12 stories show Dawn Staley’s success, legacy beyond South Carolina women’s basketball

Dawn Staley’s transformative impact on South Carolina women’s basketball extends beyond the court, reflecting her commitment to excellence and equity. Her journey from a struggling program to national champions illustrates her vision, perseverance and leadership. From obtaining major recruits to organizing fund-raising exhibitions, Staley’s initiatives off the court have been impactful, as seen in her acknowledgment by national leaders and her Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. Celebrations of her achievements include a team visit to the White House and a planned statue in her honor, a testament to her enduring legacy in both sports and social advocacy.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

No. 1: ‘Dawn was worth it’: Inside South Carolina’s quest to hire Dawn Staley as WBB coach

Sixteen years later, here’s the story of how Staley came to South Carolina, told by those who were there to experience it or make it happen. | Published March 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Payton Titus

No. 2: Remembering Dawn Staley’s first season as USC coach: ‘She had vision from Day 1’

The Gamecocks’ first year under Dawn Staley was far from perfect, but it helped lay the groundwork for the tremendous success that was to come. Sixteen years later, here’s the story of that first season as told by those who lived it. | Published March 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Payton Titus

No. 3: VP Kamala Harris shouts out Dawn Staley, No. 1 USC WBB on visit to Columbia

Harris was in Columbia Monday to deliver the keynote address for the annual “King Day at the Dome” event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. | Published January 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Payton Titus

No. 4: The Dawn Staley statue is on its way to Columbia. Here’s what we know

The project was first announced in February 2023. | Published June 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Payton Titus

No. 5: Shane Beamer lauds Dawn Staley: ‘There’s a lot of things that I’ve learned from her’

“I don’t know if I’m giving her much advice. ... Dawn’s fantastic.” | Published July 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Payton Titus

No. 6: This Clemson fan lost his mother. How USC coach Dawn Staley helped him heal

Chris Garner has always rooted for the Tigers. But after Staley’s classy gesture following the death of his mother, he says he’ll be a “lifelong fan” of the USC women’s team. | Published April 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chapel Fowler

No. 7: Dawn Staley’s national champion Gamecocks honored with Columbia parade

It’s the third title and third parade for Staley and her program. | Published April 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Madison Hricik

No. 8: ‘Finally’: Dawn Staley, Gamecocks visit White House for 2024 national championship

The chandeliers, golden wall-to-wall curtains and massive mirrors were grander than their home court. But they walked in exuding the same confidence as when they run out of the tunnel on game day. | Published September 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Payton Titus

No. 9: Dawn Staley asked about transgender athletes in women’s sports. Her response went viral

“If you’re a woman, you should play,” Staley said. “If you consider yourself a woman, and you want to play sports or vice versa, you should be able to play. That’s my opinion.” | Published April 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Payton Titus

No. 10: Dawn Staley’s impact at South Carolina goes beyond wins and SEC championships

USC’s Thursday victory over Alabama marked 600 career wins for Staley and the Gamecocks’ eighth SEC regular-season title. But the milestone means more than that. | Published February 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Payton Titus

No. 11: Everything Dawn Staley said during South Carolina WBB’s White House visit

“To stand here in the White House — a house that symbolizes hope, unity and opportunity for all — is a moment that is not lost on me.” | Published September 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chapel Fowler

No. 12: South Carolina’s Dawn Staley wins Jimmy V Award at ESPYS. ‘I have a job to do’

“It’s the fight for me,” Staley said in her acceptance speech. “The unwillingness to give up or to quit. I think that’s why I stand here today.” | Published July 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Payton Titus

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.