COLUMBIA, S.C. – Bakari Sellers, a former South Carolina state legislator and now a CNN political analyst, bumped into Susan Rice at the Democratic National Convention in August.

Sellers shared, “I mentioned to her, ‘My girl is on her way.’”

Rice, who has held prestigious roles such as the United Nations ambassador and National Security Advisor during Barack Obama’s presidency, initially didn’t recognize whom he was referring to.

“Dawn’s coming,” he clarified, mentioning South Carolina’s women’s basketball coach, Dawn Staley.

Despite Rice’s extensive experience with global leaders and significant foreign policy roles, she was eager to meet Staley, demonstrating her star power.

“Ambassador Rice stood there for about 30 minutes just to catch Dawn, so they could discuss basketball,” Sellers noted. “She truly is larger than life.”

As she embarks on her 17^th season at South Carolina with another top-ranked team, Staley’s life is flourishing. The Gamecocks are set to defend their title against Michigan in Las Vegas.

Her social media is a remarkable reflection of her incredible life, showcasing moments shared with figures like Obama, Tom Brady, Serena Williams, and Guy Fieri, and adventures in places like the New York Stock Exchange, a Gucci show in Milan, a Balenciaga/Under Armor event in Shanghai, the Paris Olympics, and the DNC.

All this has unfolded just since she captured her third national championship in April.

“I think that’s fantastic for her,” remarked Te-Hina Paopao, a senior guard from California who transferred to play for Staley last year. “She’s so relaxed and amazing. I aspire to be like Coach Staley. One day she’s in Paris, the next at practice.”

Dawn Staley – An Unfiltered Authenticity

In the current landscape of college sports, where many coaches face immense pressure due to roster complexities from name, image, and likeness deals and the transfer portal, Staley has successfully converted her on-court achievements into a level of mainstream prominence that no other women’s college basketball coach has reached.

Even with a Hall of Fame playing career, including three Olympic golds, Staley at 54 is more culturally significant than ever, a Black woman who has built a basketball powerhouse from the ground up.

On any given day, she embodies a fashion icon, an avid Philadelphia sports fan, a voice for equality, and a sought-after companion for politicians and celebrities alike. Even her dog, Champ, a 7-year-old Havanese, has garnered thousands of followers online.

Currently, as many new fans flock in due to the buzz around Caitlin Clark, Staley stands as a connector between the growing visibility of women’s basketball and a celebrity culture that is now involved with the sport rather than dismissing it.

“Staley and Caitlin share a lot in common as they both have transitioned from the sports realm to mainstream media,” commented Debbie Antonelli, an ESPN basketball analyst who has covered Staley’s games during her playing days with the Charlotte Sting. “Wherever they go, they become a story. Not every women’s basketball coach or player can make that claim.”

Staley describes how her current status starkly contrasts her earlier years at South Carolina, where she labored to reach the NCAA tournament.

When she appears in high-profile venues that challenge the stereotype of laser-focused, stressed coaches mingling with celebrities, it’s not a publicity stunt or recruiting tactic. It’s simply that her hard-earned success has created opportunities she’s now eager to seize.

“I didn’t get invited to many places, but success changes that,” she explained. “If I were still a player, I probably wouldn’t have attended anything outside of basketball events. However, as I’ve aged, I want to experience life. I’m no longer afraid.

“In the past, my focus was entirely on my craft, and it felt strange. I wouldn’t even want my players to adopt that mindset, as I had no friends, but I was okay with it. Now, I have more friends than ever, and we enjoy time together, going on vacations. I want to explore different experiences, comparing events like the Balenciaga show with the Gucci show.”

This genuine authenticity shines through in her discussions about her life, her critiques on pay scales for women’s basketball coaches, the need for opportunities for Black coaches, and her transparent views regarding the upcoming elections.

— in part, explains her significant influence in the world of sports.

“She’s authentic and incredibly secure in who she is,” remarked Lisa Boyer, who has been Staley’s loyal assistant since their time together at Temple in 2002, where Staley was coaching in college while also playing in the WNBA. “She won’t just sit idly by and let things happen. Part of that stems from her role as a mentor to her team. She instinctively takes on that responsibility, guiding them along the way.”

Staley’s actions and statements have the potential to make her a polarizing figure in a state known for its conservative views; after all, South Carolina only removed the Confederate flag from its capitol building nine years ago.

At this pivotal moment in U.S. politics, with the country poised to choose between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris—who would be the first Black woman to ascend to the highest office if victorious on Tuesday—it is hard not to see the connections.

‘It’s okay to have different views’

While many college coaches steer clear of political discussions during election season—like Nick Saban, who remarked in 2016 that he forgot it was election day—there are outliers. The day before an interview with YSL News Sports, Staley shared a photo on X (formerly known as Twitter) showcasing her “I Voted” sticker, accompanied by the caption: “This just happened and I’m sure @KamalaHarris would approve of this vote.”

Staley recognizes that her position in a state where Trump won by significant margins in the last two elections can be tricky. Still, she maintains that her political views don’t alienate her from South Carolina’s supporters.

“That’s perfectly fine,” she stated. “We can have different opinions. I believe in the value of agreeing to disagree respectfully. If more people adopted this mindset, we would all be better off.”

“But I will always speak from my heart. I don’t think I’ve changed since Year 1; I remain true to who I am. I provide answers based on my experiences at the moment.”

Of course, there are critics and some fans who would rather see her focus solely on sports. Staley acknowledges the backlash, mostly seen on social media, and even occasionally engages with it. However, she remains unbothered by such dissent, as she has become an integral part of the university’s history; South Carolina has significantly invested in women’s basketball, seeing crowds that routinely fill their 18,000-seat arena, a testament to her influence.

“She has a lot of leeway,” said Sellers. “It’s not instantaneous. With her successful track record, her team’s character, and their good citizenship, she can comfortably endorse Kamala Harris and express her opinions. Yet it’s essential to remember her roots; she’s from Philadelphia, and that background shapes her perspective. That’s her strength.”

Advocating for gender equity

Staley indicated that she doesn’t have a close relationship with the vice president, although Harris visited the team’s shootaround in Columbia during an NAACP event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

With her extensive experience engaging with presidents during visits for Olympic gold medals and national championships, some might wonder if a political career could ever tempt her. Staley insists that the basketball court remains her most effective platform.

“For me, the pivotal moment was when she spoke at the ESPYs about the various challenges she faced in the sport,” said Bree Hall, a senior guard for the Gamecocks and a two-time national champion. “It struck me as incredibly powerful. It made others realize she isn’t just a coach; she’s a true leader.”

In that speech, where she accepted the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, Staley passionately articulated why her position is about far more than just a lucrative salary and accolades.

“How can I not advocate against injustice when I encourage my players to act rightly?” she posed. “How can I neglect the cause of fairness when advising them to avoid cheating or shortcuts? How can I disregard equity when I inspire them to reach their full potential?”

“How can I overlook the salary disparity when I achieve more yet earn less? They are observing me. I cannot demand they advocate for themselves if I remain passive. Nor can I request that they utilize their voices for change while I merely whisper. So, when people tell me to just coach, I reply, ‘No.’ I have a responsibility. I am under scrutiny.”

Consequently, everything that has transpired at South Carolina over the past several years becomes clear. The rise of her program to the forefront of women’s basketball isn’t solely due to talent or strategic abilities; those elements are crucial, but it encompasses something deeper.

Staley and her program epitomize the belief that it is indeed possible to demand higher standards from individuals and institutions—as illustrated when she contended for a contract extension that emphasized gender equity. You can compel those who may not share your opinions on critical issues to recognize the value you bring to the community. You can succeed and practice generosity, as she demonstrated by sharing pieces of the net from her first national title with every Black female coach in women’s basketball. You can achieve it all while maintaining your principles and advocating for significant issues.

“She is neither confrontational nor contentious, but she is very honest,” Boyer stated. “I don’t think she will be…”

It’s important to recognize when to stay quiet about certain issues, which I believe is a sign of personal growth. This change has occurred during her time in South Carolina, where she initially arrived without much understanding of what to expect. However, the community here welcomed her wholeheartedly, especially once we began to achieve success. There’s a straightforwardness to this place; everyone is aware of Dawn’s stance on most matters, and we maintain a well-organized environment. I think these qualities resonate with the people of South Carolina.

These foundational values have been crucial for achieving ongoing success: In the last nine NCAA tournaments, we’ve reached six Final Fours, and last year’s championship team astonishingly had seven players scoring between 8.1 and 14.4 points per game while finishing an undefeated 38-0.

To maintain such depth within a team requires immense dedication and commitment from the players, especially now that they can easily transfer between programs. However, this success is not merely coincidental.

Even when Clark was at the forefront of the national conversation in women’s basketball last year, you might have noticed that South Carolina didn’t complain about receiving less attention, despite their historic season. In fact, after the championship match where South Carolina triumphed over Iowa 87-75, Staley took the time to express gratitude to Clark for “elevating our sport.”

This was yet another instance of the kind of leadership that has garnered near-universal praise from politicians, athletes, and entertainers alike. It’s rare to find someone in any sport with such a high level of admiration as Staley has right now as she embarks on the quest for a possible fourth championship.

Thus, she will continue to express her views, advocate for her beliefs, and remain authentic, even in an environment in South Carolina where some may have doubted its sustainability.

Now that the championships are coming in succession, Staley has transcended women’s basketball; she has become a true American sports icon whose opinions and representation matter just as much as her coaching tactics.

“I refuse to confine myself to a box,” she said. “If I have something to express, a belief, or a perspective, we live in times where sharing is imperative. Whether that draws people in or alienates them is not my concern.”

“I feel fortunate. My players let me be myself.”