| Dawn Staley 2007 Honoree |
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| A larger-than-life, seven-story mural of Dawn Staley is located on the side of a building and overlooks her hometown neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This recognition is as much a celebration of Staley's community service as it is of her professional accomplishments. A three-time Olympic and two-time World Championship gold medalist, Staley is the head coach of Temple University's women's basketball team. In 2006, she retired from the WNBA Houston Comets and served as an assistant coach for the USA Women's World Championship Team. In 2000, Staley took over the Temple University team, one that had not achieved a winning record since 1989-90. |
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She turned the program around in her first season and is one of the top young collegiate coaches in the country, leading the team to three NCAA tournaments in her first five seasons.
One
of five children, Staley was born in Philadelphia and began playing basketball
with the boys in her neighborhood as a way to stay out of trouble. As the first
in her family to graduate from college, Staley played basketball at the University
of Virginia (U.Va.) from 1988 to 1992, her teams compiling a 110-21 record.
She is just one of three U.Va. Cavaliers to have their number retired, and
she twice was named National Player of the Year at U.Va.
"Having grown up in the housing projects of North Philly, I understand the profound value of Olympic dreams." |
Staley established the Dawn Staley Foundation in 1996 to give back to the Philadelphia community that has given so much to her. The foundation provides inner-city children opportunities to enhance their abilities academically, athletically and socially.
Last year, Staley was named the recipient of the 2006 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award. The award honors WNBA players who exemplify the ideals of sportsmanship on the court — ethical behavior, fair play and integrity. In 2005, in recognition of her volunteer work, Staley was awarded Philadelphia's prestigious Wanamaker Award, presented annually to the "athlete, team or organization that has done the most to reflect credit upon Philadelphia and to the team or sport in which they excel."
Staley encourages young people to dream big. "Having grown up in the housing projects of North Philly, I understand the profound value of Olympic dreams."
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