The world of college sports is a male dominated arena, rarely allowing women to rise to the levels of elite coaching or management. Pat Summit was an exception, a shining example of talent over gender, as she coached the University of Tennessee women’s basketball program for nearly 40 years. Pat stepped down as head coach in 2011 after being diagnosed with dementia, receiving critical treatment and hundreds of visits from former players, many having played in the WNBA or have gone on to be wonderful citizens.
Pat Summitt ran out of time today as she succumbed to her illness, passing away in Knoxville at the age of 64.
Pat earned 1,098 wins as the head coach of the Lady Vols, winning eight national championships. Pat Summitt was named the Naismith Basketball Coach of the Century in 2000 and the Sporting News placed her 11th on its list of the 50 Greatest Coaches of All Time in all sports. She’s the only woman on that list.
In her entire coaching career at the University of Tennessee, she never had a losing season. In what may be her greatest accomplishment, Pat Summitt was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. She also received the Arthur Ashe Award at the 2012 ESPY Awards.
Pat Summitt, one of the greatest coaches in the sport of college basketball, regardless of gender, dead at the age of 64.
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