Wednesday dawned bright in Columbia, South Carolina, as the city unveiled a bronze statue honoring Gamecocks’ coach Dawn Staley.
But the celebration took on an edge of competitive fire when Staley used her speech to push back on a remark previously made by UConn’s Geno Auriemma.
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During UConn’s championship rally on April 7, Auriemma quipped, “Most other places if you win one national championship they build a statue… here they won’t even let you get to the front of the bus.”
The crack drew laughter in Gampel Pavilion, but today Staley reframed it.
“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.”
The “her” nod paid homage to A’ja Wilson, Staley’s former player and WNBA MVP, whose own statue stands nearby for her off-court impact and on-court excellence.
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Staley’s statue, located at the intersection of Senate and Lincoln Streets just half a mile from Wilson’s monument, commemorates more than three national titles and an .812 winning percentage at South Carolina.
It recognizes her impact as a mentor, community leader and trailblazer in women’s basketball.
South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley.ALEX HICKS JR./STAFF / USA TODAY NETWORK
Auriemma’s status as the sport’s winningest coach is unrivaled.
He has 12 NCAA titles, 24 Final Fours, and six perfect seasons.
Staley, meanwhile, has forged her own path with three NCAA titles, seven Final Fours, four Naismith Coach of the Year awards and two AP National Coach of the Year awards.
Both coaches have already been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Related: NCAA Sends Strong Message on Geno Auriemma After National Championship
Related: Dawn Staley Sends Clear Message to Departing South Carolina Transfer
