Initially voiced criticism of Hickman in a Post and Courier article, and actually called for her to be replaced, for what Staley perceived to be Hickman's inadequacies when it comes to diversity and inclusion.
“Do I think she’s doing a great job? Yes,” Staley told The State. “Do I think she’s versed in diversity and inclusion? No. And I expressed that to her as well. We need somebody else who is versed in it to take our university and our athletic department to another level.”
Later Tweeted an apology and somewhat of a retraction.
"Let me say this, I apologize to Maria Hickman for speaking out of line for all the things she’s doing and have done to advance black coaches, black student athletes including all student athletes and black administrators at @UofSC. She’s done more than I was privy to know."
https://www.postandcourier.com/spor...cle_92da5458-c9f3-11ea-8376-efcc19ef2a81.html
I'm pretty surprised by this. Dawn's been around a long time and is quite savvy, so I'm surprised she aired her grievance publicly instead of just handling it in-house. She says in her Tweet that Hickman has actually done more for diversity and inclusion that Dawn was aware. With her experience, I'm surprised she didn't get all the facts first.
“Do I think she’s doing a great job? Yes,” Staley told The State. “Do I think she’s versed in diversity and inclusion? No. And I expressed that to her as well. We need somebody else who is versed in it to take our university and our athletic department to another level.”
Later Tweeted an apology and somewhat of a retraction.
"Let me say this, I apologize to Maria Hickman for speaking out of line for all the things she’s doing and have done to advance black coaches, black student athletes including all student athletes and black administrators at @UofSC. She’s done more than I was privy to know."
https://www.postandcourier.com/spor...cle_92da5458-c9f3-11ea-8376-efcc19ef2a81.html
I'm pretty surprised by this. Dawn's been around a long time and is quite savvy, so I'm surprised she aired her grievance publicly instead of just handling it in-house. She says in her Tweet that Hickman has actually done more for diversity and inclusion that Dawn was aware. With her experience, I'm surprised she didn't get all the facts first.