Pat Summitt Named Head Coach Emeritus

#52
#52
It means that she is retired and has head coach as an honorary title.

Also ESPN Classic and ESPNU are showing a marathon past games over the next 24 hours as a tribute to Coach Summitt.

ESPN
 
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#53
#53
My two cents:

This is from a facebook post in which I shared a photo of Pat cutting down the net in 2008 with Tyler beside her on the ladder. I was lucky enough to see that game and will cherish it forever.



Today we learned that this would be Pat Summitt's last title win. Prior to this season, Pat was diagnosed with early on-set dementia/Alzheimer's type. Though officially the head coach, Holly Warlick, an assistant coach, ran the team during practices and games. Pat Summitt would interact during some games, but mainly stayed seated on the sidelines, a far cry from her usual nature. During one low point, she had to be directed to shake hands, post game, with an opposing coach. And yet, she fought on. A UT legend in the flesh, she was allowed by the university to determine the course her career took post-diagnosis. Today, she announced her retirement from the position. She'll remain head coach emeritus, helping the university as she can. Check out her stats, if you will. Most notable, of course, are her total wins, most in NCAA history. Her national titles, 8, SEC titles, 16, are also very impressive.

However, the stat I learned today, is the most impressive. In 38 years if coaching Division 1 women's basketball, she has a 100% graduation rate. Every single player that has worn the Tennessee orange for Pat Summitt has earned her college degree. Yes, it is women's basketball. No, there was no WNBA for most of her players to aspire to earn a spot on. Take any tact you like in detracting from her stats or accomplishments, but this one stands as a testament to Summitt's most important legacy: her effect on her players' lives. As a UT fan, I'm always going to think about Coach Summitt and what she accomplished in Knoxville. Iconic coach with an iconic program. However, as a teacher who struggles to get kids to believe that they can do better than the day before and even more so as a dad of a beautiful 21 month-old little girl who gets more exposure from someone she doesn't live with on a daily basis than she does from me, I'm humbled by Pat's drive to continually insist that her players, her students, her young women continually struggle do better on the court and in life.


Alzheimer's will eventually take Pat Summitt. However, she will live forever through those that she influenced and their influence on others. Pat Summitt may not always remember Tennessee, but Tennessee and many, many more outside of the college, state, sports world, will remember always remember her.

I'll always count myself lucky to have seen a small part of it all.
 
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#54
#54
Thank you Coach Summitt for all that you have done to elevate our great University. Thank you for being the soul behind our B-Ball programs...Thank you for being a positive influence on our student athletes....Thank you for being you...
 
#55
#55
bluetickhound16 said:
She'll be missed but everyone knew this day was coming... Sad, because college athletics (much less basketball) will never have another coach like Pat Summitt. Every single person involved with women's basketball owes CPS a debt of gratitude because most wouldn't be where they are without her and they DAMN sure wouldn't be getting paid like they are....
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This!!!
 
#56
#56
LS Vol said:
Breaks my heart for Pat and for us. But I am happy she will not be left to decline further in front of the nation on TV. Hope Holly is up to the task. Not sure about her ability but very sure about her loyalty to the program. God bless you, Pat Summitt.
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And this!!!!
 
#57
#57
Jake said:
It was an honor to have Coach Summitt as our fearless leader...not only in women's basketball but in many aspects involving the University of Tennessee. She has been THE MOST consistent variable in UT athletics in the history of the university....

...from the bottom of my heart, thank you Coach Summitt.

May your legendary fortitude fight on in your next challenge!!!

Absolutely NO WAY to quantify her influence and leadership.
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And, absolutely, this!!
 
#60
#60
bUTrosbUTrosVOLie said:
Thanks for that. Really great story but not a surprise for anyone who has ever met her.

Despite her competitiveness, drive and determination to win....Pat is truly a "people person". Her loyalty and caring attitude for even casual friends is well known. I've known only a handful in my whole (long!) life.
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Thanks. I know that the competitiveness, drive and determination that you talk about is what most people notice first. But to be truly successful in life, and I would say that Coach Summitt is more successful in life than she is in basketball (thats saying a lot) you have to know about people. You have to care about people. And you have to be able to communicate all of that.

If my daughters turn out to be even half the person that Coach Summitt is, I consider myself to be a successful father.
 
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#61
#61
Also, last thing here, then I will hang up and listen:

Im currently listening to sports talk radio back in Lansing MI. (It is my morning routine here in Rednecksville) It has been 40 minutes now and all they have talked about is Coach Summitt. Thats pretty good respect right there, to get the top of a show in a place that isnt even an SEC town. Im sure that she will carry most of the conversation there today. And rightfully so.
 
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#62
#62
Between Pat retiring and the Gators showing the upmost respect, I am about to have a breakdown.

Gods Speed Coach. Truley an honor to watch your entire career.
 
#63
#63
How lucky has UT been? Two legendary coaches and people, General Neyland and Pat Summit.
 
#64
#64
Never be the same in all of women college basketball. She was the mother of all mothers of women college basketball. Very sad day for women college basketball. Thanks Coach Summit:salute:
 
#65
#65
So sad she had to go out this way...I mean what can you say about a lady who has given everything to be successful at a school she loves...I will always have a lot of love in my heart for her and the excitement she gave us all...She is a legend in the game and always will be but the best thing of all is...She's a VOL...And it just doesn't get any better than that....Thank You from the bottom of our hearts Coach Summit.
 
#66
#66
My x-sister in law (whom I still adore-yes, i married the wrong sister) was in a dorm at UTM next to Pat! She use to tell stories about Pat walking around campus w/ a BB under her arm always and about how focused she was on being the best she could be at "everything". That kind of dedication is extremely hard to find but has served her well.

God Bless Pat.....a VFL!!!
 
#67
#67
Emerita, not emeritus...

Thanks for the ride, and thanks for the memories, and thanks for being such a class act, and such a representative for the University of Tennessee, and such a role model for girls and women --and people --everywhere. :hi:

God bless you, and may He make your road smooth and easy.
 
#68
#68
VolNExile said:
Emerita, not emeritus...

Thanks for the ride, and thanks for the memories, and thanks for being such a class act, and such a representative for the University of Tennessee, and such a role model for girls and women --and people --everywhere. :hi:

God bless you, and may He make your road smooth and easy.
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I thought it should read "emerita" also, but I've seen it done that way so many times with other things (and I'm old and things like that slip away) so I really am not sure which is proper. Any classical scholars here?
 
#69
#69
bUTrosbUTrosVOLie said:
I thought it should read "emerita" also, but I've seen it done that way so many times with other things (and I'm old and things like that slip away) so I really am not sure which is proper. Any classical scholars here?
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emerita, feminine singular
emeritus, masculine singular (or gender-neutral)

emeritae, feminine plural
emeriti, masculine or mixed plural

Same with alumna, alumnus, alumnae, alumni.

I'm a raging feminist from way back, but I do like the proper terms. :)
 
#70
#70
VolNExile said:
emerita, feminine singular
emeritus, masculine singular (or gender-neutral)

emeritae, feminine plural
emeriti, masculine or mixed plural

Same with alumna, alumnus, alumnae, alumni.

I'm a raging feminist from way back, but I do like the proper terms. :)
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Thanks for that....and rage on! :hi:
 
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