Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt, a pioneer of women’s college
basketball who guided the Tennessee Volunteers to eight national titles
in her 38 seasons at the university, died Tuesday morning. She was 64.
Summitt
led the Lady Vols to 1,098 victories — the most in Division I college
basketball history (men or women) ยญยญ– before stepping down in 2012, one
year after announcing she had early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s type.
Her son, Tyler Summitt, issued a statement Tuesday morning saying his
mother died peacefully at the Sherrill Hills retirement facility 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 a private
funeral and burial will be held in Middle Tennessee and asked that the
family’s privacy be respected. A public memorial service is being
planned for Thompson-Boling Arena.
