South Carolina's Dawn Staley one of four coaches included in Nike's Athlete Think Tank 3.0
COLUMBIA — The initiative from Nike, Athlete Think Tank, has expanded to include elite coaches, including South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley.
The Nike Athlete Think Tank 3.0 cohort added four coaches and 10 new female athletes, the company announced Thursday. Since the first cohort in 2022, the goal has been to provide financial support for female athletes to overcome barriers and to collaborate ideas on how there can be a more inclusive environment in women's sports.
Per Forbes, the first group was given a $1.3 million grant, designed to support and increase participation in women's sports.
"Nike Athlete Think Tank is made up of elite women athletes from around the world. Together, we are working to turn their vision for a more equitable future of sport into a reality," Nike Women posted on its Instagram account Thursday afternoon. "We’re excited to welcome our third cohort of Athlete Think Tank, including both elite women athletes, and, for the first time, coaches."
Staley commented on the post, replying "I CAN’T WAIT FOR THIS ONE! Inspiration Aspiration Influence all await!"
The other coaches involved are Emma Hayes, the coach of the US women's national soccer team, Jenny Lang Ping, the former coach of the Chinese women's national volleyball team and Diljeet Taylor, BYU's cross country coach.
The second cohort, which was announced on May 31, 2023, explained "through candid conversations at Nike’s World Headquarters and at sporting events across the globe, Athlete Think Tank members have shared insights that will help inform how Nike creates innovative products, meaningful experiences and supportive communities for women and girls," according to a press release from Nike.
Nike is collaborating with a foundation and the profit earned will go to a charity of choice for Nike Athlete Think Tank members. Think Tank 2.0 worked with Charities Aid Foundation America but it has not yet been specified which foundation is part of Think Tank 3.0.
DAWN STALEY ON WNBA: South Carolina's Dawn Staley weighs in on WNBA commentary after Caitlin Clark foul, praises A'ja Wilson
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina's Dawn Staley involved in Nike's Athlete Think Tank 3.0
