Dawn Staley Champions Fund

The Dawn Staley Champions Fund helps fund scholarships for first-generation, economically disadvantaged, underrepresented students and student-athletes at the University of South Carolina by providing financial aid for tuition and educational expenses, creating equal opportunities for success, principles Coach Staley has championed. With donor support, this fund is making a positive impact on students' futures.

New Event Date Announced

A Celebration of Dawn Staley featuring special guest Craig Melvin, co-anchor of NBC's “Today Third Hour” is scheduled for Thursday, August 10, 2023.

About Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley’s life and career tell a story of grit and determination, overcoming the odds to achieve extraordinary success as a basketball player and coach. Since taking over the struggling South Carolina women’s basketball team in 2008, she has brought home two national championships (2017, 2022) and taken the team to the NCAA tournament 10 times. In 2021, she led the U.S. women’s basketball team to an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.
About Craig Melvin

Columbia native Craig Melvin is a co-host for NBC’s “TODAY” show. Melvin was previously a news anchor for MSNBC. Melvin was a weekend anchor for WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. Melvin was a news anchor at WIS in Columbia where he was named best anchor by the South Carolina Broadcaster’s Association and won two Emmy Awards. Melvin received an honorary degree from USC in 2022 and is a graduate of Columbia High School and Wofford College.

Supported Education Initiatives

The event will highlight three key education initiatives supported through the Dawn Staley Champions Fund: Gamecock Guarantee, the Richard T. Greener Scholarship and the Women’s Basketball Leadership Fund.

Gamecock Guarantee

The Gamecock Guarantee is a need-based financial and academic support program for academically talented first-generation students from South Carolina. The program offers students $4,500 of support per year, additional assistance such as scholarships, as well as access to programs and services that bolster their academic achievement and further enrich their undergraduate experiences.

Richard T. Greener Scholarship

Named in honor of the first Black faculty member at the university, the Richard T. Greener Scholarship is a $2,000, four-year scholarship awarded to incoming underrepresented freshmen based on academic achievement, leadership ability, community service and financial need.

Women’s Basketball Leadership Fund

The Women’s Basketball Leadership Fund improves the overall student-athlete experience by providing resources to foster success on campus and throughout life. Focus areas include leadership training, career resourcing and life skills development.

Thank you to our sponsors

Thank you to our 2023 event sponsors who are making a positive difference through their support of the Dawn Staley Champions Fund.

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Garnet Trust Foundation
Grace Outdoor Advertising
Michelin
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
NMDP/Be The Match
Truist

Giving at South Carolina