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Pat Summitt dead at 64

By Cody Williams

TAMPA, FL - APRIL 08: Head coach Pat Summitt of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers celebrates cutting down the net as her son Tyler holds the trophy after their 64-48 win against the Stanford Cardinal during the National Championsip Game of the 2008 NCAA Women's Final Four at St. Pete Times Forum April 8, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - APRIL 08: Head coach Pat Summitt of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers celebrates cutting down the net as her son Tyler holds the trophy after their 64-48 win against the Stanford Cardinal during the National Championsip Game of the 2008 NCAA Women's Final Four at St. Pete Times Forum April 8, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) /
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Legendary Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt has died at 64 years old

Pat Summitt coached the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team for 38 years from 1974-2012. She not only reached unfathomable levels of success as the head coach and leader of the program, but also became an inspiration and role model to many in the process—cementing herself as a legend in the sports world. This week, the world lost a legend as Pat Summitt passed away at 64 years old.

Summitt was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers during the 2011-12 season, but finished out the year before stepping down from the position she took as a 22-year-old graduate assistant in 1974.

Over the course of her coaching career, Summitt led the Lady Vols to eight NCAA National Championships, 16 SEC Tournament Championships, and 16 SEC regular season crowns as well. Her awards for her coaching are almost too numerous to count as she’s one of the most decorated coaches in collegiate history.

However, the impact of Pat Summitt goes far beyond titles, accolades or anything of the sort. Pat Summitt pioneered women’s college basketball and was integral into making it a well-respected reality. When she took over the Lady Vols at Tennessee in 1974, women’s hoops was still an unsanctioned sport. That obviously changed and a young Summitt was at the forefront of that.

What’s more, Pat Summitt touched the lives of countless people throughout here career and life. As a coach, she was a leader and role model to both her players and to those who watched her on the sidelines. Once her career was done and her fight with Alzheimer’s began, she became a figure of fighting and strength that others could still look to when they needed courage.

Rest in peace, Coach Summitt. There will never be another like you.

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