Tributes to legendary coach Pat Summitt

Collins Parker,

Statement from UT Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek on the Passing of Pat Summitt

“It is a very sad day on Rocky Top. Volunteers around the world are mourning the loss of the legendary Pat Summitt. Pat was the greatest coach of all time; her fierce spirit will live on through her players, and through all of us who were inspired by her on a daily basis. Our sincerest sympathies go out to Tyler and all her family and friends.”

Bishop Richard F. Stika
Diocese of Knoxville

“Pat Summitt’s character, and the ethics that defined her life and her career, made her one of those special human beings that was admired worldwide. We should all take comfort knowing that those traits have now opened a door for her to everlasting peace in heaven; and I have no doubt, in the presence of Jesus, that Pat is now free of the pain she has suffered these past few years. God bless her, her family, and all those many players, coaches, colleagues and friends who Pat Summitt influenced in such a positive way throughout her wonderfully fulfilling life.”

Senator Lamar Alexander:

“It’s hard for people outside Tennessee to understand just how much Pat Summitt became a part of the lives of so many citizens in our state. She took time for community events. She taught us the game of women’s college basketball. And she was so up front and personal about it, with her famous stare and her discussion of her extraordinary athletes, what their strengths were and what they had to work on. We all felt we not only knew her—we knew the athletes as well.
“Pat did far more than win eight national championships: she changed the lives of the young women she coached, she showed us the measure of a real champion and her fight against Alzheimer’s set an example for us all.”
From 1988 to 1991, Alexander served as president of the University of Tennessee where he had the privilege of watching Pat Summitt coach the Lady Vols to the 1989 NCAA championship.

U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.):

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Pat Summitt. Basketball has lost a legend, and Tennessee has lost one of its most beloved daughters.

“There is perhaps no one who left a more indelible mark on his or her profession than Coach Summitt. Through her 38 years as head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers, she amassed a historic record of achievement and blazed a trail for women across our country. The impact she had on her players, the University of Tennessee, the Knoxville community, and the game of basketball will be felt for years to come. I join all Tennesseans today in celebrating her life and extend my thoughts and prayers to her son, Tyler, the Lady Vol family, and all those who were touched by her remarkable life.”

Peyton Manning to ESPN

“Pat was a great friend to me, a great resource. And even though I never played for her I always felt like she was kind of one of my coaches. I used to lean on her for advice. She was one of the people I spoke with in my junior year in college as I was deciding whether to turn pro or stay for my senior year and she gave me some and some valuable advice… We maintained a really close friendship and I was honored to present her with the Arthur Ashe award a few years ago.. honored to serve on the Pat Summitt Alzheimers Foundation these past several years.”

Pat Summitt monument

Christian Goods
@__trey6scoundrel

Just heard the news that the iconic Patt Summit passed a little while ago. I was eternally blessed to have an opportunity to visit her place of employment for 40 years. She was a pioneer. A mother. And an absolutely amazing leader. The World lost a legend today. May she rest in peace. #RIP #PatSummit #LadyVols #ChamiqueHoldsclawWasTheGreatest #Swish

Pat Summitt

Tamara Jernigan
@deputy_wife_0411

Legendary Lady Vols Basketball Coach Pat Summitt has passed away. Here is the statement from her son, Tyler… “It is with tremendous sadness that I announce the passing of my mother, Patricia Sue Head Summitt. She died peacefully this morning at Sherrill Hill Senior Living in Knoxville surrounded by those who loved her most. 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. 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. For 64 years, my mother first built her life upon a strong relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her foundation was also built upon love of her family and of her players, and love of the fundamentals of hard work which reflected her philosophy that ‘you win in life with people’. She was the fourth of five children – Tommy, Charles, Kenneth and Linda – born to Richard and Hazel Head on June 14, 1952, in Clarksville, Tenn. Her tireless work ethic and her love of the game of basketball were created during the time she spent growing up on the family farm. 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 – 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. We will all miss her immensely. A private service and burial will be held for my mother in Middle Tennessee. I ask that you respect the privacy of that time. We are in the process of finalizing the details of a public celebration of her life which will take place in one of her favorite places, Thompson-Boling Arena. Once those details are finalized, we will share them with you. Thank you.” #patsummitt #ladyvols #rip #dementia #alzheimers

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