Wednesday, 04 December 2024

Pat Summitt

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Coaches 2024
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Sport(s): Basketball
Statistics: 8 NCAA Division I Championship Wins (1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2007 & 2008)
18 NCAA Division I Final Fours (1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008)
16 SEC Regular Season Championships (1980, 1985, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2010 & 2014)
16 SEC Tournament Wins (1980, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011 & 2012)
5 Naismith Coach of the Year Awards (1987, 1989, 1994, 1998 & 2004)
3 WBCA Coach of the Year Awards (1983, 1995 & 1998)
1 AP Coach of the Year Award (1998)
8 SEC Coach of the Year Awards (1993, 1995, 1998. 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007 & 2011)
1 Olympic Gold Medal (1984)
1 FIBA World Championship Gold Medal (1979)
1 FIBA World Championship Silver Medal (1983)
1 Pan American Games Silver Medal (1983)
1,098-208 NCAA Record
Member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Member of the FIBA Hall of Fame
Member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

*1 Olympic Silver Medal (1976)
*1 Pan American Games Gold Medal (1975)

*As a player
After playing four years at Tennessee-Martin, Pat Summitt became a graduate student at Tennessee. The Lady Vols coach suddenly retired, and at age 22, Summitt stepped in to fulfill the vacancy.

In those first few years, Summitt was still playing, representing the United States, most notably at the 1976 Olympics, where she won a Silver Medal. In 1982, the NCAA created their National Tournament, and every single one of Summitt’s players who was with her for four years would reach an Elite Eight.

Summitt took the Lady Vols to the Final Four 18 times, winning it all on eight occasions. Winning 1,098 games, she won another 112 in tournament action. She was named the Naismith Coach of the Year five times, and that number should have been higher.

Internationally, she coached the Americans to Gold Medals at the 1979 FIBA World Championship and the 1984 Olympics. By winning it all in Los Angeles, Summitt became the first person to win an Olympic medal as both a player and coach.

Summitt stepped down after the 2011-12 season after having revealed that she had early-onset Alzheimer's. She died four years later.

Under Summitt, Tennessee never had a losing record. Not only was she an incredible coach, but her legacy extended beyond the hardwood. Every one of her players who completed her eligibility at Tennessee under Summitt graduated with a degree.

Every single one.

We are proud to nominate Pat Summitt for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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