Hall of Fame Tennessee Volunteers women's basketball coach Pat Summitt passed away on Tuesday morning at 64 years old.
Summitt stepped away from coaching after the 2011-12 season after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Her son, Tyler Summitt, released a statement on Tuesday morning:
"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. Even though it's incredibly difficult to come to terms that she is no longer with us, we can all find peace in knowing she no longer carries the heavy burden of this disease."
Summitt posted a career record of 1,098-208 (.841), the most wins in Division I college basketball history for both men and women. She led the Lady Vols to 31 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and 22 Final Fours in her 38 years of coaching, including eight national championships.
"Pat Summitt is synonymous with Tennessee, but she truly is a global icon who transcended sports and spent her entire life making a difference in other peoples' lives," Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart said in a statement. "She was a genuine, humble leader who focused on helping people achieve more than they thought they were capable of accomplishing. Pat was so much more than a Hall of Fame coach; she was a mother, mentor, leader, friend, humanitarian and inspiration to so many. Her legacy will live on through the countless people she touched throughout her career."
Tyler Summitt said that her family is having a private funeral and burial in Middle Tennessee, but there will be public memorial service that is being planned for Thompson-Boling Arena.
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