Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE'S DAWN STALEY SIGNS NEW FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT
10.28.02 | Women's Basketball
The agreement extends through the 2006-2007 season, including the NCAA tournament.
"In just two seasons as head coach, Dawn Staley has transformed Temple women's basketball and brought the program into the local and national spotlight," said Temple President David Adamany. "Her work ethic, her dedication and her commitment to basketball, to Temple, and to the community are second to none. Dawn Staley and Temple women's basketball are clearly a winning combination, and we are thrilled that it will continue for years to come."
"I'm pleased that the administration and the athletic department have given me the opportunity to continue what we started here at Temple," said Staley. "The contract extension represents the level of commitment Temple has to building a winning tradition in women's basketball."
Staley was named Big Five Coach of the Year (2001-02) after Temple won the Philadelphia Big Five Championship and its first-ever Atlantic 10 Conference Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth, the Owls' first appearance in the "Big Dance" since 1989.
She began her storied basketball career at Dobbins Technical High School (1986-88) in North Philadelphia, where she was named USA Today's National High School Player of the year and led Dobbins to three consecutive Philadelphia Public League championships.
She was a three-time Kodak All-American while starring at the University of Virginia (1989-92), where she helped the team to a 110-21 record and four appearances in the NCAA Tournament -- three of which led to the Final Four. She holds the NCAA record for steals (454) and, among the numerous honors she garnered, was named the National Player of Year in 1991 and 1992.
After playing with professional teams in France, Italy, Brazil and Spain, Staley returned to the United States and competed in the Goodwill games and World Championships in 1994, when she was named USA basketball Female Athlete of the Year. Two years later, she guided the historic USA team that compiled a perfect 60-0 record and captured the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Staley began her U.S. playing career when she joined the Richmond Rage in 1996-97 and helped the team to the ABL finals. She moved to the WNBA and the Charlotte Sting in 1999 and was a member of the first Women's "Dream Team" of professional players that represented the United States in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney Australia.
She heads the Dawn Staley Foundation, aimed at providing positive experiences for inner-city children through after-school programs, summer leagues and fund-raising activities.
"We are fortunate to have two of the nation's premier basketball coaches in Dawn Staley and the legendary John Chaney," said Bradshaw. "Chaney is a Hall of Famer and Dawn is a future Hall of Famer. Temple is extremely proud of our great coaches."
