After a 38 year career, Pat Summitt stepped down this week as head coach of the Tennessee Vols women's basketball team. The reason is that she is facing the battle of dealing with early-onset dementia or Alzheimers.
She publicly announced the diagnosis a little over eight months ago just as the season was getting underway. As with most things in her life, she has handled this with dignity, humility, courage and grace.
Over her 38 years as head coach at Tennessee her record includes:
- Her first win was January 10, 1975 in her second game as head coach at the age of 21.
- A 1,098 - 208 win/loss record -- the only college coach, man or woman, to ever have more than 1,000 wins.
- Eight national championship titles; 16 Southeastern Conference titles
- In 1984 she led the US Olympic team to a gold medal.
- During her time, the Tennessee teams never failed to play in the NCAA tournament; never received a seeding lower than number 5; reached the final four 18 times.
- In all 38 years, there has never been a hint of impropriety in her program.
- Most important, almost everyone of her players have graduated.
Some say John Wooden of UCLA was the greatest men's coach and I would not argue with that. Pat's record exceeds his. You can certainly make a case she is the greatest basketball coach of all time.
She has been an inspiration to thousands of young women, changing their lives for the better - all the time stepping back and letting her teams have the glory.
Pat, I wish you God's blessings on this next challenge in your life. You have been an inspiration to me.
3 comments:
Heroes are so few-mostly they are people few know-but she is a special lady.
Lord we pray for like measures of dignity, humility, courage and grace. Bless her as she travels into unknown territroy. Guide her in all things, we pray.
Love this tribute. I agree, she sounds like an amazing woman and terrific coach.
I pray for the best for her.
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