Pat Summitt, the winningest coach in men’s and women’s college basketball history has passed away this morning. After a five year battle with dementia, Summit won eight national titles and recorded 1100 victories in 38 seasons at the University of Tennessee. Summitt was also voted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Summitt was an icon in the basketball world and in the state of Tennessee. She is the woman who put the University of Tennessee Woman’s basketball program on the map.
WATCH: Summitt, Legendary Women’s Basketball Coach, Dies at 64
Under her, the program would flourish. She helped it succeed in not only in winning championships, but also in teaching players learn how to play the sport of basketball and ultimately, go on to professional careers. Summitt influenced players like Los Angeles Sparks Forward, Candace Parker, Dallas Wings Forward Glory Johnson, and countless others.
Personally, it was a joy watching Summitt coach the game of basketball. I remember sitting in front of the television yelling at the screen, while watching the University of Tennessee vs. the University of Connecticut. It was crazy to watch two titans of the game go at it. Seeing Summitt’s passion for the game of basketball and willingness to win really helped me gain an interest in women’s basketball.
As a child, I wanted to know who was this female coach with the steel gaze? Seeing this woman and the impact she had on the University of Tennessee really speaks to how great of a coach and a person she was.
Coach Summitt helped this future sports journalist and broadcaster really developed a passion for the sport of basketball…
The sport of basketball has lost a great ambassador today. Summitt will truly be missed. But even in death, it’s evident that she still has a big impact on the sports world and in the sport of basketball. Rest in Peace Ms. Summit.
Discipline helps you finish a job, and finishing is what separates excellent work from average work.
—@patsummitt pic.twitter.com/8EPCpeqZK4
— Vala Afshar (@ValaAfshar) June 28, 2016
Pat Summitt could inspire anyone to push themselves toward greatness.
Rest in peace, Coach. https://t.co/gsFg4yBTvq pic.twitter.com/1SSGDo6tXh
— Alex McDaniel (@AlexMcDaniel) June 28, 2016
Rest in Peace to the Legend herself Pat Summitt. An inspiration to many and one of the greatest coaches of All-Time pic.twitter.com/eXAAsdrZ4q
— Maurice Hurst Jr (@BigPappi73) June 28, 2016
And she did …until the very end. RIP Pat Summitt pic.twitter.com/VqhB8GmF6X
— Angie Goff (@OhMyGOFF) June 28, 2016
Butch Jones on Pat Summitt: pic.twitter.com/pCX5H1q1CF
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) June 28, 2016
We have lost one of the greatest Tennesseans of all time. My full statement on Pat Summitt: https://t.co/GuynJE23RP pic.twitter.com/nmlxtbj01M
— Gov. Bill Haslam (@BillHaslam) June 28, 2016
Former Tennessee HC Pat Summitt, the winningest coach in Division 1 CBB history, has died at 64 pic.twitter.com/dFGNFH1LAR
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 28, 2016
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