The City of Columbia is set to unveil a statue honoring legendary University of South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley this week.
Officials announced the unveiling ceremony will take place on Wednesday, April 30, at 4 p.m., located at the intersection of Senate Street and Lincoln Street, right beside the USC Pastides Alumni Center.
The $140,000 bronze statue, a project more than two years in the making, stems from a collaboration announced in February 2023 between the city and Statues for Equality, a public arts organization focused on representation.
In February 2024, WIS News 10 provided an exclusive preview of the statue, crafted by Statues for Equality artists and officially approved by Coach Staley herself.
Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann emphasized that the statue aims to inspire young female athletes to “push for the same funding, attention, and respect” that men’s sports traditionally enjoy.
Since taking over the program in May 2008, Staley has built a dynasty, leading the South Carolina Gamecocks to three national championships, seven NCAA Final Four appearances, nine SEC regular-season titles, and nine SEC Tournament championships.
Her impact extends to individual player success as well: 13 Gamecocks have earned 29 All-America selections, and 18 players have been drafted into the WNBA, including 11 first-round picks under her leadership.
