Biography Of Patricia Sue Head Summitt

Kierra Jordan
February 23, 2017

Patricia Sue Head Summit left her mark on Earth as one greatest coaches to ever coach the game of basketball. In her 64 years of living, she created a legacy, dynasty, and was the epitome of success in women’s basketball. I would say Summitt was the chosen one since she was hired as the head coach of the University of Tennessee women’s basketball organization in 1974, the same year graduated college with her bachelor’s degree. She remained as the head coach for the Lady Volunteers for the next 38 years before retiring in 2012 due to being diagnosed with dementia. By the end of her coaching career, Summitt had dominated the game of basketball, winning more games than any male or female coach in men’s and women’s

In 1999, Summitt was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She was the only woman named on the 50 greatest coaches of all time, being ranked at 11. In 2000, she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Eleven years later, she was inducted into the University of Tennessee Women’s Hall of Fame. She was diagnosed with dementia in 2011, which concluded her coaching career. She was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012 and received the Lifetime Achievement award. Her coaching career ended with a total of 1098 wins and just 208 losses( At that moment, she had won more games than any coach, men’s or women’s basketball. Pat had coached the Lady Vols to 8 NCAA Championships, 32 SEC Titles, produced 12 Olympians, and 20 kodak all-Americans. Here greatest achievement was she has a 100% graduation rate for athletes that completed their eligibility with the

Her commitment to making sure her players evolved into greater people by the time they graduated is something others should strive to do as leaders. Her behavior can be mimicked through commitment, hard work, and charisma. Summitt became known for this stare she gave during basketball games. Active listening is something Summitt was big on. In fact, the fourth rule on her definite dozen list was to learn to be a great communicator. Her idea was of being a good communicator was through eye contact. Summitt demanded that all her players look at her in her eyes when she is talking and not look away. This showed that the players were confident, had self-respect and mutual respect as well (12). Summitt’s leadership can also be mimicked by others by investing in their subordinates. Summitt knew the only way to win was with people and she cared and invested in those around her. She treated her players with the same respect as she treated her coaches. Summitt was and will always be a leader that new coaches, players, and aspiring coaches will look to as a model to become a successful