The course, led by HRSM Executive-in-Residence and former USC Softball Coach Beverly Smith, uses Staley’s best-selling memoir Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three as the foundational text. (Simon & Schuster) The class gives students a rare front-row seat to the lessons that have defined the legendary coach’s journey — from point guard to national-championship head coach.
During her visit, Coach Staley answered questions posed by HRSM Dean Michael Sagas as well as queries from the students. She didn’t just stop there — she stayed even longer than scheduled to sign autographs, engage with learners, and graciously posed with her dog Champ.
What she shared — in her own words
Coach Staley voiced a clear message about the mindset required to lead and succeed:
“It’s not enough to step onto the court and expect results. You have to know why you’re there, who you’re serving, and how you’ll respond when things don’t go your way.”
She also emphasized the importance of culture and identity:
“My journey from North Philly to national championships taught me that your background is not your limitation — it’s your story. Let that story guide how you lead, how you live, and how you lift others.”
And in reference to the class text, she remarked:
“When I titled the book Uncommon Favor, I meant that when you show up, serve others, demand excellence of yourself and culture, that’s when favor shows up. It’s not luck — it’s preparation meeting opportunity.”
Why this matters for HRSM students
For students in HRSM — particularly those studying leadership, sport management, and hospitality — the session offered more than inspiration; it delivered actionable insight. By dissecting Coach Staley’s path and leadership principles, students gained:
A blueprint for building a winning culture in sport and business.
A reinforcement of how authenticity, service, and resilience define leadership.
A real-world example of how strategic choices and values align with long-term success.
Professor Smith noted afterwards that the class is timed perfectly: “We want future leaders — in sport, retail, hospitality, whatever sector — to understand the power of culture, of legacy, and of personal accountability. Coach Staley’s experience is a living case study.”
The bigger picture
Coach Staley’s participation in the class underscores the growing connection between academic programs and elite sport leadership. Her presence helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, giving students access to someone who has lived and shaped the kind of championship mindset they’re studying.
For the University of South Carolina and the Gamecock community, the moment also reinforces the message that leadership matters — on the court, in education, and in life. As Coach Staley often emphasizes: excellence is not about titles, it’s about how you handle challenge, how you treat others, and how you sustain your vision when the scoreboard doesn’t favour you.
Final thoughts
“Lessons in Leadership: The Dawn Staley Way” isn’t just a class title on a syllabus — it’s an invitation to think differently about what leadership can be. Thanks to Coach Staley’s hands-on engagement, HRSM students won’t just study leadership — they’ll experience it, ask about it, and learn from someone who has mastered it.
