Dawn Staley Gives Back in Style at Back-to-School Bash
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley is making sure local kids start the school year off right — and in style.
Ahead of the first day of school, Staley joined forces with Richland School District One and Absolute Total Care to host a vibrant back-to-school bash aimed at uplifting the community with school supplies, shoes, and encouragement.
“There are pockets of the communities that need help,” Staley said at the event. “So we want to be on the grounds in the communities of places that are enthused about us being here.”
Whether kids were showcasing their own science creations or grabbing bags full of school necessities, the event buzzed with purpose. For Staley, one detail stood out the most: the shoes.
“The shoes are a big thing. It’s a big thing for me,” she said. “As a kid when I was growing up, I didn’t care what I looked like from my ankles up.”
The event, part of a larger initiative from Staley’s Inner Sole Foundation, focused on meeting students’ essential needs as they prepare to head back to class.
“Notebook paper, composition books. These kinds of things that kids are going to need to get back to school next week,” explained Monya Terry from Absolute Total Care, highlighting the importance of the basics.
To top it off, each child who received a new pair of shoes also got a personal photo opportunity with Coach Staley — a memory to carry into the school year along with their supplies.
With her signature mix of heart and hustle, Staley once again showed that her championship mentality extends far beyond the court.
