Former UVa Great Dawn Staley To Be Inducted Into Virginia Sports Hall Of Fame

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Portsmouth, Va. Dawn Staley, a three-time All-American guard for Virginia from 1989-1992, will be inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2008, the organization has announced.

Staley, a Philadelphia native, came to the University of Virginia women’s basketball program in 1989. During her time as a Cavalier, she won the ACC Rookie of the Year Award and racked up three Kodak All-American honors, two National Player of the Year awards, the Honda-Broderick Cup (1991), and helped UVa to three Final Four appearances.

Staley has earned 10 gold medals and one bronze in international competition, including three Olympic gold medals (1996, 2000, 2004). She began play in the WNBA in 1999, making five All-Star Game appearances, as well as earning her way onto the WNBA All-Decade team.

Staley has coached Temple University’s women’s basketball team since 2000-01, and was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2005.

In addition to Staley, the Class of 2008 includes: John Hilton, football standout at the University of Richmond and in the NFL; Ricky Hunley, 1997 College Football Hall of Fame inductee; Betty Jaynes, 2000 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee; Jerome Kersey of Longwood University and Portland Trailblazers basketball; Kelli James Precourt, a field hockey Olympian and Bob Rathbun, the TV voice of the Atlanta Hawks.

“The accomplishments of this class are astounding,” says Hall of Fame President Eddie Webb. “Having earned national attention in both men’s and women’s sports, these seven are great examples of Virginia’s reputation for athletic excellence.”

The 37th annual induction ceremony will take place on April 26 at the Renaissance Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center in Portsmouth, Va.