Associated Press, June 28, 2016
Pat Summitt, the winningest coach in Division I college basketball history who lifted the women's game to national prominence during her 38-year career at Tennessee, died Tuesday. She was 64.
With an icy glare on the sidelines, Summitt led the Lady Vols to eight national championships and prominence on a campus steeped in the traditions of the football-rich south until she retired in 2012.
Her son, Tyler Summitt, issued a statement Tuesday morning saying his mother died peacefully 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," Tyler Summitt said. "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."
Here's how the Big Ten hoops community reacted to the news:
Pat Summitt made everyone she met feel important including me! She showed how to impact lives on and off the court! @IlliniWBB
— CoachBollant (@CoachBollant) June 28, 2016
Pat Summitt will forever be a legend. All she has done in her lifetime has set an example for the rest of us. Rest in peace #PatSummitt
— Tia Elbert-McCoy (@Tia_thefuture21) June 28, 2016
Our thoughts & prayers are with the Summitt family.
Head coach Tom Crean on the one & only Pat Summitt: pic.twitter.com/HFCYe7XX8x
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) June 28, 2016
Iowa head coach @LisaBluder on the loss of a legend, @patsummitt.
#ThankYouPat pic.twitter.com/dKvmwgLMwf— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) June 28, 2016
Our game would not be where it is today without Pat Summitt. Thoughts and prayers are with her family. https://t.co/QTO9tfn5Vc
— Michigan Women?s Basketball (@umichwbball) June 28, 2016
Farewell @patsummitt. You forever changed the game as well as countless lives. #RIP pic.twitter.com/ndOLKTwh6r
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) June 28, 2016
We lost a true pioneer today! We are thinking about Pat Summitt's family and the @Vol_Sports family! #RIPPatSummitt pic.twitter.com/XjjqL3jk4w
— Michigan State Women's Basketball (@MSU_WBasketball) June 28, 2016
Heavy hearts across the world this morning for the BEST ever—PAT SUMMITT.#RIPPatSummitt
— Marlene Stollings (@Stollings) June 28, 2016
Trailblazer, leader, mentor, inspiration to all..&much much more.Thank u 4 ur impact & paving the way.#WeBackPat
— Nebraska Women's Basketball (@HuskerWBB) June 28, 2016
Early90s #NSUWolves staff watched 2 1/2 day clinic @CoachDonMeyer @patsummitt in Nashville. @jerrymeyer247 performed. Still have notes #RIP
— Tim Miles (@CoachMiles) June 28, 2016
Statement from Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff on the passing of Pat Summitt pic.twitter.com/aLS8ONnrPl
— Ohio State Women?s Basketball (@OhioStateWBB) June 28, 2016
Thank you Pat!pic.twitter.com/9cmVeQ7w2x
— Coquese Washington (@CoqueseWashing) June 28, 2016
I lost my father to Alzheimer's and now we lost one of the greatest coaches ever. ?? for the Summitt family! #ENDALZ pic.twitter.com/eukC3VPgO3
— Patrick Chambers (@Coach_Chambers) June 28, 2016
Pat the best ever ! Your impact on my life and coaching and how to do things is everlasting. #thoughts and prayers
— Sharon Versyp (@CoachVersyp) June 28, 2016
Truly irreplaceable! Our prayers are with you, your family, players, and friends. #PrayForPat pic.twitter.com/B90Se2sRKR
— C. Vivian Stringer (@cvivianstringer) June 27, 2016
Thank you for everything you did for women's basketball, Pat. An incredible inspiration. #RIPPatSummitt https://t.co/OJeIjpetaD
— Wisconsin Women?s Basketball (@BadgerWBB) June 28, 2016
