It’s been a whirlwind few days for basketball legend Dawn Staley, who spent the weekend with Nike in New York and then arrived at The White House on Tuesday for a much-anticipated visit with President Joe Biden.
On Saturday, at Nike’s “The Look of Victory” event during New York Fashion Week, the University of South Carolina coach said had been anticipating her championship team’s visit with Biden for a long time. “I just want to show my appreciation for him, his leadership and his ability to lead through some of the hardest times of our existence,” she told FN.
Staley, who attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last month, made a call to action to people across the country: “Get out and vote. Do your research on both candidates and figure out what’s best for you. What’s best for me is Kamala [Harris]!”
The coach also opened up about her experience at the Paris Olympics this summer. There was one particular athlete meeting that was a true highlight.
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“I’m usually pretty reserved, but I was in another country, and I found myself just letting my shyness go to the side. The highlight was meeting Tom Brady. He was the greatest guy. I made the cardinal sin of looking him in his eye,” she joked. “What a beautiful man!”
At the Nike event, Staley was feted with a “mystical medallion” created by fashion designers Dynasty and Soull Ogun of L’Enchanteur, which sat beside a display of 70 glittering medals and trophies.
The coach posed with fellow Swoosh athletes, including Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, University of Connecticut phenom Paige Bueckers and high school hoops star Jerzy Robinson as well as Tyla, the fast-rising South African singer.
Staley — who attended the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces matchup with Nike on Sunday — reflected on the surge in women’s sports viewership. “We’re busting through the seams and we’re not going to be held back. We fight for space and to have our voices heard,” she said.
In between getting ready for another big season in South Carolina and her summer travels, Staley also found time to organize her shoe archive.
“I just finished this project in my closet. I got a mini printer, and took pictures of each and every shoe I have, printed them out and put them on the boxes. I have over 250 pairs!”
