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.

About The Event

The University of South Carolina values educational access and affordability. One of our biggest champions of these efforts is women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley. The September 3, 2026, fundraising event, “A Celebration of Dawn Staley,” will recognize Coach Staley’s recent achievements on and off the court, and, most importantly, it will benefit the Dawn Staley Champions Fund. The event will highlight four key education initiatives supported through the Dawn Staley Champions Fund that benefit first generation students and student-athletes at the University of South Carolina: Gamecock Guarantee, the Richard T. Greener Scholarship, the Women’s Basketball Leadership Fund and CarolinaLIFE.

About Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley’s life and career tell a story of grit and determination, overcoming the odds to achieve extraordinary success. Since taking over the South Carolina women’s basketball team in 2008, she has brought home three national championships (2017, 2022, 2024) and has made the Gamecocks the winningest program in the nation over the last five seasons. The first person to win both the Naismith Player of the Year and Coach of the Year awards in a career, she has been the national coach of the year five times, including after leading South Carolina to a 38-0 season in 2023-24. Her success in SEC championships and winning percentage is the second only to the legendary Pat Summitt. In 2021, Staley led the U.S. women's basketball team to an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.

Supported Education Initiatives

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

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 $5,000 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 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.

CarolinaLIFE

CarolinaLIFE is a non-degree, residential certificate program at the University of South Carolina for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Built on inclusion and individualized support, it helps students develop skills in academics, career readiness, independent living, and social engagement. Students are fully immersed in campus life, with access to USC courses, housing, organizations, athletics, work-study, and commencement, while receiving tailored support to reach their personal and professional goals.

2026 Event Sponsors

Thank you to our 2026 event sponsors* for your support of the Dawn Staley Champions Fund.

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

First Horizon Bank
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
atkinslaw
SouthState Bank

Bronze Sponsors

Grace Outdoor Advertising
Founders Federal Credit Union
USC Educational Foundation

*as of June 18, 2026

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

First Horizon Bank
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Michelin
SouthState Bank

Bronze Sponsors

atkinslaw
First Citizens Bank
Founders Federal Credit Union
USC Educational Foundation

*as of July 28, 2025

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Grace Outdoor Advertising
First Horizon Bank
Michelin
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Prisma Health
SouthState Bank

Bronze Sponsors

atkinslaw
Chernoff Newman
First Citizens Bank
Founders Federal Credit Union
Truist

Thank you to our 2023 event sponsors for your 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
Bronze Sponsors
- atkins law
- Canal Insurance
- Chernoff Newman
- First Citizens Bank
- Founders Federal Credit Union
- SouthState Bank
- USC Board of Trustees
- USC Development Foundation
- USC Educational Foundation

Giving at South Carolina