Advertisement

Family, friends and former players at coach Pat Summitt's side

Former Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011. (AP)
Former Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2011. (AP)

Some of the best players ever to play for coach Pat Summitt at Tennessee traveled to Knoxville in recent days to hold the hand of the legendary coach who is struggling in her brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Summitt announced in August 2011 that she had been diagnosed with the disease. She went on to coach the 2011-12 season before retiring with eight national titles, 32 SEC championships and 1,098 wins. She coached the Vols for 38 seasons and became the winningest coach, regardless of gender, in NCAA Division I history.

WNBA stars Candace Parker and Tamika Catchings are among nearly 20 of those who traveled back to the city where they attended college in order to connect with their coach again over the weekend, The Tennessean reported. Many other former Vols and thousands outside the program have posted well wishes to the 64-year-old former coach on social media sites using the hashtag #PrayForPat

Summitt’s family is by her side and released a statement on Sunday that said in part, “The past few days have been difficult for Pat as her early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s Type progresses.”

President Barack Obama awarded Summitt the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. The University of Tennessee named both its basketball court and a plaza on campus in her honor and erected a statue of her in that plaza in 2013. Shortly after her diagnosis in 2011, she founded the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund aimed at raising money for Alzheimer’s research.

A lot of emotion this morning. Got the news Late last night abt Coach Summit. #PrayForPat Praying for all my Tenn sis as well???????? with y'all!

— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) June 26, 2016">

THANK YOU COACH PAT for being such an influential woman in my life and for inspiring me to continue to play the... https://t.co/7el3uhP0jZ

— Diamond DeShields (@DDDeshields) June 26, 2016">

All I can is #PrayForPat...at a lost for words. But thank you everyone who has reached out to… https://t.co/YYUnQ6NxwG

— Alexis Hornbuckle (@Hornbuckle14) June 27, 2016">

Truly irreplaceable! Our prayers are with you, your family, players, and friends. #PrayForPat pic.twitter.com/B90Se2sRKR

— RU Vivian Stringer (@cvivianstringer) June 27, 2016">

Touched by all your thoughtful tweets as we continue to #PrayForPat. Wearing orange this Monday morn @GMA in honor of my dear friend.

— Robin Roberts (@RobinRoberts) June 27, 2016">

Can't find the words right now, only thing I can say is #PrayForPat! ???????? pic.twitter.com/ujUqzcrLz0

— Butch Jones (@UTCoachJones) June 26, 2016">

Class and courage. #PrayForPat ???? pic.twitter.com/fqaxM9ibeM

— Stanford WBB (@StanfordWBB) June 26, 2016">

To Pat, the best role model a woman in coaching could have - she is what we all aspire to be. #prayforPat

— Muffet McGraw (@MuffetMcGraw) June 26, 2016">

Pat, you are in my thoughts & prayers. My dear trusted friend,May God be with you & your family. Your legacy will live forever. #PrayForPat

— Bruce Pearl (@coachbrucepearl) June 26, 2016">

Praying for @patsummitt. Sharing 19 yrs w her at UT was inspiring. I learned so much about coaching/leading/friendship from her #PrayForPat

— David Cutcliffe (@DavidCutcliffe) June 26, 2016">

Praying for Coach @patsummitt and her family tonight! #PrayforPat

— Josh Dobbs (@josh_dobbs1) June 26, 2016">

Love & support to Pat Summit, her family & loved ones. #PrayForPat

— Kenny Smith (@TheJetOnTNT) June 26, 2016">

– – – – – – –

[Kyle Ringo is the assistant editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at kyle.ringo@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!