Statement from Mizzou Women’s Basketball Head Coach Robin Pingeton on the death of all-time great Pat Summitt:
“I think for the majority of the population when they think of women’s basketball, they think of Pat Summitt. She was a fearless leader that was driven, passionate, demanding and loving. She was in a league of her own. There really are no words to describe the impact she has had on so many lives, including my own. I have always had so much respect and admiration for Coach Summitt. She was strong, confident, yet so humble and real. Her legacy and impact will live forever. ”
Summitt led the Lady Vols to 1,098 victories — the most in Division I college basketball history (men or women) – before stepping down in 2012, one year after announcing she had early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s type.
Summitt led the Lady Vols to 22 Final Fours (18 NCAA, four AIAW) in her nearly four decades as coach.
What’s more impressive, he girls never failed in the classroom. She boasted a 100 percent graduation rate for all Lady Vols who finished out their NCAA eligibility at Tennessee, as reported by the school.