Title
Honoring and congratulating Dawn Staley for coaching the 2022 Women's NCAA Championship basketball team, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.
Body
WHEREAS, Dawn Michelle Staley, began coaching for the University of South Carolina Women's basketball team in 2008, where she rebuilt the basketball program from scratch, ultimately winning her first NCAA championship in 2017, less than a decade at the helm; and
WHEREAS, A North Philadelphia native, Staley graduated from Murrell Dobbins Technical High School, where she was named national high school player of the year during her final season, going on to University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where she led her team to four NCAA Tournaments, three Final Fours and on National Championship game during her first four seasons; and
WHEREAS, After playing basketball professionally for several years, Staley went on to coach the Temple University women's basketball team from 2000-08, leaving with the best overall record of 172-80, six NCAA appearances, and four Atlantic 10 titles; and
WHEREAS, On the heels of her first gold medal as head coach of the 2021 Summer Olympic Women's Basketball team, Staley signed a new contract with Carolina worth $22.4 million for seven years, becoming the second highest-paid women's basketball coach in the country; and
WHEREAS, Just months after renewing her contract, Staley led the Lady Gamecocks to victory over the UConn Huskies, 64-49, in the final championship game, notably handing the UConn coach his first loss in 12 national championship appearances; and
WHEREAS, With two championship wins under her belt, Staley is now the only Black coach in history of Division 1 Basketball to win multiple championships and will enjoy a $650,000 bonus for this latest win; and
WHEREAS, Staley continues to be a trailblazer, who at the top of her game, is an inspiration to young women and sports fans around the world; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY...
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