Despite being diagnosed with early onset dementia, Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Pat Summitt (who’s a legend in her own right) will continue coaching the team she’s been with since 1974.
“I plan to continue to be your coach,” Summitt said in a two-minute video statement released by the school’s athletic department.
Summitt, who turned 59 last June consulted with her physicians at the conclusion of last season after experiencing erratic behavior and memory loss. He physicians recommended that she visit the Mayo Clinic where she underwent a series of tests.
Then came the sad diagnosis…
“Earlier this year the doctors at the Mayo clinic diagnosed me with an early onset dementia — Alzheimer’s type,” Summit said.
The news of Summitt’s health not only rocked the Women’s college basketball world but the basketball world in general.
UConn women’s basketball coach Gene Auriemma who’s had many battles with Summitt released a statement…
“I was shocked and saddened to hear about the news regarding Pat Summitt’s diagnosis,” said Auriemma, who is two years younger than Summitt. “You don’t necessarily associate dementia with people our age so this announcement really put things in perspective. Pat has great support from her family, friends and staff and I know they will help her immensely. There is no doubt in my mind that Pat will take on this challenge as she has all others during her Hall of Fame career — head on. I wish her all the best.”
Summitt who announced her condition from her home in Blount County, Tennessee said she wouldn’t stop coaching…
“I plan to continue to be your coach,” Summit said. “For that reason I will be relying on my outstanding coaching staff like never before. We have always collaborated on every facet of Lady Vol Basketball; and now you will see [assistants] Holly Warlick, Mickie DeMoss and Dean Lockwood taking on more responsibility as their duties will change significantly. I love being your coach and the privilege to go to work every day with our outstanding Lady Vol student athletes.”
A true icon of the basketball world, Summitt has led the Lady Vols to eight national championships and 1,071 career victories, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, regardless of gender. She is entering her 38th season coaching at UT.
Source: SI.com
