A steady stream of Lady Vols fans and well-wishers filed past Pat Summitt Plaza on the University of Tennessee campus Tuesday to pay tribute to the legendary women's basketball coach. Summitt died Tuesday morning, following a four-year battle with early -onset dementia, Alzheimer's type.
Talmon Larmee of Knoxville brought his two young daughters to place flowers at the base of the 8 1/2 foot bronze statue of Summitt that stands guard over the plaza. "Pat Summitt is just an iconic figure around these parts, Larmee said, "and I wanted my kids to commemorate the greatness of this woman"
Though some of the fans on-hand wanted to talk about her NCAA Division-1 record 1098 victories or her eight national championships, most wanted to discuss Summitt's character on and off the court.
"I guess basketball isn't the first thing that comes to mind," said Kim Cupp of Caryville. "It's integrity, the way she lived her life, just an inspiration to all."
Alyse Gheen of Knoxville has been going to Lady Vols games since she was a baby. "It's interesting growing up and watching her and the many lives that she touched. She's been a big part of this town and the state for 40 years. You can't talk about Tennessee without talking about her."
"Numbers go away," said Cupp. "but the legacy she has and the way she coached and touched lives, that lasts forever."
During her 38-year career as head coach of the Lady Vols women's basketball team, Pat Summitt won 1098 times. That's more than any other NCAA Division 1 coach in history. Eight of those wins came in national championship games.
But for Pat Summitt, the wins were only part of the legacy. The young women she coached, shouted at, loved and mentored are constant reminders of the heart at the center of the Lady Vols dynasty.
As her health declined dramatically in recent days, many of those players took the journey to Knoxville to be by her side.
"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," her son Tyler Summitt said in a statement released Tuesday morning. "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."
Summitt was diagnosed with the condition in 2011, three years after winning her last national championship. She continued to coach in 2012, but stepped down after that season.
After her retirement, she became a visible spokeswoman, fundraiser and advocate for Alzheimer's research.
Born to the late Richard and Hazel Albright Head on June 14, 1952, Patricia Sue Head Summitt was the fourth of five children. Her tireless work ethic was developed on the family's dairy farm in Henrietta, Tenn. It was there that she learned the game of basketball, working hard to keep up with her three older brothers.
After graduating from Cheatham County High School in Ashland City, she went on to the University of Tennessee-Martin, earning a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1974 and leading the women’s basketball team to two national championship tournaments. Her ability to be a leader on the basketball court was evident, and shortly after graduating, she accepted a position at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville as the head coach of the women’s basketball team – as a 22-year old. She continued to coach the Lady Vols for nearly four decades, establishing a reputation as a tough, but loving coach and mentor.
Pat Summitt's players never knew what it was like to have a losing season. They won a total of eight national championships (1987, 1989 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2007 and 2008). They played in the NCAA tournament an unprecedented 31 consecutive times and made it to the final four 18 times. They won 84% of the games they played, with nearly half coming against ranked opponents. She also coached the USA Women's Basketball Team to Olympic gold in 1984.
Pat Summitt is survived by her mother, Hazel Albright Head; her son Ross "Tyler" Summitt (AnDe); sister, Linda; brothers, Tommy (Deloris), Charles (Mitzi) and Kenneth (Debbie).
A private service and burial for family and friends will be held in Middle Tennessee. A public service to celebrate her life will take place at Thompson-Boling Arena on July 14 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Memorial gifts may be made to The Pat Summitt Foundation by visiting www.patsummitt.org/donate.
See a list of Pat Summitt's coaching accomplishments
Read Tyler Summitt's statement on the death of his mother