By: Jaelyn Aleise, contributing intern (@_JaeAleise_) The legendary Tennessee women’s basketball coach, Pat Summitt, died today June 28th at the age of 64. Her son, Tyler Summitt, announced his mother’s passing almost five years after she announced that she had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, Alzheimer’s type. Pat Summitt started her legendary 38-year run as Head Coach of the Lady Vols in 1974, leading them to eight national championships and 32 SEC championships. She was also a head coach of the gold-winning 1984 women’s national team, was named NCAA coach of the year seven times, and also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2012. Not only was Summitt an outstanding coach, but also “a teacher, a role-model, a co-worker, and a friend,” according to students and staff at The University of Tennessee. “She’s made a huge impact on women’s basketball. And she would be more excited and more proud in making an impact on an individual,” said three-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker. “Whenever I was going through things at Tennessee, she would open her door, and I’d come in and sit down.” Although Parker was the star on Tennessee’s 2007 and 2008 national championship teams, she did not treat her any different than anyone else on & off the team. “No matter who needs her — from the last person on the bench to a manager to whoever — she knew everybody by name and treated them as if they were her own,” said Parker. Pat Summitt is one of the most impactful coaches in college history and encouraged much growth in women’s basketball. She was loved by all and highly respected and her legacy continues to live on. Summitt’s son, Tyler Summitt, released a statement this morning that reads: “It is with tremendous sadness that I announce the passing of my mother, Patricia Sue Head Summitt. She died peacefully this morning at Sherrill Hill Senior Living in Knoxville surrounded by those who loved her most. Since 2011, my mother has battled her toughest opponent, early onset dementia, ‘Alzheimer’s Type,’ and she 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. For 64 years, my mother first built her life upon a strong relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her foundation was also built upon love of her family and of her players, and love of the fundamentals of hard work which reflected her philosophy that ‘you win in life with people’. She was the fourth of five children – Tommy, Charles, Kenneth and Linda – born to Richard and Hazel Head on June 14, 1952, in Clarksville, Tenn. Her tireless work ethic and her love of the game of basketball were created during the time she spent growing up on the family farm. She’ll be remembered as the all-time winningest D-1 basketball coach in NCAA history, but she was more than a coach to so many – she was a hero and a mentor, especially to me, her family, her friends, her Tennessee Lady Volunteer staff and the 161 Lady Vol student-athletes she coached during her 38-year tenure. We will all miss her immensely. A private service and burial will be held for my mother in Middle Tennessee. I ask that you respect the privacy of that time. We are in the process of finalizing the details of a public celebration of her life which will take place in one of her favorite places, Thompson-Boling Arena. Once those details are finalized, we will share them with you. Thank you.” An obituary published on the The University of Tennessee’s website says a public memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 14th.
