by Pat Summitt
BRIDGETTE GORDON, following her graduation, played professionally in Italy, where she was a perennial All-Star and won seven Italian championships and two European Cups (1994 and 1996), before returning home for a two-year stint with the WNBA’s Sacramento Monarchs. She also won an Olympic gold medal. After retirement, she became a college basketball coach. She is currently an assistant at Wichita State under former Lady Vol Jody Adams.
KELLIE JOLLY HARPER became head coach at Western Carolina in 2004 at the age of just twenty-six. In 2009, she was named head coach at North Carolina State University, where she promptly won twenty games.
PAT HATMAKER is a captain of security at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
DEBRA HAWHEE is a professor of English at Penn State University and a historian of rhetoric. She was named a 2011–2012 Resident Scholar of Penn State’s Institute for the Arts and Humanities.
CHAMIQUE HOLDSCLAW was the WNBA Rookie of the Year following her graduation from Tennessee in 1999. She has waged a valiant battle against depression throughout her career. In 2012, she wrote an autobiography, Breaking Through: Beating the Odds Shot After Shot, in which she documented her struggles with mental illness, including a suicide attempt. She is currently a mental health advocate for Active Minds, a group that counsels college students who find themselves in emotional trouble.
ALEXIS HORNBUCKLE was drafted fourth overall by the Detroit Shock in 2008, and in her first WNBA game, she set a franchise record with seven steals while playing just nineteen minutes. She became the first player to win an NCAA title and a WNBA title in the same season. She currently plays for the Phoenix Mercury.
KARA LAWSON won a WNBA championship with the Sacramento Monarchs in 2005, and in 2008 won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. She currently plays for the Connecticut Sun. In addition, she is regarded as one of the brightest young announcing stars on ESPN. On January 12, 2007, she became the first woman to work as a nationwide broadcast analyst for an NBA game.
MICHELLE MARCINIAK is a nationally recognized young entrepreneur, cofounder of Sheex, a luxury line of bedding and sleepwear.
CANDACE PARKER became the first WNBA player to win both the Rookie of the Year and the Most Valuable Player awards in the same season for the Los Angeles Sparks in 2008. She missed the first eight games of the 2009 WNBA season after giving birth to her daughter, Lailaa Williams. She has won two straight gold medals with the USA Olympic team.
JILL RANKIN SCHNEIDER is a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and a nationally recognized high school basketball coach in Texas. In 2012, she coached the USA women’s under-17 team to a world championship.
JOY SCRUGGS is a faculty member and basketball coach at Emory and Henry College.
VONDA WARD was the world heavyweight women’s boxing champion in 2002 and 2003. She retired with a record of 22-1 with seventeen knockouts. She is a personal trainer in Cleveland.
HOLLY WARLICK, after serving as either a player or an assistant for 949 of Tennessee’s NCAA-record 1,098 wins and all eight NCAA championships, became Tennessee’s head coach in 2012. In addition, Warlick teamed up with former Lady Vols player and assistant Nikki Caldwell, the current head coach at LSU, to establish the Champions for a Cause Foundation, which sponsors a long-haul motorcycle ride dedicated to raising funds and awareness for a cure for breast cancer. They have raised and donated more than $125,000.
Appendix
PAT SUMMITT COACHING RECORD SEASON BY SEASON
SEASON TEAM W-L POSTSEASON
1974–75 Tennessee 16-8 4th, state
1975–76 Tennessee 16-11 2nd, state
1976–77 Tennessee 28-5 AIAW Final Four
1977–78 Tennessee 27-4 AIAW tourney
1978–79 Tennessee 30-9 AIAW Final Four
1979–80 Tennessee 33-5 AIAW Final
1980–81 Tennessee 25-6 AIAW Final
1981–82 Tennessee 22-10 NCAA Final Four
1982–83 Tennessee 25-8 NCAA Regional
1983–84 Tennessee 23-10 NCAA Final
1984–85 Tennessee 22-10 NCAA Regional
1985–86 Tennessee 24-10 NCAA Final Four
1986–87 Tennessee 28-6 NCAA Champion
1987–88 Tennessee 31-3 NCAA Final Four
1988–89 Tennessee 35-2 NCAA Champion
1989–90 Tennessee 27-6 NCAA Regional
1990–91 Tennessee 30-5 NCAA Champion
1991–92 Tennessee 28-3 NCAA Regional
1992–93 Tennessee 29-3 NCAA Regional
1993–94 Tennessee 31-2 NCAA Regional
1994–95 Tennessee 34-3 NCAA Final
1995–96 Tennessee 32-4 NCAA Champion
1996–97 Tennessee 29-10 NCAA Champion
1997–98 Tennessee 39-0 NCAA Champion
1998–99 Tennessee 31-3 NCAA Regional
1999–2000 Tennessee 33-4 NCAA Final
2000–01 Tennessee 31-3 NCAA Regional
2001–02 Tennessee 29-5 NCAA Final Four
2002–03 Tennessee 33-5 NCAA Final
2003–04 Tennessee 31-4 NCAA Final
2004–05 Tennessee 30-5 NCAA Final Four
2005–06 Tennessee 31-5 NCAA Regional
2006–07 Tennessee 34-3 NCAA Champion
2007–08 Tennessee 36-2 NCAA Champion
2008–09 Tennessee 22-11 NCAA 1st round
2009–10 Tennessee 32-3 NCAA Regional
2010–11 Tennessee 34-3 NCAA Regional
2011–12 Tennessee 27-9 NCAA Regional
TOTAL (38 years): 1,098-208 (.840)
RECORDS AND MILESTONES
• 1,098 wins, most in NCAA Division I college basketball history by any coach, man or woman
• Eight-time NCAA champion—1987, ’89, ’91, ’96, ’97, ’98, 2007, and ’08—most in women’s basketball
• Holds a 112-23 career record in NCAA tournament games
• Seven-time NCAA Coach of the Year—1983, ’87, ’89, ’94, ’95, ’98, 2004
• 36 consecutive seasons with 20-plus wins
• Gold medal winner as coach of 1984 U.S. Olympic team
• Silver medal winner as a player (cocaptain) on 1976 U.S. Olympic team
• Graduated from University of Tennessee at Martin in 1974, leaving as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,045 points
• Inducted into five halls of fame—Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, Women’s Sports Foundation Hall of Fame, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, and Tennessee Women’s Hall of Fame
• Most seasons coached in NCAA/AIAW play without a losing record (38, lost more than nine games in a season only six times and more than ten games in a season only twice)
• Most consecutive NCAA/AIAW postseason appearances (38, never missed a tournament)
• Most number one seeds in NCAA Division I postseason play (20)
• Most wins as an NCAA/AIAW Division I basketball head coach (1,098; in second place is Mike Krzyzewski with 927 wins)
• Most wins in NCAA postseason play (112)
• Most NCAA Final Four appearances (18, six more than John Wooden, who holds the men’s records)
• Most NCAA/AIAW championship game appearances (15)
• Most 20-win seasons in NCAA/AIAW play (36, all consecutive seasons)
• Most 30-win seasons in NCAA/AIAW play (20)
HONORS
2000 Named the Naismith Basketball Coach of the Century
2008 ESPY Award for Best Coach of the Year; award encompasses all sports, college and professional
2009 Named to Sporting News’s list of the 50 greatest coaches of all time (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, college basketball, and college football)
2011 Named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year (shared with Duke University men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski)
2012 Awarded the 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama; Arthur Ashe Courage Award, ESPYs
ALL-TIME TENNESSEE LADY VOLS UNDER COACH PAT HEAD SUMMITT
Jody Ada
ms 1989–1993
Nicky Anosike 2004–2008
Alberta Auguste 2006–2008
Lauren Avant 2010–2011
Suzanne Barbre 1974–1978
Briana Bass 2008–2012
Vicki Baugh 2007–2012
Angie Bjorklund 2007–2011
Shannon Bobbitt 2006–2008
Cindy Boggs 1974–1975
Fonda Bondurant 1975–1977
Sherry Bostic 1984–1986
Nancy Bowman 1972–1975
Gina Bozeman 1981
Diane Brady 1973–1975
Alyssa Brewer 2008–2011
Cindy Brogdon 1977–1979
Cierra Burdick 2011–present
Niya Butts 1996–2000
Tasha Butts 2000–2004
Kelley Cain 2007–2011
Nikki Caldwell 1990–1994
Sonya Cannon 1981–1985
Abby Canon 2004–2005
Amanda Canon 1998–2002
Tamara Carver 1990–1991
Kelli Casteel 1988–1992
Tamika Catchings 1997–2001
Lesia Cecil 1985–1986
Daedra Charles 1988–1991
Becky Clark 1979–1980
Regina Clark 1988–1992
Kristen “Ace” Clement 1997–2001
Susan Clower 1978–1982
Lynne Collins 1980–1984
Shelia Collins 1981–1985
Abby Conklin 1993–1997
Pam Cook 1982–1983
Elizabeth Curry 2006–2007
Bev Curtis 1979
Latina Davis 1992–1996
LaToya Davis 2000–2004
Susie Davis 1976–1979
Freda DeLozier 1975
Rochone Dilligard 1991–1994
Gail Dobson 1971–1975
Sybil Dosty 2004–2005
Faith Dupress 2009–2010
Kris Durham 1987–1989
Sarah Edwards 1998–2001
Tonya Edwards 1986–1990
Cindy Ely 1977–1981
Shyra Ely 2001–2005
Kyra Elzy 1996–2001
Peggy Evans 1990–1993
Sherri Fancher 1976–1979
Tye’sha Fluker 2002–2005
Susan Foulds 1979–1981
Valerie Freeman 1983–1985
Sheila Frost 1985–1989
Alex Fuller 2004–2009
Amy Gamble 1983–1984
Marci Garner 1974–1976
Teresa Geter 1997–1999
Bridgette Gordon1985–1989
Liza Graves 1975–1978
Amber Gray 2008–2012
Kathie Greene 1975–1976
Misty Greene 1995–1998
Debbie Groover 1977–1981
Aubrey Guastalli 2004–2005
Tanya Haave 1980–1984
Leanne Hance 1977–1978
Jerilynn Harper 1978–1979
Isabelle Harrison 2011—present
Lisa Harrison 1989–1993
Pat Hatmaker 1980–1984
Debbie Hawhee 1988–1992
Dena Head 1988–1992
Lea Henry 1979–1983
Chamique Holdsclaw 1995–1999
Alexis Hornbuckle 2004–2008
Karla Horton 1984–1987
Brittany Jackson 2001–2005
Gwen Jackson 1999–2003
Marlene Jeter 1990–1992
Dana Johnson 1991–1995
Glory Johnson 2008–2012
Michelle Johnson 1993–1995
Tiffani Johnson 1994–1997
Kellie Jolly 1995–1999
Janice Koehler 1974–1976
Tammy Larkey 1981–1983
Kara Lawson 1999–2003
Brynae Laxton 1995–1998
Cheryl Littlejohn 1983–1987
Alicia Manning 2008–2012
Michelle Marciniak 1993–1996
Pam Marr 1982–1986
Dawn Marsh 1984–1988
Ariel Massengale 2011–present
Melissa McCray 1985–1989
Nikki McCray 1991–1995
Courtney McDaniel 2000–2004
April McDivitt 1999–2002
Carla McGhee 1986–1990
Lisa McGill 1976–1979
Cait McMahan 2006–2009
Laurie Milligan 1994–1998
Nicci Moats 2006–2007
Zandra Montgomery 1977–1979
Loree Moore 2001–2005
Pearl Moore 1987–1990
Tasheika Morris 1990–2000
Karen Morton 1982–1983
Lindsey Moss 2005–2006
Sabrina Mott 1986–1987
Michelle Munoz 2001–2002
Cindy Noble 1978–1981
Kathy O’Neil 1976–1980
Mary Ostrowski 1980–1984
Candace Parker 2004–2008
Jane Pemberton 1975–1976
Shalon Pillow 1998–2002
Semeka Randall 1997–2001
Jill Rankin 1979–1980
Linda Ray 1981–1985
Dominique Redding 2003–2007
Emily Roberts 1976–1977
Patricia Roberts 1976–1977
Ashley Robinson 2000–2004
Debbie Scott 1988–1990
Joy Scruggs 1971–1975
Jan Seay 1977–1978
Shelley Sexton 1983–1987
Meighan Simmons 2010–present
Sydney Smallbone 2007–2011
Kim Smallwood 1995–1996
Melissa Smith 1989–1990
Tanika Smith 1993–1995
Michelle Snow 1998–2002
Kristie Snyder 1983–1984
Taber Spani 2009–present
Sydney Spencer 2003–2007
Kathy Spinks 1984–1988
LaShonda Stephens 1996–2000
Shekinna Stricklen 2008–2012
Sue Thomas 1974–1977
Pashen Thompson 1993–1997
Mina Todd 1980–1981
Paula Towns 1980–1984
Gay Townson 1986–1987
Jennifer Tuggle 1984–1988
Vonda Ward 1991–1995
Holly Warlick 1976–1980
Jackie Watson 1974–1977
Lisa Webb 1983–1988
Sa’de Wiley-Gatewood 2004–2005
Kamiko Williams 2009–present
Tiffany Woosley 1991–1995
Shanna Zolman 2002–2006
Acknowledgments
Writing a memoir with Alzheimer’s disease is an unlikely undertaking. Fortunately, there was abundant documentary material to draw on, primarily three lengthy sets of interviews between the coauthors of this book. The first two took place in 1997 and 1998, the voluminous tapes and notes of which still exist. The third occurred during the season of 2011–2012, as I dealt with the diagnosis and the task of trying to coach with the disease.
No one sees one’s life wholly, even under the best circumstances. I’m therefore grateful to all the family and friends who rounded out my memories with their own and reminded me of things I’d forgotten. My mother, Hazel; my sister, Linda; and my brothers, Tommy, Charles, and Kenneth, and their spouses helped me revisit my youth in Henrietta, Tennessee, and I thank them for that, and for their sustaining devotion to our family.
Many former Tennessee Lady Vols shared their recollections graciously, hilariously, and forgivingly. The omission of names or events is in no way reflective of their importance to me—if I included them all, this book would have numbered thousands of pages. I could write a separate chapter about each and every Lady Vol and care for them equally.
Tennessee’s current and former coaches Mickie DeMoss, Holly Warlick, Nancy Darsch, Dean Lockwood, Nikki Caldwell, Carolyn Peck, Jane Albright, and Al Brown literally lived these pages. Their loyalty and friendship survived every high and low and would have been worth the journey without a single championship. Thanks also to Billie Moore, to Bill Wall, and to all those coaches who shaped me in some way, none more so than our opponents, especially Jod
y Conradt, Vivian Stringer, Leon Barmore, Tara VanDerveer, Melanie Balcomb, Kim Mulkey, Joe Ciampi, Sharon Fanning, Nell Fortner, Sonja Hogg, Andy Landers, Theresa Grentz, Debbie Ryan, Gail Goestenkors, Carol Ross, and Wendy Larry. I wish Kay Yow and Sue Gunter were here to thank. I’m especially grateful to those who were kind enough to share their thoughts in formal interviews for the book: Marynell Meadors, Lin Dunn, Sylvia Rhyne Hatchell, and Geno Auriemma.
I owe the administrators and faculty at the University of Tennessee past and present, in particular my longtime friend Joan Cronan, four decades’ worth of affection and gratitude. I owe the same to all those on our support staff: the many people who worked in operations, academic support, sports medicine, and strength and training, who contributed so much to our success for so little credit. Kathy Harston in particular made it possible for me to continue working these last couple of years. To the donors who supported us through the years, I can only express my profound thank-you by saying, “Look what you built.”
Deepest thanks go to my old pal Jane Brown Clark for her many stories and pictures. And to the sisters of the Chi Omega house, particularly Esther Stubblefield Hubbard, Carla Witherington, and Mary Margaret Carter, for their long-standing friendship and steadfastness.
To all the doctors who have cared for me, consulted with me, and aided me, thanks to you I’m still standing.
Without the institutional memory, crack research, and devoted efforts of Debby Jennings, there would simply be no book. The same is true of the invaluable personal assistance of Katie Wynn and LaTina Haynes. During the writing of it, my friends Adam Waller and Danielle Donehew not only managed to help with some of these pages but also launched the Pat Summitt Foundation.
I am indebted to Tina Constable of Crown for her belief in this undertaking, and to Mauro DiPreta for his superb editing, and his care and patience in seeing it onto the page, and to Jessica Wallin for her help with anything and everything. I’m also thankful for the support and friendship of Esther Newberg of ICM on the project, as well as Tammy Blake, David Drake, and Meredith McGinnis at Crown.