Dawn Staley is helping Temple women’s basketball. Here’s how
Dawn Staley got her start in coaching at Temple University 25 years ago.
She led the Owls to 172 wins, four A-10 Conference Tournament titles and six NCAA Tournament appearances during her eight years in Philadelphia.
It’s been 18 years since she left to take over at South Carolina, but Staley is still finding a way to impact her former team.
The Temple women’s basketball program on Monday announced a fundraising campaign — “inspired by the incredible generosity of legendary former head coach Dawn Staley” — called “Match the Momentum.” In what might be an unprecedented move, Staley has committed to matching the donations made through the Friday, Oct. 25.
“When you grew up in North Philly, Temple was the place to be,” Staley said in a video. “I honed my skills on the playgrounds of North Philly and then in McGonigle Hall back in the gym in the back, they don’t have anymore because they progressed and they’ve got great new practice facilities and everything like that. But when I was growing up, Temple, North Philly, Philly was synonymous with basketball.”
Under head coach Diane Richardson, Temple has won 20 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.
Richardson lauded Staley for her donation to Temple women’s basketball as well as everything she does for the sport.
“She understands, she’s always been a trailblazer with women’s sports,” Temple head coach Diane Richardson said in a video. “She understands that we need dollars to continue to elevate our programs. Dawn Staley’s donation is more than generosity. It’s a statement of belief. ”
Temple, in a news release, said the fund-raising campaign “helps our student-athletes compete at the highest level, recruit elite talent, and continue the winning tradition that makes Temple proud.”
