Dawn Staley’s legendary legacy just got even bigger — and this time, it’s official.
The city of Columbia, South Carolina has declared May as “Dawn Staley Month,” honoring the iconic South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball head coach for her transformative impact on and off the court. The announcement came on the same day the city unveiled a brand-new bronze statue of Staley, standing tall on campus as a symbol of her enduring greatness.
The recognition couldn’t be more fitting for someone whose resume is stacked with accomplishments: WNBA legend, Olympian, NCAA champion, and three-time national title-winning coach. Since being selected in the first round of the 1999 WNBA Draft, Dawn Staley has redefined excellence at every level of the game.
𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲:
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀. 𝗜 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝘂𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, 𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂.
“This tribute celebrates not only her championship legacy as a coach and player,” a press release from the city read, “but also her unwavering commitment to leadership, community empowerment, and uplifting future generations.”
Staley’s influence, the statement continued, “stands as a lasting symbol of excellence, resilience, and pride for Columbia and the entire state of South Carolina.”
After taking the helm of the South Carolina program in the 2008–09 season, Staley faced early struggles, missing the NCAA Tournament her first three years. But since then, the Gamecocks have become a March Madness fixture, never missing a tournament and establishing a dynasty that includes five consecutive Final Four appearances and the 2024 national championship victory over Iowa.
To top it off, Staley is currently on a nationwide book tour for her upcoming release, Uncommon Favor, connecting with fans and sharing her journey. And in a poetic twist, May is also her birthday month — making this tribute feel all the more personal and well-timed.
From the hardwood to the heart of Columbia, Dawn Staley’s story is now cast in bronze — and celebrated all month long.
