Dawn Staley Responds to Geno Auriemma During Her Statue Unveiling
During the unveiling of her statue in Columbia, South Carolina on April 30, 2025, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley addressed recent comments made by UConn coach Geno Auriemma. His remarks, which were widely interpreted as criticism of the statue honoring former Gamecocks star A’ja Wilson, sparked controversy earlier in the month.
Following UConn’s national championship win over South Carolina, Auriemma quipped, “Most other places, if you win one national championship, they build a statue to you outside the building.” Many viewed this as a jab at Wilson’s statue, erected after her 2017 national title run and WNBA success.
Staley used her moment in the spotlight to respond firmly yet gracefully. “Contrary to the belief of one of my coaching colleagues,” she said during her speech, “A’ja’s statue wasn’t in response to winning a national championship. It was in response to being a winner at life.”
Staley emphasized that the statue of Wilson represents far more than athletic accomplishment—it reflects her leadership, character, and inspiration to the community. Her comments were met with applause and underscored the importance of recognizing individuals for their broader impact, not just their trophies.
Staley’s statue and speech both serve as a reminder that legacy is built on more than championships—it’s built on how you uplift others.
