Pat Summitt, the legendary former women's basketball coach who won eight national titles at the University of Tennessee, died Tuesday morning at age 64.
As the coach of the Volunteers for 38 seasons, Summitt guided the team to 1,098 victories, the most in Division I college basketball history for men or women, and boasted a staggering 100% graduation rate for players who completed their eligibility. Summitt stepped down from her position in 2012 after announcing she had early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type.
Pat ...Unparalleled Impact http://utsports.com pic.twitter.com/jAROi4AZ5S
Summitt's son, Tyler Summitt, said in a statement she died peacefully at an assisted living center in Knoxville, Tennessee, while "surrounded by those who loved her most."
"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," the statement read. "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."
While Summitt's contributions on the court were impressive and landed her a spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, her success was also integral to the growth of women's sports — particularly since her eight NCAA titles came after the advent of Title IX in 1972. For perspective, she took the reigns at Tennessee eight years before women's college basketball was considered a sport by the NCAA.
In 2011, Summitt shared the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year award with Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. And, in 2012, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
"Pat's gift has always been her ability to push those around her to new heights, and over the last 38 years, her unique approach has resulted in both unparalleled success on the court and unrivaled loyalty from those who know her and those whose lives she has touched," Obama said.
Former players, rivals, prominent sports figures and celebrities paid tribute on Twitter.
R.I.P. Pat Summitt. We need more women at the helm... EVERY helm!http://cnn.it/290YKI0
Not many people make an impact in the lives of others the way Pat Summit did. Thank you Pat.
RIP Pat Summitt... Changed hoops for the women's game in her 38-year career at Tenn. Dementia is a cruel opponent...pic.twitter.com/erC1gpzXcy
It will be my honor to pay tribute to Pat this morning on @GMA. #SimplyTheBest https://twitter.com/webackpat/status/747732174812684288 ...
This is a sad day in the basketball community. Thank you Pat Summitt for everything you've done for our game.
I always said Pat Summitt could have coached any sport on the Vol campus, and she would have won a championship. She just knew how to win
Fave personal Pat Summitt story: Ran into her at LAX and we drank beers for an hour. I asked her every question I could about hoops. RIP.
The closest well-known coach comparable for Pat Summitt is Vince Lombardi: Intense, relentless, devoted to the pursuit of excellence.
A sad day in my life and the entire WBB community-Pat Summit thank you for sharing your passion and love for the game with all of us.
"Lots of people coach the game. Very few get to define it." - Geno Auriemma on Pat Summittpic.twitter.com/NziPNObDBq
Never dawns on female athletes today that being as/more forceful, assertive and aggressive than boys is wrong. That's Pat Summitt's impact
