USC Gamecocks - The Offseason 2025

[oldude]

So I am going to wade into the statue discussion against my better judgment. A year ago my wife and I visited the Normandy battlefield. One of our stops was at the statue of Major Dick Winters on the road to Utah Beach. Major Winters, the person, appeared along with other veterans of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division throughout the Band of Brothers tv miniseries on HBO.

In one episode Winters told the story of a discussion he had with one of his men many years after the war was over. The man’s young granddaughter asked him, “Grampa, were you a hero during the war?” The man said, “No. But I served in a company of heros.”

Winters was a hero in everyone’s judgment except his own. Throughout his life, many veterans organizations asked for his permission to erect a statue in his honor. He consistently refused until he got very near the end of his life, at which point he agreed, so long as 2 conditions were met:

1. The statue had to be dedicated to all the officers and men who served on D-Day.
2. The statue could only be erected after his death, which it was 2 years after Winters passed away.

Now what does this have to do with A’ja and Dawn’s statues in Columbia, SC? I absolutely get the importance of erecting 2 statues to successful and inspirational black women in a state like SC, with all the history that entails. What I guess I don’t understand is why you would erect those statues when A’ja and Dawn are still alive and their life stories are yet to be completed.

 

[cancontent]

So I am going to wade into the statue discussion against my better judgment. A year ago my wife and I visited the Normandy battlefield. One of our stops was at the statue of Major Dick Winters on the road to Utah Beach. Major Winters the person appeared along with other veterans of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division throughout the Band of Brothers tv miniseries on HBO.

In one episode Winters told the story of a discussion he had with one of his men many years after the war was over. The man’s young granddaughter asked him, “Grampa, were you a hero during the war?” The man said, “No. But I served in a company of heros.”

Winters was a hero in everyone’s judgment except his own. Throughout his life, many veterans organizations asked for his permission to erect a statue in his honor. He consistently refused until he got very near the end of his life, at which point he agreed, so long as 2 conditions were met:

1. The statue had to be dedicated to all the officers and men who served on D-Day.
2. The statue could only be erected after his death, which it was 2 years after Winters passed away.

Now what does this have to do with A’ja and Dawn’s statues in Columbia, SC. I absolutely get the importance of erecting 2 statues to successful and inspirational black women in a state like SC, with all the history that entails. What I guess I don’t understand is why you would erect those statues when A’ja and Dawn are still alive and their life stories are yet to be completed.

The same question could be asked with respect to the statues erected like Magic Johnson's in East Lansing, Wayne Gretzy's in Edmonton, or Dwayne Wade's in Miami (although many say it's not him ).

 

[oldude]

The same question could be asked with respect to the statues erected like Magic Johnson's in East Lansing, Wayne Gretzy's in Edmonton, or Dwayne Wade's in Miami (although many say it's not him ).

Yes, if I was Magic, The Great One & D-Wade I would have poured cold water on those statues as well. But the significance of A’ja & Dawn’s statues in SC goes way beyond honoring a couple sports stars. I get it. But I don’t get the timing.

 

[visitingcock]

Yes, if I was Magic, The Great One & D-Wade I would have poured cold water on those statues as well. But the significance of A’ja & Dawn’s statues in SC goes way beyond honoring a couple sports stars. I get it. But I don’t get the timing.

I don’t get why anyone outside the University or Columbia would care?

 

[JeannoCT]

I'm a Live and Let Live kind of person. If you're not hurting anyone or it's not illegal, do what you want. I don't care if you erect statues, hang banners or whatever. Let the University and their fans decide.

 

[JstVisiting]

I didn’t hear him say “A’ja Wilson” in the comment. It’s literally just assumptions that could pertain to multiple people.

Which other people?

 

[VA Huskie]

I think the thing that you and others aren't grasping is that these monuments have greater meaning than championships. A'ja's statue is a symbol of local pride about a woman from the area who took the women's basketball program to the highest of highs. The statue of Dawn wasn't even something she wanted when the city wanted to honor her with one, but when she learned that only 5-6% of all statues are of women, and the goal of the organization behind the statue was to right that statistic, she thought it was an honor to accept the recognition and help further the legacy of female achievement. Additionally, the statue is near where they Confederate flag used to fly at the state capital so there is also a sense of poetic justice resonating from the statue of a black person being located next to that previous symbol of slavery and division.

While both statues wouldn't have happened without winning a national championship, the meaning behind both goes much deeper. I hope that helps clear things up!

Thank you. I didn’t have a full understanding of why the statues are so important to SC and it’s history.

 

[oldude]

I don’t get why anyone outside the University or Columbia would care?

Surely, I’m not the only one that gets the significance of A’ja & Dawn’s statues in Columbia, SC very near the plaques dedicated to Henry Hayne, Henrie Montieth, Robert Anderson and James Solomon? GamecockFam articulated the significance of these statues wonderfully, and it’s not just about the University or the city of Columbia.

 

[JDuro]

MBB’s Brian Stute granted injury waiver to play next season. His blood clot issue occurred after Ashlyn’s ACL so she should definitely get her year back.

 

[Topdawg]

Congratulations to Dawn and her accomplishments! The community chose to honor her with a statue. It is their expression of respect and appreciation and should be honored. I hope the statue inspires young girls (and guys) to achieve great things in life and serve the community.

 

[triaddukefan]

So, the multiple NCAA titles, SEC regular season and tournament titles, 2020 Olympic championship, and National COY awards don't exist?

Interesting.

Clearly, Columbia wanted to erect a statue for a future HOF COACH who ALSO reached HOF status as a PLAYER. Her impact on women's basketball, as both a COACH and a PLAYER, cannot be understated. When taking into consideration her achievements as a COACH and a PLAYER, you can see why Columbia did what they did.

You left off being a part of an iconic rap group . Staley has done it all

"Shake your thang, ow
Do what you wanna do
I can't tell you how to catch a groove "

 

[WBBTakeover]

You left off being a part of an iconic rap group . Staley has done it all

View attachment 109211

"Shake your thang, ow
Do what you wanna do
I can't tell you how to catch a groove "

OMG you're taking me back!

But--I don't see "Shoop" or "Whatta Man".

 

[JDuro]

Should have been obvious that ”Push It” was about a fast break offensive attack approach. Unfortunately somehow the public made it sexual and the song took on a whole unintended life. Poor Dawn.

 

[JDuro]

 

[JDuro]

Former Gamecocks MBB Justin McKie, son of legend B.J., is among the rotation of refs for 3x3. He’s refereeing first game of the night between JMU/SDSU.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Sigh! Kiah Stokes has the girls (A'ja and Tiff) wearing UConn garb.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

So I am going to wade into the statue discussion against my better judgment. A year ago my wife and I visited the Normandy battlefield. One of our stops was at the statue of Major Dick Winters on the road to Utah Beach. Major Winters, the person, appeared along with other veterans of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division throughout the Band of Brothers tv miniseries on HBO.

In one episode Winters told the story of a discussion he had with one of his men many years after the war was over. The man’s young granddaughter asked him, “Grampa, were you a hero during the war?” The man said, “No. But I served in a company of heros.”

Winters was a hero in everyone’s judgment except his own. Throughout his life, many veterans organizations asked for his permission to erect a statue in his honor. He consistently refused until he got very near the end of his life, at which point he agreed, so long as 2 conditions were met:

1. The statue had to be dedicated to all the officers and men who served on D-Day.
2. The statue could only be erected after his death, which it was 2 years after Winters passed away.

Now what does this have to do with A’ja and Dawn’s statues in Columbia, SC? I absolutely get the importance of erecting 2 statues to successful and inspirational black women in a state like SC, with all the history that entails. What I guess I don’t understand is why you would erect those statues when A’ja and Dawn are still alive and their life stories are yet to be completed.

You probably should have left it alone.

Dick Winters has nothing to do with it.

I think you should probably find his descendants and write them an apology letter for dragging him into this for no reason.

 

[oldude]

You probably should have left it alone.

Dick Winters has nothing to do with it.

I think you should probably find his descendants and write them an apology letter for dragging him into this for no reason.

I used Major Winters story as an analogy that I feel is relevant. I also was respectful of the reason behind SC decision to erect statues dedicated to Aja & Dawn. I simply raised a question of timing while Aja & Dawn continue to write their own respective stories. You seem to miss all of that. So let’s let it go.

 

[HuskyNan]

I see A’ja is scarred for life by the comments.

Geno recruited her hard. I’m sure they have a friendly relationship

 

[cancontent]

I see A’ja is scarred for life by the comments.

Geno recruited her hard. I’m sure they have a friendly relationship

It's okay, she still has the lead when it comes to wins in this category.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

So I am going to wade into the statue discussion against my better judgment. A year ago my wife and I visited the Normandy battlefield. One of our stops was at the statue of Major Dick Winters on the road to Utah Beach. Major Winters, the person, appeared along with other veterans of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division throughout the Band of Brothers tv miniseries on HBO.

In one episode Winters told the story of a discussion he had with one of his men many years after the war was over. The man’s young granddaughter asked him, “Grampa, were you a hero during the war?” The man said, “No. But I served in a company of heros.”

Winters was a hero in everyone’s judgment except his own. Throughout his life, many veterans organizations asked for his permission to erect a statue in his honor. He consistently refused until he got very near the end of his life, at which point he agreed, so long as 2 conditions were met:

1. The statue had to be dedicated to all the officers and men who served on D-Day.
2. The statue could only be erected after his death, which it was 2 years after Winters passed away.

Now what does this have to do with A’ja and Dawn’s statues in Columbia, SC? I absolutely get the importance of erecting 2 statues to successful and inspirational black women in a state like SC, with all the history that entails. What I guess I don’t understand is why you would erect those statues when A’ja and Dawn are still alive and their life stories are yet to be completed.

I think you answered your own question in your acknowledgement of the history of SC.

 

[jumpstart]

I'm a Live and Let Live kind of person. If you're not hurting anyone or it's not illegal, do what you want. I don't care if you erect statues, hang banners or whatever. Let the University and their fans decide.

Exactly. UCONN for example could erect a statue for each player that was the MVP for every national title they won, and I wouldn't have given it a second thought. I would have actually though.. "wow...that's a special place for WBB" and it would seem so to every recruit also. The same with Geno...geez...tell me he doesn't deserve a statue? He would accept it, I am sure. Aja got hers for multiple reasons and she is still a strong advocate for little girls and little black girls in particular. Her book was a best seller..... . It's not all about basketball. It's about who she is.... where she is from...and what she accomplished. The same thing with Dawn Staley. They rose above the chaos and the prejudices that still are solidly in place today. It's a shame that even a good gesture is called out in such a manner. We could do better as a society but about 50% of the population is too cruel to do that. They would rather sit back and criticize than to say...Wow...what a nice gesture". The truth of who we are always boils to the top.

 

[Creature]

I think he was making a joke and it was fine. I’m not surprised Staley didn’t take it as a joke.

That wasn't a joke. Word to the wise.

 

[Creature]

With Kneepkins going to UCLA. Anybody hear any rumors about any other players we may target in the portal.

 

[JDuro]

With Kneepkins going to UCLA. Anybody hear any rumors about any other players we may target in the portal.

I haven’t. Anybody know the rumors of who is recruiting Laila Phelia? I found her highlight package from a couple seasons ago at UM to be an entertaining watch.