Never Too Far: Boldly Challenging the Status Quo

Sanders and Staley: Sports Icons Boldly Challenging the Status Quo

Elite Black athletes have set the standard in many American sports. One of the most decorated and vocal has been Deion “Prime Time” Sanders, former Florida State University (FSU) football player and the new head coach at the University of Colorado. The media and fan scrutiny around his resignation from Jackson State University (JSU) reminds me of the journey of another great Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) star, Dawn Staley. Staley is a former University of Virginia women’s basketball player and current head coach at the University of South Carolina. Bold, visionary, and a lightning rod for racists, haters, and traditionalists, Sanders and Staley are beloved by many because they move to the “beat of their own drum” and win unapologetically.

How great of an athlete was Sanders? Born and raised in Florida, Prime Time is one of those once in a generation talent. An outstanding competitor, Sanders excelled at baseball, football, and track and field as a youngster and managed to almost become the first to play in games of two major American professional sports on the same day. In 1992, Sanders was on the field as a member of the Atlanta Falcons and later that day joined his Atlanta Braves team for a playoff game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He didn’t enter that baseball game but to think he could battle against the very best in their respective sports is remarkable. Prime Time brings that same confidence and intentionality to college football as a leader of young men.

Staley, a cherished Philadelphian, challenged both girls and boys growing up as an “undersized giant” on the hardcourt. A fierce competitor with sharp ball-handling and shooting skills, Staley controlled the game with her acuity and intense drive to win. Her ability to make her teammates better is best demonstrated not only by her leadership as a point guard on national teams but her selection by the 2004 Olympic Games captains to represent the nation as the United States of America’s flag bearer.

Sharing the same initials, Sanders and Staley seemingly have parallel sport destinies. As quinquagenarians, they have experienced the highs and lows of the business of sport as they made their mark in sports.

As collegiate All-Americans, Sanders and Staley enjoyed the prominence of playing at NCAA Division I universities while further developing and perfecting their game under Hall of Fame coaches Bobby Bowden and Debbie Ryan respectively. Although Sanders did not play under the governance of ACC sports as the Seminoles did not join the conference until 1991, the league now gains the upside of every promotion related to his amazing record-breaking career.

Sanders and Staley have paid their dues. Many people fail to remember or respect the road they traveled to sit in their current spotlight. Although Staley was courted by Virginia in 2008 to return as its head coach, there was very little interest in her when she first transitioned to coaching. After coaching professionally, she accepted a position in her hometown at Temple University, which had limited resources. Sanders, the man who believes in and encourages ownership, chose to begin learning the trade primarily by working with own sons, and middle and high schoolers with his training company. Certainly, his fame opened many doors, but it wasn’t until 2020, when he fearlessly accepted the opportunity to build a champion at historically Black college, JSU, that the media began to monitor his every move. Guts to glory.

Virginia has regrets. Will FSU eventually have the same pang of conscience? If I had a quarter for the times I have been asked over the years about Staley and her decision to select South Carolina in 2008 (and whether we could ever get her to leave the Gamecocks to come back home), I would definitely have a well-funded Caribbean vacation! Wahoo nation loves Dawn and monitors and cheers for her success. However, the “ship has sailed” and the rabid South Carolina fans and administration have made her their “Queen of the Court.” She lacks for very little, if anything, in terms of program needs and the numbers – championships and attendance – show it. Staley is appreciated and fully engaged in university and community activities beyond basketball. FSU’s situation is thornier as Sander’s DI suitors this past season had openings whereas the Seminoles already have a coach in only his third season demonstrating promise as a winner. Deion is built for leadership and not someone’s coordinator in college football. I am sure it’s just really uncomfortable for the university community and fans to have arguably the best athlete alum creating a buzz and winning with another program.

Dawn and Deion are very Black. They know who they are and do not back down to naysayers or critics. Our rich culture, style, and swag is present in how these charismatic coaches recruit, engage with media, and nurture their university communities. Staley, as a self-described introvert, bets on herself and her support team. She loves to let her game and coaching speak for itself. However, with the ongoing inequitable practices that exist in women’s college sports coupled with her now veteran coach status, she has valiantly led the way in publicly advocating for reform. Staley does not hesitate to speak her truth drawing in a diverse following that appreciates her care and insights on what is often overlooked or dismissed. She has spoken out on subjects such as pay equity, Brittney Griner’s imprisonment, and racial inequity. Similar to NBA star LeBron James, Staley’s effort off the court to share her justice-minded spirit has made her vulnerable and esteemed.

Sanders’ panache is loud and arguably, even more effective in his determination to make a difference in college sports. His brazen proclamations and presence speak to both young and old. Never shy to hold the microphone, Prime Time succeeded in elevating the Southwestern Athletic Conference to the almost daily national sports media conversations. Many White people across the country were introduced to the HBCU experience, its college locations, and academic achievements because of Sanders’ repeated pleas for more attention, resources, and claps for JSU. One of his greatest accomplishments was to win with such regularity that ESPN College GameDay made its second only trip to an HBCU by visiting JSU and captivating ~ 2.3 million viewers! (The premiere sports media company made a stop at NC A&T University in 2008.) Sanders motivated the Tigers community to think about being greater and to step into a new brand of success. He is a very passionate human with a deep sense of purpose and competitive fire. I view his decision to leave JSU as inevitable and smart. Sanders owes no one in Mississippi anything. Nothing.

Learning under icons Staley and Sanders is like finding the Holy Grail for most Black elite recruits. Are there any Black parents and guardians that would not want their children to be mentored and guided by former players who are considered the “best of the best”? If an offer is made by Sanders or Staley, the recruiting process is seemingly then simplified to identifying which parts of the university that do not align with the athlete’s goals. That is, other than reviewing the academic offering and the state of support for the campus Black community – it’s “where do I sign, Coach?” The Staley Effect has completely changed the pecking order of the Southeastern Conference women’s basketball by providing a nurturing environment for Black talent. The Gamecocks are now the team to beat due to her ability to offer an opportunity to compete for national championships while creating a family atmosphere of loyalty. Like many Black mothers, she is stern and protective of her players when they need it most.

I’m betting Sanders will do the same in Boulder. While Staley can be described as a “quiet storm,” Prime Time is loud in his declarations of how his teams will win and dominate. In his first meeting with the current players, he confidently remarked, “Not to compete, but to win. Not to show up, but to show out. Not to be amongst the rest, but to be the best. I’m coming. I’m flat-out coming.” This self-assurance is nothing new for Sanders as he pledged to his family and friends since his youth that he would triumph in his endeavors.

What is particularly noteworthy is how Sanders constantly uses his massive platform to share his faith and love of Black people to attract colleagues and athletes to join his team. How many other Black coaches, college or professional, speak of the beauty and brilliance of being African-American to mainstream America? To embrace our culture. To create and bask in Black love and Black joy. To never forget our ancestors, respect elders and education, and the importance of voting. There is little doubt Prime Time will navigate the historically White campus and community by befriending all people with his charm and magnetism. Sanders is authentic; he will have fun in his journey. Coach Prime will clap, dance, rap, preach, and celebrate the good times. He will also cry, apologize, and “take the heat and arrows” when things don’t work out. Sanders will not frown upon his Black players when they consider joining a Black fraternity and will encourage them to date Black coeds and support Black-owned businesses. Players of all ethnicities will learn through his lens that Blackness is good for the nation.

Pay attention, America. Sanders and Staley are opening doors for other Black coaches who see their brand of creativity, ability to recruit, manage the program and the media, as inspiration to not quit. In an industry that struggles mightily with Black representation in administration and coaching, Staley stands out. Sanders now joins the other Black coaches to do the same. These highly-recognizable professionals desire opportunities for Black youth to develop and mature in an atmosphere whereby they are not the only person of color in the room or on the team. Staley, now in her 15th season, still strives for greatness and more trophies for her Gamecock program. Sanders, who will enter his first season after the Celebration Bowl, has not wasted any time designing plans and making pitches to coaches to help lead the Buffaloes to the top of the Pacific-12 conference.

Perhaps Sanders and Staley will check in on one another as they continue to change the landscape of big-time college sports.  The parallels between the journeys of these treasured sport stars provides a wonderful model of leveraging athlete prowess to coaching success. You are now on the clock, Prime Time. Not surprisingly, we are all watching.

(featured image via Associated Press) 

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“Never Too Far” contains perspectives and insights from an inquisitive and engaged Orange County transplant from Philly. Deborah Stroman is an entrepreneur and UNC leadership professor who has seen too much and not enough, and thus continues to question and explore the thoughts and actions of humankind.

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