Just one day after announcing that she would no longer be head coach at the University of Tennessee, it was learned that Pat Summitt will receive the country’s highest civilian honor.
President Barack Obama announced on Thursday that Summitt would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is “presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
“Coach Summitt is an inspiration – both as the all-time winningest NCAA coach, and as someone who is willing to speak so openly and courageously about her battle with Alzheimer’s,” said President Obama in a statement.
“Pat’s gift has always been her ability to push those around her to new heights, and over the last 38 years, her unique approach has resulted in both unparalleled success on the court and unrivaled loyalty from those who know her and those whose lives she has touched.
Pat’s coaching career may be over, but I’m confident that her work is far from finished. I look forward to awarding her this honor.”
Summitt, who is now the school’s head coach emeritus, has used the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund to help fund research for a cure of Alzheimer’s and that work will continue in her new role.
Other recipients of the award will be announced in the coming weeks with a ceremony to be held later this year.
This is likely the first of many awards to be given to Summitt in the coming weeks and months, and rightfully so given her impact on the sports world.
Raphielle is also the assistant editor at CollegeHoops.net and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.
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- gotampabay52 - Apr 19, 2012 at 2:00 PM
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You will be missed but always loved here in Knoxville
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- titanide3000 - Apr 19, 2012 at 3:18 PM
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Pat has been an inspiration to women around the country for decades! She brought women’s basketball to the level it is today. Many younger women can’t remember when basketball ended at high school, or wasn’t available at all. I thank Pat’s father for moving the family from Montgumery Co., Tn. to Cheatham Co. so his daughter could play. How many fathers would do that?
Pat took her dad’s mindset and passed it forward, creating opportunities where there were none. She didn’t stop at sports either. ALL of her eligible players went on to graduate from college!
No one is as deserving of this honor than Pat. Her legacy will live on, not only in Tennessee, but across the country.
Maybe next year, MSNBC can create an NCAA Women’s bracket challenge contest in her honor…you listening MSNBC???
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- florida727 - Apr 19, 2012 at 4:47 PM
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If you really want to appreciate Pat Summitt’s career, ask yourself this one question: would there be blog articles, national TV exposure, etc., about women’s basketball if it weren’t for her? My guess is, no. She deserves every single accolade / award that gets bestowed upon her in the coming months. Truly one-of-a-kind. God bless you, Pat.
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- whutevr - Apr 19, 2012 at 7:12 PM
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Excellent. Nice that she’s receiving such a wonderful award before she gets too sick or worse.
