Dawn Staley Honored with Bronze Statue in Columbia: “I Hope She Sees Much More Than Basketball”
A crowd of over 300 supporters gathered under the warm April sun in Columbia, South Carolina, to celebrate a momentous occasion — the unveiling of a bronze statue honoring legendary South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley.
The event, held near the USC Alumni Center and South Carolina Statehouse, brought together a host of dignitaries and long-time supporters, including Mayor Daniel Rickmann, City Manager Teresa Wilson, officials from Aflac, several university leaders, and of course, Staley herself.
A Historic Tribute
Mayor Rickmann kicked off the ceremony by declaring May as “Coach Dawn Staley Month” in the City of Columbia. He praised Staley’s impact on women’s sports, saying the statue would serve as a lasting reminder to “encourage young female athletes to push for the same funding, attention, and respect as men’s sports often receive.”
Moments later, the black drape was pulled back, revealing the bronze statue to raucous applause. Captured in mid-celebration, the statue shows Staley on a ladder, net in hand, waving proudly — a tribute to her victorious spirit and leadership. A plaque bearing her name sits beside it, symbolizing her enduring legacy.
Importantly, the statue’s placement away from Colonial Life Arena — where A’ja Wilson’s statue already stands — was intentional. Staley wanted to avoid competing symbolism with her former star and instead chose a more neutral public space to emphasize representation over recognition.
A Message Bigger Than Basketball
Throughout the ceremony, speakers reflected on Staley’s legendary career: her three NCAA championships, multiple Final Four appearances, and her profound impact on the Columbia community.
When Staley took the stage, she delivered a moving speech filled with gratitude, humility, and purpose. She shared that her initial reaction to the idea of a statue was resistance.
“When conversations began honoring A’ja Wilson with her statue… I’ll admit I wanted hers to be the only one. Ever,” she said, drawing warm laughter from the crowd.
But her perspective shifted when officials reminded her that only 6% of statues worldwide depict women.
“Remember that when women aren’t represented, half of the population is left out of retelling history on the many accomplishments women have had in shaping the world,” Staley said powerfully.
Legacy for the Next Generation
She went on to explain the deeper meaning behind accepting the honor:
“I agreed to the statue, not for me, but for the girl who will 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 I 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.”
A Moment That Resonated
The speech drew a standing ovation. The overwhelming reaction — both in person and online — was one of celebration and inspiration. As one tweet by Justin King put it:
“The statue, the location, the smile and the joy. All so very deserved. Congratulations, @dawnstaley!”
The ceremony captured the essence of Dawn Staley’s enduring legacy — not only as one of college basketball’s greatest coaches but as a transformative figure who continues to uplift others through her example of leadership, equality, and the belief that sports can be a powerful force for change.
