City of Columbia unveils statue honoring Coach Dawn Staley’s legacy of leadership and impact
May 12, 2025
On Wednesday, April 30, the City of Columbia unveiled a permanent statue honoring Coach Dawn Staley, a basketball icon and community leader whose legacy continues to uplift generations. The ceremony, held at the intersection of Senate and Lincoln Streets, brought together civic leaders, the University of South Carolina, Aflac, and many of Staley’s former teammates, players, and supporters.
“A statue might show her holding a trophy, in standing in triumph, but it will never show the conversations she had lifting others up, the challenges she overcame privately, or the quiet ways she changes lives daily,” said City of Columbia Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann at the unveiling ceremony. The truth lives beyond what can be sculpted- it lives in the people she’s impacted and culture she’s helped shape.”
Coach Staley’s contributions transcend her historic achievements as a three-time Olympic gold medalist, Hall of Fame player, and one of the winningest coaches in NCAA women’s basketball history. She is the only Black coach in NCAA history—men’s or women’s—with multiple national titles and most recently led the University of South Carolina to a perfect 38-0 season and another NCAA Championship in 2024.
Her leadership has driven the Gamecocks to national prominence, including seven Final Four appearances, nine SEC championships, and a record-breaking conference win streak. Off the court, Staley has built a community rooted in equity, access, and empowerment, drawing the nation’s largest women’s basketball crowds and serving as a role model far beyond the sport.
“She is the kind of person in our city who deserves to be recognized at every opportunity,” said City Manager Teresa Wilson. “There is no greater tribute than a lasting, visible symbol that future generations of Columbians can look to as a reflection of Dawn’s remarkable impact.”
The statue, commissioned by the global organization Statues for Equality, features Staley standing on a ladder, net in hand—a tribute to her iconic tradition of cutting down nets in victory. Its placement offers a view of the State House and proximity to the University’s Pastides Alumni Center, symbolizing her deep ties to both the City and the state.
“To have this sculpture included in our Statues for Equality project means everything to us,” said sculpture artists Gillie and Marc. “Our mission has always been to help correct the severe gender imbalance in public monuments by honoring extraordinary women around the world. We believe that when people see sculptures of powerful female role models in their cities, it helps shift perceptions and possibilities. Dawn Staley is exactly the kind of hero the world should see more of.”
The total cost of the statue project was $174,000, funded equally by a grant from Statues for Equality and generous contributions from community partners. Additional enhancements included $50,000 for plaza construction and $25,000 for the base, benches, and plaques. The City of Columbia remains committed to enhancing public spaces and supported efforts to beautify the area surrounding the monument—creating a space that honors Coach Staley and welcomes all who visit.
“Aflac is proud to support Coach Dawn Staley, a coach who is truly in a league of her own,” said Aflac Incorporated President Virgil Miller. “Coach leads with compassion, purpose and humility both on the court and in the community. We’re honored to celebrate her legacy by being a part of this historic tribute, and to commemorate this event with a limited-edition Playa Society shirt that captures her resilience and drive.”
To commemorate the unveiling of Coach Dawn Staley’s statue, Aflac teamed up with streetwear brand Playa Society on a special, limited-edition collaboration.
The shirt features a hand-drawn sketch of Coach Staley wearing her signature necklaces, inspired by a pediatric cancer patient who bonded with her while making one of the iconic necklaces during a 2023 My Special Aflac Duck® event at UVA Children’s. Beneath the sketch, the phrase “Keep Beating the Odds” reflects her determination and commitment to uplifting others.
Family, friends and members of the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team wore the shirt at the statue unveiling to mark the occasion and recognize Coach Staley’s powerful impact through her leadership and outreach.
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