Pat Summitt, the legendary women’s basketball coach at the University of Tennessee passed away on Tuesday at the age of 64.
Summitt won the most games in NCAA history, male or female. Summitt had an overall coaching record of 1,098-241 which is an .841 winning percentage. Summitt retired in 2012 due to complications from early on set dementia, Alzheimers type that she announced she had in 2011.
Among her accomplishments Summitt helped lead her Volunteer teams to eight National Championships, 16 SEC titles and 16 SEC Tournament Championships. She was also an eight time SEC coach of the year and seven time NCAA coach of the year. Also during her storied career she was named as the Naismith Coach of the 20th century and also in 2012 was given a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Her son Tylor Summitt released a statement upon his mothers passing, “Since 2011, my mother has faced her toughest opponent, early on set dementia, ‘Alzheimers Type’, and did so with bravely fierce determination just as she did with every opponent she ever faced. Even though it’s incredibly difficult to come to terms that she is no longer with us, we can all find peace in knowing she no longer carries the heavy burden of this disease”.
According to her son the family will hold a private funeral in Middle Tennessee and asks that the familys privacy be respected. A Celebration of Life service honoring Summitt will be open to the public at 7 p.m. July 14th at Thompson-Boling Arena on the University of Tennessee campus.
It is easy for us to say that this passing will no doubt effect many people throughout the basketball world. Summitts hardwork, leadership and role model ability was second to none.
