Couch Dawn Staley Immortalized with Statue in Columbia: A Lasting Legacy Cast in Bronze
On May 10, 2025, Columbia, South Carolina, witnessed a historic moment as the city unveiled a statue honoring Coach Dawn Staley, the head coach of the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball team. This monumental tribute not only celebrates her exceptional coaching career but also underscores her profound impact on the sport, her community, and the broader landscape of women’s athletics.
The journey to immortalize Coach Staley in bronze began in February 2023 when the city of Columbia, in collaboration with Statues for Equality, announced plans to erect a statue in her honor. Statues for Equality, an organization dedicated to increasing gender and racial representation in public monuments, identified Staley as a fitting subject due to her groundbreaking achievements and advocacy for equity in sports .
The statue’s design was entrusted to renowned sculptors Gillie and Marc Schattner, based in Sydney and London. Their vision captured a powerful image of Staley standing atop a ladder, holding a net aloft—a symbolic gesture representing triumph, leadership, and the elevation of women’s sports. The installation site, strategically located at the intersection of Senate and Lincoln Streets outside the Pastides Alumni Center, places the statue in close proximity to the South Carolina Statehouse, ensuring its prominence in the city’s landscape.
Dawn Staley’s legacy is built upon a foundation of excellence, both on and off the court. As a player, she was a standout point guard for the University of Virginia, earning multiple All-American honors and setting NCAA records for steals. Her prowess extended to the international stage, where she secured three Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women’s basketball team .
Transitioning to coaching, Staley took the helm of the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2008. Under her leadership, the program has flourished, capturing three NCAA national championships (2017, 2022, 2024) and achieving a perfect 38-0 season in 2024. Her coaching accolades include multiple Naismith Coach of the Year awards, solidifying her reputation as one of the premier figures in women’s college basketball .
Beyond her coaching success, Staley has been a staunch advocate for gender equity in sports. She has used her platform to challenge disparities and push for greater recognition and opportunities for women athletes and coaches. This commitment to advocacy is reflected in the statue, which serves as a testament to her role in reshaping the narrative around women’s sports.
The unveiling ceremony on May 10 was a momentous occasion, drawing a crowd of supporters, alumni, and dignitaries. Coach Staley, visibly moved, expressed her gratitude and humility during the event. She remarked, “I agreed to the statue, not for me, but for the girl who would walk by one day and wonder who I was… I hope she sees that.” Her words resonated deeply, highlighting the statue’s significance as a beacon for future generations of young women aspiring to make their mark in sports and beyond.
Mayor Daniel Rickenmann of Columbia also spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of the statue in recognizing Staley’s contributions to the community and the sport. He noted that the statue not only honors a local legend but also sends a powerful message about the city’s commitment to celebrating diversity and inclusion.
The decision to honor Coach Staley with a statue is particularly poignant given the broader context of representation in public monuments. Statues of women, especially women of color, are notably scarce in the United States. According to art professor Sierra Rooney, only 6% of all statues in the U.S. represent women, with an even smaller percentage depicting Black women . By erecting this statue, Columbia takes a significant step toward rectifying this imbalance, providing a visible acknowledgment of Staley’s impact and serving as an inspiration to others.
The unveiling of Coach Staley’s statue is not the culmination of her journey but rather a milestone in an ongoing legacy. It serves as a reminder of the power of sports to inspire change and the importance of representation in shaping the future. As the statue stands proudly in Columbia, it will continue to inspire countless individuals, particularly young women, to pursue their dreams and challenge the status quo.
In the words of Coach Staley, “I hope she sees that.” Indeed, the statue is more than a tribute; it is a message to all who pass by that greatness knows no gender, no race, and no limits.
