Dawn Staley, Coach and Olympian, to receive 2023 Global Vision Award

The Columbia World Affairs Council announced Coach Dawn Staley as the 2023 Global Vision Award recipient. An Olympic gold medalist, American Basketball Hall of Famer, and head coach of women’s basketball for the University of South Carolina, Staley will be honored at a black-tie gala on Thursday, December 7, at the Columbia Museum of Art. This is the 30th year the Columbia World Affairs Council has presented the award to a leader whose contributions have made a significant impact on projecting South Carolina globally.

“From the home court to the international arena, Coach Staley has done a tremendous job of placing South Carolina on the world stage,” said Bob Coble, former Columbia mayor and chair of Columbia World Affairs Council Board of Directors. “Her talent as a player and coach, as well as her outstanding leadership and accomplishments, exemplify the spirit of the Global Vision Award.”

Internationally known, Staley is a three-time Olympic gold medalist as a player. Olympic gold medals in 1996, 2000, and 2004 (during which she was honored by carrying the flag into the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony) highlight her collection of 10 gold medals and one bronze on the world stage. She won her first gold medal as Team USA’s head coach in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

Staley kicked off the current season with her team’s win against Notre Dame in Paris, France. Under her leadership USC has captured five SEC regular season championships, seven SEC tournament titles, four Final Fours, two NCAA National Championships, seven Sweet Sixteen appearances, five SEC Player of the Year awards, and five SEC Freshman of the Year awards. Staley has been awarded SEC Coach of the Year five times.

Prior to her time at USC, Staley was the NCAA’s all-time steals leader taking the University of Virginia to three consecutive Final Fours before going on to play in the WNBA for the Charlotte Sting and the Houston Comets.

In 2013, Staley co-founded INNERSOLE, a nonprofit organization that provides new sneakers to homeless children and children who are in need.

Among her numerous awards and honors, Staley was named one of the Top 15 players in WNBA history in 2011. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. She received the Order of the Palmetto in 2013 and the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service in 2020.

The Columbia World Affairs Council showcases South Carolina globally through international connections, educational programming, and innovative exchanges. Through our vast network of regional and international partners, the Council continues developing opportunities to increase economic prosperity and global education while advancing South Carolina as an international destination.

The Columbia World Affairs Council was established in 1993 to promote public awareness of global issues and international activities in the Midlands of South Carolina. The Council administers the sister city program for the City of Columbia and is a member of the Washington-based World Affairs Councils of America and Sister Cities International.

The Global Vision Award was established in 1994, and the first recipient was Governor Carroll A. Campbell. The 2022 Global Vision Award was given to Dr. Jim Chow, senior partner at Columbia Skin Clinic and retired brigadier general in the United States Air Force.

For more information, please visit columbiaworldaffairs.org.