Fansided

Family: Pat Summitt’s health declining in recent days

By Brad Weiss

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 11: Tyler Summitt (L) and Peyton Manning (R) present the Arther Ashe Courage Award to Pat Summitt onstage during the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 11: Tyler Summitt (L) and Peyton Manning (R) present the Arther Ashe Courage Award to Pat Summitt onstage during the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Legendary former University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt’s health is in decline, and the family is asking for privacy and respect.

Pat Summitt’s family issued a statement Sunday, stating that the former University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach’s health has been rapidly declining recently.

According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Summitt, who suffers from early-onset dementia, Alzheimer’s type, is “struggling”, and the family is “preparing for the worst.” In the statement, the family states that they do not know if Summitt will last a day, week, or month.

Summitt announced in August 2011 that she had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Though battling the disease, Summitt did not step down from her post until April of 2012.

This past January, Summitt moved into an “upscale retirement resort,” and has not left there since.

The 64-year old Summitt won eight national championships in 38 seasons with Tennessee, racking up 1,098 wins in the process. That number is the highest amount of wins from any coach in Division I college basketball history for a men’s or women’s coach. Summitt was named NCAA coach of the year seven times while leading the Lady Vols to 22 Final Four appearances.

She still holds the title of head coach emeritus of the Tennessee women’s basketball team.

Cancer survivor and “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts tweeted her prayers Sunday.

The family is asking for respect and privacy at this time as she continues her fight.

For more NCAA basketball news, check out our hub page.