As we’re often reminded of, Summitt’s teams had a 100 percent graduation rate — a stat that not only meant she made sure her players went to class, but that they had the emotional and practical support they needed
There are innumerable tales around Pat Summitt, the former women’s basketball coach at the University of Tennessee who, via sheer willpower, elevated a sport and defined a generation. During a recruiting tour, she went into labor with her son, Tyler, and then continued the visit before returning to Tennessee by plane.
Despite finishing fifth in their conference that year, she guided her team to an NCAA championship in 1997. The moment she defied Geno Auriemma, the coach of UConn, and ended their immensely popular series in spite of public pressure to continue.
She once slept on a mat in an opponent’s gym the night before a game because her team received so little funding during those years. She spurred a fight against the illness that would ultimately claim her life over the last five years, but not before her charity raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to combat it. There may be an endless list.
However, the tales her players shared about her over the last few years brought to light another aspect of Summitt, who passed away early on Tuesday morning: The aspect that, in spite of her much more significant battles, was always there to support them during their most trying moments.
As we are frequently reminded, Summitt’s teams had a perfect graduation record, which indicates that she not only ensured her players attended classes but also provided them with the necessary emotional and practical assistance to succeed in college. She seemed to treasure the times her former players visited or contacted, even though she was battling Alzheimer’s. She also continued to stay in touch with them throughout their most trying moments.
When Chamique Holdsclaw discharged a 9 mm handgun into her ex-girlfriend’s car earlier this year, she talked candidly about what may have been her most pivotal moment off the court. She had reached her lowest point, but there were no judgments or lectures when she visited Summitt.
“She was like, ‘Meek,’ when I went down there. What took place? Earlier this year, Holdsclaw told For The Win, “I basically told her what occurred.” “I care about you, I was simply worried about you,” she added. Everything will be alright.
Even if there were less dramatic moments, she still gave her teammates her best effort. During a WNBA conference call this week, Glory Johnson shared her experience of meeting her twins by traveling to see her former coach. Summitt cuddled them and remarked on their adorableness.
Isabelle Harrison, a member of the final class of Vols to play for Summitt, recounted her experience of sitting in her hospital bed with a ruptured ACL before to the 2015 WNBA draft. Summitt paid her a visit. Last year, Harrison told FTW, “We sat there in my room, watching TV, talking.” “And I thought that was insane because [everyone] really admires her and [for her] to take the time to talk about everything she is going through,” Harrison remarked.
