The Helen Ross McNabb Center didn't realize what a bargain it was getting when it teamed up with Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt six years ago.

Back then, she had won six national championships and was recognized as the best in her profession. That's all.

Six years later, after winning another national title last month, she's still recognized as the best in her profession. But she's also recognized as the coach who dressed up in a cheerleader's costume and sang "Rocky Top" on national television. And she's recognized as the coach who appeared with Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show."

Only in the last few weeks has Summitt fully realized the impact of that national television exposure.

"It's more when I travel," said Summitt, whose golf tournament at Cherokee Country Club on Monday benefited the McNabb Center, a regional, not-for-profit system of mental health, substance abuse and social services.

Not only does she notice more people recognizing her. She notices more people almost recognizing her.

"I had a couple of people go, 'We know you. Aren't you Pat Summerall?' " Summitt said.

As Summitt waited between flights in an Orlando Airport, a number of fans approached her. Finally, an elderly couple sitting nearby couldn't help but ask, "We're sorry, but who are you?"

Another couple from Europe asked the same thing.

"That was actually a breath of fresh air," Summitt said with a smile.

Summitt sees the recognition as a testament to how women's basketball has grown since she won her last national championship in 1998. But she realizes it's not all about basketball.

Performing at the halftime of the Florida-Tennessee nationally televised men's game did wonders for her recognition.

"By the time I picked up my phone, my voice mail was full," she said. "I had never had that many text messages in my life. Some people I didn't even know."

The critiques included: "phenomenal," "great" and "stick to your day job." Summitt sided with the harsher critics.

In preparation for her singing debut on national television, Summitt sang "Rocky Top" repeatedly at home. Her mother, Hazel, and son, Tyler, kept telling her how great she sounded.

After singing at halftime, Summitt decided to go home and watch the second half of the game on television.

"At a commercial, I flipped over to SportsCenter," Summitt said. "They were playing (her song). I looked over at Mom and said, 'You told me I sounded good. I was awful.' "

Summitt was probably the only one who thought that. And even if she had been awful, it's unlikely anyone in East Tennessee would have said so.

Her popularity stems only in part from what she does on a national stage, sports or otherwise. Never mind the increased success or demands. She hasn't backed off her local commitments.

The Helen Ross McNabb Center is only one of three to five charity ventures she's involved in each year. She was drawn to the McNabb Center after visiting the facility with her team years ago.

"Sometimes in coaching, you've got blinders on," Summitt said. "(That visit) really opened my eyes to the facility. It's a difference-maker for families, adults and kids in a variety of ways."

And with Summitt's help, perhaps it will make more of a difference.