The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Statements from Aston, Conradt, Plonsky on Pat Summitt
06.28.2016 | Women's Basketball
Legendary Tennessee coach passed away on Tuesday at the age of 64.
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University of Texas Athletics extends its condolences to the family and friends of former University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt, who passed away on Tuesday in Knoxville, Tenn., at the age of 64, just more than five years after being diagnosed with early-onset dementia, Alzheimer's type.
Summitt retired from her 38-year coaching career in 2012 as the winningest coach in college basketball history, earning 1,098 career victories and eight NCAA Championships. The Longhorns and Lady Vols have faced one another annually in women's basketball since 1982.
Below are statements from Texas head coach Karen Aston, former Texas head coach Jody Conradt (1976-2007) and Texas Director of Women's Athletics Chris Plonsky.
Texas Head Coach Karen Aston
"Not only is the women's basketball coaching community deeply affected by the passing of Pat Summitt, but the world of sports is surely mourning with us today. We have lost a legendary mentor, coach, mother, role model, and friend who truly changed the way we all view women in sports leadership. I personally grew up admiring her passion for basketball but, most importantly, her vision of helping young girls grow into confident women. We will all be forever grateful that she touched our lives in the manner that she did, and should celebrate her life and influence as we remember her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Summitt family, as well as the entire Lady Vol community."
Former Texas Head Coach Jody Conradt (1976-2007)
"My 30-plus year friendship with Pat Summitt is one I will always cherish, especially in a business that doesn't always breed genuine friendship. When I think of women's basketball, I instantly think of Pat Summitt because she's truly synonymous with women's basketball. It was evident, even in her early coaching years, that she'd leave her footprints on our game. Her passion, her fire, her love and knowledge of the game, put her in an elite class of coaches. In the coaching profession, one is judged by her victories and Pat's teams certainly won a ton of games. But when I think about her greatest impact, I think about the young women she coached and mentored, and how fortunate they were to have Pat as a leader and coach, and how blessed I have been to have her as a friend."
Texas Director of Women's Athletics Chris Plonsky
"The modern era of collegiate women's sports and Pat Summitt's coaching career are intertwined. There were NCAA championships and Olympic gold, but also hundreds of young women whose lives were impacted by higher education and college degrees. Texas Athletics always has felt a special competitive bond with Tennessee, as administrations at both institutions made early commitments to supporting Title IX and opportunities for women in sport and education. Pat's first NCAA title was achieved at our Frank Erwin Special Events Center in 1987. We join with the Lady Vols today in expressing our love and appreciation for Pat and her life's work."