On Tuesday morning, the basketball world lost a legend. Pat Summitt, the winningnest coach in NCAA Division I history, passed away after spending four decades in the spotlight as one of the foremost trailblazers in women’s sports.
For those 40 years, she was a fighter. She was a champion for the University of Tennessee. She was a pioneer for women in sports. She was an advocate for her loved ones, for her fans and for anyone and everyone who needed a voice.
As President Barack Obama said in a statement, Summitt's legacy "is measured" by "the generations of young women and men who admired Pat’s intense competitiveness and character, and as a result found in themselves the confidence to practice hard, play harder, and live with courage on and off the court."
Given Summitt's impact on so many lives, it was no surprise that as soon as news broke of her death, past players, longtime friends and some of the most notable names in sports joined Obama in expressing their respect for one of the greatest to ever step on the sidelines.
#Pat ...Unparalleled Impact https://t.co/LX1WpJcw76 pic.twitter.com/jAROi4AZ5S
— Lady Vol Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) June 28, 2016
A sad day in my life and the entire WBB community-Pat Summit thank you for sharing your passion and love for the game with all of us. 🙏🏾🙏🏾
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) June 28, 2016
Pat Summitt's record is legendary. Her work ethic—second to none. We need exactly that kind of commitment to end Alzheimer's. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 28, 2016
Coach #PatSummitt, you were the reason I started following Women's College Basketball.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 28, 2016
RIP Pat Summitt. A legend and personal hero of mine for many many years. #sadday
— Abby Wambach (@AbbyWambach) June 28, 2016
This is a sad day in the basketball community. Thank you Pat Summitt for everything you've done for our game.
— Lindsey Harding (@Lindsey_Harding) June 28, 2016
Coach @patsummitt was an all time great w/ a brilliant mind, a love of basketball and a deep loyalty to all around her. She will be missed.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) June 28, 2016
A photo posted by Catch Me If U Can 24 (@catchin24) on
My heart is broken. Pat & I shared a very special, special BOND that will NEVER be broken! I love u Pat!
— Holly Warlick (@HollyWarlick) June 28, 2016
A photo posted by Becky Hammon (@officialbeckyhammon) on
Simply the BEST! @patsummitt Will be on @MikeAndMike @7:45 to talk about Pat May she RIP! https://t.co/mnUwUHjM9G
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) June 28, 2016
A photo posted by Robin Roberts (@robinrobertsgma) on
RIP. May we all honor and CELEBRATE the greatest coach to ever do it. Not because of her record but her IMPACT! pic.twitter.com/CadPQ0Is3V
— Diamond DeShields (@DDDeshields) June 28, 2016
Thank you Pat for teaching me to be fearless with grace and humility. Thank you for being a mentor to so many.
— Mia Hamm (@MiaHamm) June 28, 2016
R.I.P. Pat Summitt. We need more women at the helm... EVERY helm! https://t.co/rF3wbL19Nx
— Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) June 28, 2016
This is a sad day in the basketball community. Thank you Pat Summitt for everything you've done for our game.
— Lindsey Harding (@Lindsey_Harding) June 28, 2016
Heart is heavy 😢 RIP Coach Summitt thank you for all that you done for the women's game. Truly a legend 🙏🏽👼🏼 #RIP
— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) June 28, 2016
.@WNBAPrez, Lisa Borders statement on the passing of coaching legend, Pat Summitt. pic.twitter.com/RInn0p3jJ2
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 28, 2016
I never met the hard working farm girl turned hoops coach Pat Summitt. I always respected her grind & hustle and LOVED the 'icy stare.' RIP
— Desmond Howard (@DesmondHoward) June 28, 2016
Blessed to be coached and mentored by a trail blazer! She changed the world 1 by 1. #greatness#Legend#161💪🏾🏀 pic.twitter.com/KXktr8vBiK
— Jody Adams (@coachjodyadams) June 27, 2016
Legendary College Basketball Coach Pat Summitt Dies- RIP big Boss... You were amazing:) https://t.co/dDM05AXOep
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) June 28, 2016
We have lost one of the greatest Tennesseans of all time. My full statement on Pat Summitt: https://t.co/GuynJE23RP pic.twitter.com/nmlxtbj01M
— Gov. Bill Haslam (@BillHaslam) June 28, 2016
As a girl growing up who loved any and all sports, Pat Summitt was my hero. She showed me I could do and be anything I wanted.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) June 28, 2016
The closest well-known coach comparable for Pat Summitt is Vince Lombardi: Intense, relentless, devoted to the pursuit of excellence.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 28, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with @patsummitt and the @LadyVol_Hoops family. #PrayForPat pic.twitter.com/naaxhWPInR
— NOTRE DAME WBB (@ndwbb) June 26, 2016
Statement from Peyton Manning on the passing of Pat Summitt. pic.twitter.com/M9AJ7UlWpi
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) June 28, 2016
The impact Pat Summitt had on people is as great as her impact on the game. As I coach, as I live I will always think "What would Pat do?"
— CAROLYN PECK (@CAROLYNPECK) June 28, 2016
I was 17 years old when I started doing this, and Pat Summitt treated me like I wrote for Sports Illustrated. Just an unbelievable woman.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) June 26, 2016
Pat Summitt was one of those women who made every young girl believe she could be the best, no matter what path she chose. #RIPPatSummitt
— Stephania Bell (@Stephania_ESPN) June 28, 2016
She coached young women to success. She taught us all how to lead. #RIPPat
— Charles Bloom (@CharlesBloomSC) June 28, 2016
Love & Prayers for one of the greatest teammates @patsummitt pic.twitter.com/tGtM1oYNeE
— Ann Meyers Drysdale (@AnnMeyers) June 26, 2016
RIP to the woman that shaped women's basketball, Pat Summitt! It was truly an honor to play in front of her.
— Bianca Thomas (@BiancaThomas45) June 28, 2016
Dang Pat Summitt too!! Wow man!! We definitely lost a legend!! Loved her as a coach and person!! Prayers out to her family this a.m.
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) June 28, 2016
There is so much to respect about Pat Summitt, but the way her players and colleagues loved her is the most inspiring to me. #PatSummitt
— Kurt Roper (@CoachKurtRoper) June 28, 2016
Remembering all Pat Summit did for our game and all women's sports. Her legacy will live on.
— Brenda Frese (@BrendaFrese) June 28, 2016
RIP to Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt, one of the truly great coaches and people in the history of American sport. https://t.co/BAVzUTRK19
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) June 28, 2016
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