South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley delivered a powerful response to UConn’s Geno Auriemma’s recent statue remarks during a ceremony unveiling her own statue on April 30, 2025. The controversy began when Auriemma, celebrating UConn’s 2025 NCAA national title, commented that “most other places, if you win one national championship, they build a statue to you outside the building. Here, they won’t even let you get to the front of the bus,” a remark widely interpreted as a jab at South Carolina’s honoring of star player A’ja Wilson with a statue despite her winning only one NCAA championship.
At the statue unveiling in Columbia, Staley addressed the comment without naming Auriemma directly, stating, “Contrary to the belief of one of my coaching colleagues, her statue wasn’t in response to winning a national championship. It was in response to being a winner at life.” She emphasized that Wilson’s statue symbolizes more than athletic success; it honors her as a hometown hero and an inspiration to youth, reflecting passion and preparedness beyond just championships.
Staley’s statue celebrates her own monumental impact on South Carolina basketball, where she has led the Gamecocks to three NCAA titles and transformed the program into a national powerhouse. She is the first Black coach in NCAA Division I history to win three national championships and is also a Hall of Fame player and social justice advocate.
The statue stands at the intersection of Senate and Lincoln Streets in Columbia, near the Colonial Life Arena, symbolizing Staley’s legacy of excellence, resilience, and leadership on and off the court. This moment reignited the rivalry between Staley and Auriemma, with fans praising Staley’s dignified clapback and celebrating her well-deserved recognition.
In sum, Dawn Staley’s statue unveiling was not only a tribute to her coaching and playing achievements but also a strong message affirming the broader significance of legacy and impact beyond just championships.
