Honoring and commending Dawn Staley, Coach of the Temple Women's Basketball Team, for winning a gold medal in the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics.

WHEREAS, Dawn Staley was born and raised in North Philadelphia, near the intersection of 25th and Diamond Streets; and

WHEREAS, Staley is a graduate of Dobbins High School and the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Staley was chosen to run the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps during the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay at Philadelphia’s torch celebration; and

WHEREAS, A seven-story portrait of Staley was done on the side of a building at Eighth and Market Streets; and

WHEREAS, She has devoted considerable time to the Dawn Staley Foundation, which helps youth succeed in their dreams and aspirations by sponsoring programs that focus on academics and athletics; and

WHEREAS, Staley ranked 3rd in the WNBA in Assists Per Game (5.9), Ranked 6th in the WNBA in Free-Throw Percentage (.878), Ranked 10th in the WNBA in Minutes Per Game (34.3); and

WHEREAS, Staley was the co-captain of the U.S. National Team participating in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia; and

WHEREAS, Staley averaged 14.0 ppg, 7.2 apg and 3.5 rpg in 1996-97 and 1997-98 for the Philadelphia Rage of the ABL and was a two-time ABL All-Star (1997, 1998); and

WHEREAS, Staley was a member of the 1996 USA Women's Olympic Team that won the gold medal at the Atlanta Games

WHEREAS, Staley was a member of the undefeated 1996 USA Basketball Women's National Team that played 52 games around the world to prepare for the Olympics; and

WHEREAS, Staley was named the 1994 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Staley was a three-time Kodak All-American at the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Staley was recently named to be the head coach of the Temple Women’s Basketball Team; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and commend Dawn Staley, Coach Of The Temple Women’s Basketball Team, for winning a Gold Medal in the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution shall be presented to Dawn Staley, evidencing the sincere sentiments and high esteem of this legislative body.

End