Dawn Staley Immortalized: Statue Unveiled in Columbia as A’ja Wilson Sends Powerful Tribute
Columbia, SC – History was etched in bronze on Wednesday as the city of Columbia unveiled a statue honoring the legendary University of South Carolina women’s basketball coach, Dawn Staley. The momentous occasion, attended by hundreds of enthusiastic fans, university officials, and community leaders, celebrated Staley’s unparalleled achievements and her profound impact both on and off the court.
The 14-foot tall statue, a powerful likeness of Staley holding a cut-down basketball net atop a ladder – a familiar image symbolizing her numerous championship victories – now stands proudly at the intersection of Senate and Lincoln Streets, near the University’s Pastides Alumni Center and a stone’s throw from the statue of her former star player, A’ja Wilson.
While the unveiling ceremony was filled with heartfelt speeches and joyous celebrations, a particularly poignant moment came through a powerful video tribute sent by Wilson, the reigning three-time WNBA MVP. Unable to attend in person due to training camp with the Las Vegas Aces, Wilson’s message resonated deeply with those gathered, underscoring the unique and enduring bond she shares with her former coach.
“It’s amazing, and I hate that I’m missing it,” Wilson said in the video, her voice filled with genuine emotion. “But obviously, I know she would cuss me out if I was there, not at training camp.” The lighthearted jab highlighted the playful yet deeply respectful relationship between the two icons.
Wilson continued, emphasizing the significance of the honor for Staley and the entire community. “It truly just speaks volumes to who she is and what she’s done for that whole city of Columbia, the state of South Carolina, women’s basketball. It’s deserving. I’m so happy that she finally gets it. I’m grateful to be standing with her – literally in statue form now.”
Staley, a three-time Olympic gold medalist as a player and a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, has transformed the South Carolina women’s basketball program into a national powerhouse since taking the helm in 2008. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have secured three national championships, numerous SEC titles, and consistently drawn record-breaking crowds, fostering an unparalleled culture of success and fan support.
During her own remarks at the unveiling, Staley expressed her initial reluctance towards the honor, revealing that she had hoped Wilson’s statue, erected in 2021, would be the sole representation of Gamecock women’s basketball excellence in bronze. However, she ultimately agreed, recognizing the broader significance of the statue, particularly for young girls who will pass by it in the years to come.
“I agreed to the statue not for me, but for the girl who will walk by one day and wonder who I was,” Staley explained, her voice filled with conviction. “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 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.”
Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Staley’s profound impact beyond basketball. “This statue is a tribute, but it really doesn’t encompass what she’s delivered for us as a community, what she’s done for women’s sports, what she’s done for young people, especially young women,” he stated. “It’s a testimony to all the hard work and it elevates us as a city.”
The statue, commissioned by the global organization Statues for Equality, joins a small but growing number of monuments in the United States honoring women, and an even smaller percentage depicting Black women. Staley’s likeness serves as a powerful symbol of representation, resilience, and the breaking of barriers.
In a moment that drew knowing laughter from the crowd, Staley appeared to playfully address a recent comment made by UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who quipped about the frequency of statue erections at other programs compared to his own. “Contrary to the belief of one of my coaching colleagues,” Staley said with a wry smile, referencing Wilson’s statue, “her statue wasn’t in response to winning a national championship. It was in response to being a winner at life.”
The unveiling ceremony was a culmination of years of planning and community effort, funded through a grant from Statues for Equality and generous contributions from local partners. The placement of the statue, strategically positioned between the State House and the University, underscores Staley’s deep connection to both the city and the state she has so passionately served.
As the tarp was removed and the bronze figure of Dawn Staley was revealed to the cheering crowd, it marked not just the honoring of an individual, but a celebration of leadership, dedication, and the enduring power of sport to inspire and uplift. The statue will stand as a permanent reminder of Staley’s extraordinary legacy and the profound impact she has had on countless lives, a beacon of hope and possibility for generat
ions to come.
