A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE COACH DAWN STALEY FOR leading the university of south carolina women's basketball team to win the 2024 ncaa championship and to honor her for her legacy of leadership and excellence.

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to recognize Coach Dawn Staley for leading the University of South Carolina's women's basketball team through an undefeated 2023-2024 season that culminated in a thrilling victory over the University of Iowa to claim the national championship for the third time; and

Whereas, Coach Staley is the first Black head coach to win multiple national championships in men's or women's basketball; and

Whereas, after becoming the first coach to lead a program into the SEC Tournament with an undefeated record in multiple seasons, Coach Staley received her third straight SEC Coach of the Year award from her colleagues. She has received the award seven times, just one less than legendary head coach Pat Summitt, who holds the SEC record; and

Whereas, leading up to the Final Four, Coach Staley was recognized nationally for her coaching prowess by earning the 2024 Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year award, marking the fourth time she has won this prestigious award and becoming the first men's or women's coach to win the Naismith Coach of the Year award in three consecutive seasons. When Coach Staley won the Naismith Coach of the Year award in 2020, she became the first person to have won both Naismith Player of the Year and Naismith Coach of the Year; and

Whereas, Coach Staley was also honored as the Associated Press women's college basketball Coach of the Year for the second time. She won the United States Basketball Writer's Association Coach of the Year award for her work during the 2023-2024 season, marking the fourth time in five seasons that she has won that award; and

Whereas, in her sixteen seasons with the Gamecocks, Coach Staley is the program's all-time winningest coach with a program record for postseason appearances. Her teams account for all of the Gamecocks' Final Four appearances and NCAA National Championships; and

Whereas, Coach Staley is not only a legendary basketball coach. She is actively engaged in the community through her philanthropic work and advocacy. Among her many avenues of involvement, the Dawn Staley Champions Fund helps fund scholarships for first-generation, economically disadvantaged, underrepresented students and student athletes at the University of South Carolina. She is the co-founder and president of Innersole, a charitable endeavor that provides shoes to children in need and endeavors to help elementary-aged children engage in education by focusing on academics, attendance, behavior, and physical fitness. Coach Staley has joined with AFLAC to provide toys to children battling cancer or severe sickle cell disease; and

Whereas, the young women who enter Coach Staley's program learn the value of hard work, discipline, and dedication. They leave the program empowered, better prepared to take on the challenges that they will face throughout their lives and to be a positive force within their communities; and

Whereas, South Carolina Senate takes great pride in recognizing Coach Staley as a powerful mentor for young women and as an advocate for racial and gender equity in athletics. For her players, the fans, and the countless people benefiting from her philanthropic work and advocacy, Coach Staley's story is inspirational and aspirational; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment that Coach Staley has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Dawn Staley for leading the University of South Carolina's women's basketball team to win the 2024 NCAA Championship and honor her for her legacy of leadership and excellence.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Coach Dawn Staley.

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