Pat Summitt (1952–2016) was a legendary American women’s college basketball coach, renowned for her exceptional leadership of the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers from 1974 to 2012. Over her 38-year tenure, she amassed 1,098 career wins—the most in NCAA Division I basketball history at the time—and secured eight NCAA national championships, solidifying her status as one of the sport’s greatest coaches.
Beyond her collegiate achievements, Summitt made significant contributions to international basketball. As head coach, she led the U.S. women’s basketball team to a gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, adding to her silver medal as a player in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
In 2011, Summitt was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Despite this challenge, she continued to coach for the 2011–2012 season before retiring. She passed away in 2016 at the age of 64.
In honor of her profound impact on basketball, a group led by former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, including investors like Candace Parker and Peyton Manning, has submitted a bid to establish a WNBA franchise in Nashville named the “Tennessee Summitt.” The team aims to begin play in 2028 at Bridgestone Arena.