Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Pat Summitt's Toughest Game

Category:  Sports News


Nobody -- nobody -- has coached more victories in college basketball than Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Pat Summitt.  Now the Hall of Fame coach is facing her toughest opponent ever:  a serious health issue.  Summitt has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia. 


Summitt announced today (8/23) that she received the diagnosis of early-onset dementia (Alzheimer's type) in May.  Following the conclusion of the 2010-2011 season her doctor sent her to the Mayo Clinic, where she received the diagnosis.


Summitt is receiving treatment and will continue to coach.  The interim Athletics Director for the University of Tennessee, Joan Cronan, affirmed that "Pat Summitt is our head coach, and she will continue to be."


Pat Summitt has 1,071 victories, more than any other coach in any division of NCAA basketball, male or female.  She has won eight national titles and has spent her entire 39-year coaching career on the sidelines at Tennessee.  Her program has never been under any scrutiny by the NCAA for any violations, meaning she has won all those games and titles the right way.


Considering all the foul-smelling news coming out almost daily about college sports it is more important now than ever that the college games obtain more coaches like Pat Summitt.  Keep this marvelous coach and her family in your prayers as she battles this terrible diagnosis.

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