Why SEC women's basketball officials with purple whistles is tribute to Pat Summitt
The SEC's "We Back Pat Week" begins Thursday for the 12th season.
The weeklong initiative brings awareness and recognition to the Pat Summitt Foundation, which is dedicated to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Lady Vols basketball players will wear special alternate jerseys with purple accents, and this season, for the second time, officials can get in on the purple accents, too.
Game officials have the opportunity to purchase and use purple whistles and wear a "We Back Pat" patch on their pregame jackets. All proceeds go to the foundation — officials raised more than $7,000 last year.
Tennessee's "We Back Pat" game will be against in-state rival Vanderbilt at home on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
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Summitt, the legendary Lady Vols coach, was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2011, which is when she created her foundation with her son, Tyler Summitt. The foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations that advance research for treatment and a cure. It also provides support for patients and caregivers and raises awareness about Alzheimer's disease.
The check presentation at last year's "We Back Pat" game in Knoxville totaled nearly $144,000 in donations to the foundation.
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Lady Vols basketball: Officials' purple whistles a Pat Summitt tribute
