Temple University Athletics
DAWN STALEY HONORED AS 2004 USA BASKETBALL FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
12.30.04 | Women's Basketball
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO--Three-time Olympic gold medalist, member of the WNBA's Charlotte Sting and head coach of the Temple women's basketball team Dawn Staley was named today by USA Basketball as its 2004 Female Athlete of the Year. Staley, the Olympic team captain who was also honored as the U.S. Olympic Team flag bearer for the 2004 Summer Games' Opening Ceremony, helped lead the 2004 U.S. Women's Basketball Team to its third consecutive gold medal in Athens.
"This year has been incredible for me," said Staley. "To win the Female Athlete of the Year Award from USA Basketball is special for me because USA Basketball has been such a great part of my life. I don't play to get awards like this, but certainly someone saw my contributions as something special. I am truly honored."
Staley will be honored by the
In capturing her second Athlete of the Year honor after first earning it a decade ago, Staley is not only eligible for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Female Athlete of the Year Award to be announced by the USOC at a later date, but she also enters into impressive company of previous multiple USA Basketball honorees. Teresa Edwards, Lisa Leslie, Katrina McClain and Cheryl Miller have all garnered the distinction at least twice.
Capping off an illustrious international basketball career with her third Olympic gold medal, Staley first competed for USA Basketball as a member of the 1989 USA Junior World Championship Team and through the years USA teams with Staley on the roster have posted an amazing 197-10 record. She has been a key in numerous successes for her country and has amassed a total of 10 gold medals and one bronze on the world stage.
At the 2004 Olympics, Staley passed off for a team best 23 assists, while averaging 4.1 ppg. A true floor general, Staley ran the
"I'm really proud for Dawn," said Van Chancellor, who coached Staley at the 2004 Olympics and the 2003 FIBA World Championship. "Sometimes when you play the point guard position on a basketball team, you don't get the proper recognition. But there's no doubt, in the gold medal game if she hadn't stepped up and made some big time baskets, I don't know if we would have won the gold medal. I don't know of anyone who is more deserving than she is."
"It's great to have your Olympic Coach say those things about you," said Staley. "But I was going to do everything I could to ensure our success. Whether that was scoring, passing or talking and cheering, I was going to do my part."
Some of her international highlights include being a member of the historic 1995-96 USA Basketball Women's National Team that rolled up a 60-0 record, captured the 1996 Olympic gold medal and was named the 1996 USA Basketball and USOC Team of the Year. She was named the 1994 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year and earned 1994 Goodwill Games MVP honors after leading the
Now her in fifth season as the head coach of the Temple women's basketball team, Staley has amassed a 80-50 record and led the Owls to two Atlantic 10 titles, two NCAA Tournament appearances and one WNIT berth. A two-time Philadelphia Big 5 Coach of the Year, Staley earned the 2004 A-10 Coach of the Year Award. The Owls are 6-3 thus far in the 2004-05 season.
