Posted by norrisr on January 2, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like Ms. Parker has gotten the big head. Too bad, because I thought she was the real deal.

Posted by mparker on January 2, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

norrisr

are you nuts?? you don't know the reason or anything else. there is (and don't be too shocked!!!) the chance she just messed up while seeing some friends.

what a great, harsh world we live in.

Posted by orangesox on January 3, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What a message from Summit, though. If you think she will take s__t off people, you're crazy. Benching your star player in her "homecoming" game is hard core!

Posted by Cadesdad23 on January 3, 2008 at 12:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice job by coach Summitt of embarrassing the best player in the country.
I know, rules are rules, but some players do earn the benefit of the doubt and special considerations and Candace Parker is one of those players. This could have been handled in-house, with extra sprints or other punishment. Instead, Summitt sits Parker down in front of her entire family. If Parker was seen at a bar or something, that's one thing, but if she was just visiting family, how is that a punishable offense?
Parker could walk away from UT tommorrow and sign a six-figure endorsement deal, and I wouldn't blame her if she did.
Summitt is one of the greatest in the biz, maybe the greatest regardless of if its men's or women's hoops. But, in my opinion, she handled this one wrong.

Posted by rabidvol1998 on January 3, 2008 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cadesdad23 - What do you know about this situation that we don't? I think coach Summit has earned the right of benefit of doubt. I'd trust her over 99% of all decision makers I've ever known.

Posted by justisiscumin on January 3, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pat knows there is no I in team, and she CONSISTENTLY brings to bear the same consequences to all players equitably. Something the football coaches should learn to do. I am sure Pat was hurting as bad as Parker and her family but she did her a favor, and Parker's family appreciates that fact if they are who I htink they are, because they would want what is bets for Parker in the long run, and the discipline is exactly that. Tough lesson but one she will remember more than the dunks.

Posted by Cadesdad23 on January 3, 2008 at 12:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know any more than what's in the story. What I do know is I'm sure there are plenty of other disciplinary tactics Summitt could have used.

Parker will come out afterwards and say all the right things about the coach being right all of that, but I'm just stating one person's opinion. It was a game that meant a lot to a player and not just any player. The game is supposed to be about the players, right?

As I stated, I think Summitt is perhaps the best college hoops coach since John Wooden, so I don't question her ability as a coach. I just disagree with how she handled this situation, that's it.

Posted by hdhurst on January 3, 2008 at 12:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We can agree or disagree, but the bottom line is this:

This is Coach Summitt's team, not Candace Parkers.

Posted by utahvolsfan56 on January 3, 2008 at 1:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Rule are rules and you have to be consistent when enforcing the rules. I'm sure Coach Summit did not say at the first of the season these are the rules but they don't apply to Candace Parker. By the way look at how well Alex Fuller and Nicky Anosike played while Parker was on the bench. It was also great to have Holly and her expertise back. Great job GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Cadesdad23 on January 3, 2008 at 1:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Summitt has done a lot of great things but she has not scored one basket or blocked one shot. It's the players who win, not the coach. She does a lot to get them to that point, but ultimately it's the players who do the things that win games.
Pat Summitt makes a ton of money and deserves it all, but she needs to remember, also, that her salary is what it is because of the women who have played for her. Too often, college programs are all about the coaches, and the players, even great ones, get over looked while the coaches get rich and powerful and infallible in the eyes of some.

Read my posts, I never said that Parker should not be disciplined, I just said some other form of discipline could have been used to get the point across.

Posted by volfan73120 on January 3, 2008 at 1:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pat knows the circumstances of Candace missing curfew, and she gave the punishment she felt was proper. That is why she is a winner. It makes no difference what your opinion is. Get over it Cadesddad. Let Pat run the show. Now every one on this team knows what to expect if they break the rules.

Posted by tenn32rebel on January 3, 2008 at 3:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cadesddad,
"The game is supposed to be about the players, right?"

Here, I disagree with you as a former basketball coach. The game is about the TEAM and working with your teammate(s). This year's team has not played with the focus and determination that is necessary to win #8. Pat handled the situation well and the TEAM focused on the game and routed poor DePaul.

A team is just like a family. The parents are expected to lead and guide the children as they grow. Not all parental decisions are loved by the kids but they must be obeyed, mainly for the sake of the kids and the family.

The coach has to make tough decisions concerning their team's welfare and not all decisions are loved by the players, either! Yes, Pat may have had other options available to her but she choose a half game suspension.

Hopefully, the loss to Stanford and Parker's benching will get the TEAM focused on Lady Vol basketball. Last year, it took a humiliating loss to LSU to get them focused. Remember what happened after that?? GO LADY VOLS!!!!

Posted by ATLVOLFAN on January 3, 2008 at 5:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This do not show Candace " Big Head" this show how immature she is, I was upset at first then I thought about, it will show other players talent and the ladies played great without her. She just mad one mistake and it not the end of the world. This was the best game the team played all season and Candace did not play in the first half. Fuller played outstanding and should of started the previous games. Go Vols!!!!!!

Posted by madisonvillevol on January 3, 2008 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

you play you pay. what a breath of fresh air to see that there are still coaches who treat all the same. whether you are the best player in the country or a practice player, the rules apply to all, and if you break the rules. you will suffer the consequences. how cool is that? in basketball as in life, if there is no discipline, then you have nothing.

Posted by bustervols on January 3, 2008 at 7:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Candi, Candi, Candi I can't let you go.

Posted by Chrisoda751 on January 3, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My take on the situation is that Coach Summitt probably has a standing rule of sitting out a half if you miss curfew. If she broke it for Parker, then she would have lost the other players respect and probably Parker's as well.

Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

On one hand we have programs with no discipline. Then, when one of the greatest coaches that ever lived did what she should do, enforce the rules, we have people criticizing her. It was a very good lesson for all to see. Candace is a great player. She broke the team rules. It wasn't swept under the rug or taken lightly. It sent a loud and clear message. Thank you Coach for showing folks how a REAL coach creates a team that engages in continued success!

Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cadesdad23,

Wow. Coach Summitt had little to do with getting where she got. She didn't recruit the players she coached to all those Conference and National Championships and instill a true "team" atmosphere? You sound like the kind of person who thinks strong discipline in not acceptable. You and all the others who buy into that stupidity can take a look at all of the out of control programs all over the Country and quantify how truly idiotic that notion is. Maybe you should become Pat's Assistant so that you can "teach" her what is acceptable punishment, what is not and who if anybody should recieve it. By the way, your line, "Nice job by coach Summitt of embarrassing the best player in the country" is pathetic and makes you sound like a simpleton. Don't worry though, people like O. J. are right there with you.

Posted by volfan on January 3, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Perhaps there is a team rule that states that if you miss curfew then you will sit out the first half of the next game, just as there are probably set rules for being caught in a fight either on campus or off campus, I would guess that there is a rule in place for disciplining a player caught in a bar. Get the picture? Candace broke a rule and the punishment was administered. I would have loved to see Candace play the entire game in front of her family and friends, but rules are rules for ALL players, not just the wannabees, but for the entire team... star or not. I think that Coach Pat came out smelling like a rose in this situation. Think of all the recruiting possibilities, expecially where the parents are also involved. KNowing that their child will receive the same consideration as ALL others. I congratulate coach and her entire staff for the acomplishments that they have achieved. Hard-line and not wishy-washy in running a program of the highest caliber. A dedicated team, and this also includes the coaches, who plays by the rules and accepts what penalties are involved will have my greatest admiration. Go TEAM! Yea Pat and Candace, et al.

Posted by AlpharettaVol on January 3, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm glad that Pat Summitt is coaching the team and not Cadesdad23.

Posted by BioProf on January 3, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cadesdad23,

The only person that "embarrassed" CP was CP herself. You should be embarassed for whining; CP stepped up, accepted responsibility, accepted her punishment, and came out in the second half and gave what may have been her best effort this season.

Remember, she's a COLLEGE student, not SUPERWOMAN! As a college prof, I see students that have great talent not put forth their best efforts if they can get by with less. If you let a "talented" student get away with that, then you are not doing your job. WAY TO GO PAT!

GREAT GAME LADIES!

Posted by BioProf on January 3, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One more thing:

I'd much rather see a player miss half a game for a team rules violation than become academically ineligible . . .

Posted by fortandrews on January 3, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you Pat. You are the BEST. A few words of wisdom for Parker and THE TEAM: "life is not fair - get use to it", "If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss", "if you mess up, it's not your parents fault - so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them", and "your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT". In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life". NOW we shall see what kind of person Parker really is.

Posted by jdcdjc on January 3, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cadesdad23
You have rules and they should be applied across the board. These kids (and that is what they are) can lose respect real fast. Pat did the right thing and all the kids noticed it.

Posted by auttat on January 3, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Parker "manned" up and took responsibility. She knew the rules and knew how important it was that she be on time the night before. Let's put the blame where it belongs, on Parker. She knows it, why can't you?

Posted by b.skelton on January 3, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I love Pat and I love Candace. Coach Summitt made the right call. She has earned the right NOT be questioned by fans on issues such as these.

Posted by tigervol9802 on January 3, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Who wants to bet if this was UConn that Parker would have played?

Oh yeah, Summitt won't play them anyore, my bad!

Wonder how long until she finds an excuse to drop Texas now that Gail however-you-spell-it is there?

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on January 3, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I believe I've heard it all. Pat Summit taking flak from so-called "fans". Some people are never - ever - satisfied.

Here's an idea: Why don't you go dig up General Neyland's bones and yell at them? You could rake him over the coals for treating bowl games like vacations.

Good grief.

Posted by SCVolsFan on January 3, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hate Candace had to sit out the first half but
rules are rules. Even some of the best football players didn't get to go to the Outback Bowl.
She is an important player but it did give the other team members to show what they could do without her. She is still the BEST college player. Chalk it up as a mistake and just keep playing Lady Vol basketball. I do think they will win it all in 2008.

Posted by utvolz on January 3, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

958 wins gives Pat the right to handle the affairs of recruiting, coaching, and discipline any way she sees fit. Had this been Taurasi playing in front of her hometown Geno wouldn't dare think of sitting her the first half. That's why I'm glad we have the greatest coach to ever roam the court! Way to go Pat!

Frank in Miami

Posted by tigervol9802 on January 3, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Frank in Miami -

Good point. All Summitt cares about now is getting those wins so she can have the most. That's probably why she dropped UConn and won't tell anyone why. She doesn't want to admit she is going to gradually drop all the top teams so she can win more games.

Posted by martinvolfan on January 3, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cadesdad: There's a reason that Pat is the best coach of all time; It's called discipline. She's earned every right to make those decisions without anyone (even Candace Parker) questioning her. Pat wins because her players not only fear her, they respect her. Break the rules expect not to start. We need that kind of discipline on our football team.

Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802,

As you hide behind your screen name and cast dispersions on one of the greatest coaches of any kind of all time, please consider the following:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowardice

Posted by tigervol9802 on January 3, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff -

Thanks for the link, and you are correct.

I would consider Summitt a coward for not being up-forth and honest with the reason she is not playing UConn anymore. If it was a legitimate reason, I would assume she would be up-front about it. Pretty cowardly act, won't you agree?

Posted by BioProf on January 3, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802,

I fail to see the logic in your statement. If all Pat cared about were wins, she would have played CP. Thank God she's got the most integrity of any coach in any sport, college or pros.

And as far as UConn is concerned, Pat's decision has nothing to do with the level of competition (DUH!); it has to do with (I believe) the level of INTEGRITY/RESPECT/COLLEGIALITY (or the lack thereof) of certain UConn "personalities" (for lack of a better term).

Get off Pat's case and let her do her job! Give the woman the respect she deserves.

Posted by wewhite on January 3, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Benching Parker, I think, was one of the gutsiest thing I've ever seen Pat do. Wow! With her playing in front of her hometown crowd, with 60 of her friends and relatives not just in the audience but right behind the UT bench, with the national press press wanting to see the No. 1 player in the country and, perhaps, the best ever, Pat sent the message that everybody on her team is an equal. I seriously doubt that Fulmer would bench Ainge under similar circumstances; as for Bruce, I'd like to think he would've done the same thing. Pat is 100% pure class act all the way.

And a big bravo for all or our young players that stepped up and played like they were the starters that, one day, they will be! And to Nicky Anosike for being their leader!

This team has so much talent. It's the 90s all over again!

Posted by VOLS85 on January 3, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Whoah whoah whoah Tigervol, have you not seen the schedule that the lady vols played this year and every year? It's among the most difficult in the country, and she just won a national championship. In my eyes and about 99.9% of other vol fans, your assumptions are not only ludicrous, but unfounded.

Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802,

As you probably know, year in and year out we have played what has been recognized as THE toughest women's schedule in the Nation. In spite of that, look at how many Conference and National Championships we have. We STILL own the toughest schedule in the Nation. If I applied your logic, every other coach would have to be considered whatever the word that dwarfed cowards would be. There is no way any sane person could even in their wildest dreams call Coach Summitt a coward. Now, other than trying to antagonize folks with illogical things...please move on to another issue.

BioProf,

Well put.

Posted by tigervol9802 on January 3, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All I want is a legitimate reason from her mouth as to why she is not playing UConn.

Several of you have already said that your opinions are based purely on speculation. Well, until she gives a legitimate reason, so are mine.

Posted by johnlg00 on January 3, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802, I don't know why Pat dropped UConn and neither do you, but you must be insane to think that Pat is deliberately scaling down the schedule for any such reason as you imply. She is ALREADY the winningest college coach ever, and did it against the toughest competition, year in and year out, of any team at any level! No other college coach is EVER likely to catch her in wins. If I may guess, Pat dropped UConn because she strongly suspects, but cannot conclusively prove, that UConn (read Auriemma) cheated in recruiting Maya Moore. To air such charges in public without proof would simply sound like "sour grapes". As I said, I'm just guessing. In any case, Pat's reputation on and off the court is far beyond your poor power to besmirch, so keep yourself from looking like a fool by trying to do it. BTW, I have to wonder, as I think I may have before, what the "vol" in your screen name means, since it obviously doesn't mean that you are a fan of UT.

Posted by ctownvol on January 3, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tigervol- You have got to be kidding me! I live in the metro Atlanta area, and being around UGA fans, I have certainly heard some quite assinine comments, but you brother take the cake! What an idiot! Do the world a favor and get rid of your keyboard so the rest of us, with an IQ greater than a dirty dish rag don't have to listen to your ignorance.

Posted by jh43 on January 3, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I was very disappointed Candace was on the bench in her hometown area, but Pat Summitt showed the guts and character of a real coach.

Any player on the team knows they will be treated fairly. How many coaches have that much confidence which results in true respect?

Our team made a statement that we can win without Candace. That has to worry any opponent. Of course, we do not want to play without her, but everyone in the country saw that we can.

Great game! Great coach!

Posted by BioProf on January 3, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff,

I think "dwarfed cowards" would translate into "nano-chickens."

Kudos back at ya!

Posted by mad_poly_uct on January 3, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff...Happy New Year, hope you had great holiday season. Couldn't agree more w/ you're posts. Especially liked your last one!...tigervol9802....I'll take you up on that bet.Similar situations have indeed occured at Uconn with similar punishment.Rules are rules & I totally back Pat Summitt on her call.These 2 programs didn't get to where they are by catering to ANY player, no matter what their name is.....utvolz...had DT broken team rules before her homecoming game against Pepperdine several yrs. ago(which she didn't), Chris Dailey(associate head coach)& Geno may have just sat her butt the whole game.

Posted by tigervol9802 on January 3, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff -

No, the "coward" remark is simply this. When one of her players does something, they are held accountable. However, it seems to me she can make decisions and then offer "no comment" to them. Parker "manned up" to her actions. Summitt won't. Double-standard, cowardly, whatever you want to call it.

She holds her players to the highest standard, and therefore, I feel she should be held to it as well. When you end a big rivalry, I feel a reason is needed.

Posted by tigervol9802 on January 3, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And gents, thanks for taking the bait and helping to pass my morning!

Mission accomplished!

Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mad_poly_uct,

Happy New Year my friend! Good to see you again! Thanks for the input too! Keep those UCONN ladies rollin'!

Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BioProf,

Good one!

Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802,

That was a thought I expressed. Just an antagonist getting his/her jollies. What would be a good word for that BioProf? Sociopath in training maybe?

Posted by jclowers on January 3, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am glad to see that Pat Summit followed her own rules and kept Candace Parker on the bench. It is important to show your players that no matter who they are, if they screw up, they sit. I do not get how some people on this board complain about Summit sitting her because it was her "homecoming." If Phillip Fulmer suspended Ainge and we were about to play in Oregon, so Fulmer let him play because he "earned the benefit of the doubt," this entire bored would be full of people calling for Fulmer's head because he let's his star players do whatever they want. Great job by Pat Summit of following her rules. And besides Parker still scored 17 points in the second half.

Posted by mad_poly_uct on January 3, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802....As I've posted before in other articles, I no longer feel Pat needs to explain anything further regarding dropping Uconn.It's clearly evident(at least from this Uconn fan's perspective)that she told Geno her reasons in advance of her descision to drop Uconn & if he wished to go public, it was his choice.He hasn't & won't. At least until the season is over he says(we'll see about that too)The ball is squarely in his court(no pun intended!)...

Posted by BIGEJ on January 3, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well the opinions are like…well you know and they stink; so here is my stink.

Pat Summitt started a program with no money (she was winning then) to a multi-million dollar operation (she wins now; unlike other teams) that has graduated all players that stayed with the program; Most of her players can wear the torch bearer patch for academics and they can play a little basketball.

The UT Lady Vol basketball "band wagon" IS a very successful band that we as fans are lucky to enjoy.

These same opinions would slam the coach if discipline was not applied and the consequences created team issues, losses etc. Cannot have it both ways;

Remember the only person that ever held Michael Jordan to less than 20 points a game was Dean Smith, remember he applied the same discipline, ethics, etc. and he also built a some what successful program.

So, if you don’t like the bandwagon rules; Jump off and go whine somewhere else. There are many others that will gladly take the place and be a fan;

GO LADY VOLS….No: GO VOLS

Posted by MajorVol on January 3, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The Lady Vols have consistantly played one of the toughest schedules year after year. I would bet that even without playing UCONN, their schedule ranks in the top 3 or 4 toughest schedules in the country.

For anyone to suggest that she change the rules for Candace Parker or anyone else is incredibly stupid and totally against what Coach Summitt has stood for her entire career. Candace would agree with that I'm sure. Pat's the head coach therefore she owes no one except her boss an explanation for any decision she makes.

Posted by Volunteerfan on January 3, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802 and all you other so called "fans",
What in the world are you talking about? Why does she have to answer to you or anybody else for that manner. With the integrity and respectful program that she has developed, not the players, but her and her coaches that she has hired. Not to mention that ALL her players graduate from school, and there has never been an ounce of criticism from the NCAA for any violations. Also she plays the toughest schedule year in and year out. She has seven that's right seven national championships and 953 wins. Why does she have to give you an answer to why she did not play UCONN or bench her best player. She is getting paid millions of dollars to do a job that I think she has done pretty well.

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 3, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's your explanation, tigervol, as to Coach Summitt's decisions regarding personnel and schedule--- because she said so.
Your not entitled to any explanation that a coach makes. If they make poor ones then they'll be gone. In the mean time, it's hers to run and she doesn't need to make a statement every time she makes a move.
As far as any rational person is concerned, she's our coach until she says she's not our coach.
Pat Summitt is Lady Vol BB.

Posted by johnlg00 on January 3, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I did not mean to imply in my previous post that Pat has scaled down her schedule AT ALL, even without UConn. In fact, MajorVol, I will go even farther than you. I don't have any specific info to go on, but I suspect that UT's schedule is still the toughest in the country. In fact, if the NCAA gave an annual award for the toughest regular-season schedule, UT would have retired that trophy years ago. I would be willing to bet that UT would occupy at least 8 spots on any top-10 list of the toughest schedules of all time! Just my humble opinion, but I would love to see any factual refutation. Mad_poly_uct, thanks for your reasonable input. I do hope we get to the bottom of the cancellation of the UT-UConn series some day. Along with many other women's BB fans across the country, I am sorry it occurred, but I will trust Pat's decision at least until I have evidence that she was wrong to do so.

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 3, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)

Wins and graduates players!
Probably in large part because she's not an enabler and accepts no excuses.

That way any player that is too soft to make it, quits on her during practice instead of a game.

BTW, Candace Parker is plenty tough. She's not crying. She probably takes full responsibility for her actions.

Posted by scvols on January 3, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Where is the box score?

Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

skyhawk836,

Good posts!

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 3, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

skyhawk836,

Good posts!

--------

Thanks, I appreciate the heads up about this on the football board.

Posted by Death1969 on January 3, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is in response to CadesDad. You obviously have not watched Lady Vols basketball very long. Summitt has always treated every player the same, no matter how big of a star or role player they are. If they missed classes or had a curfew violation, then the punishment was the same for them all. Summitt has the best basketball program in the nation and she maintains that by following the same rules with every player.

I thought Candace would have better sense to her team to not miss that curfew, no matter what the reason. Candace is definitely one of the best players ever for the Lady Vols, but to Summitt in relations to her team, she is another player who broke the rules.

Posted by pdparker14 on January 3, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In response to Death1969:

I agree totally.

...And too the people who are saying that she might have had a good reason to miss curfew, I'm sure that if she missed curfew for for a good reason, coach Summitt would have taken that into consideration. Whatever her reason, it must have warrented punishment and I'm glad Candice is held to the same standard as everyone else.

...And too the person (cadesdad) who said that coach Summitt embarrassed Candice-how about Candice embarrassing herself. After all, she was the one who missed curfew, not coach Summitt. She is a veteran player who by now is very aware of the rules. She chose to break them and she paid the consequences.

And as far as I'm concerned mr. Cadesdad, if Candice wants to walk away right now and sign a six figure deal, let her go. She is a great player and I admit that she has changed to game in some aspects, but I still have not seen her play with the heart and grit of some other great Lady Vols of the past.

Posted by Mr_Bandman on January 3, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cadesdad23---you are an idiot, and you know nothing of the discipline necessary to work with young people, nor what giving special consideration to "star" players can do to destroy the group dynamic. Imagine how the others would feel if any of them had to sit for a similar infraction and Candace got off with a lesser penalty. Pat benched Holdsclaw in the championship game several years ago for not following the game plan. She benched Parker for breaking team rules. The only way to run a competitive organization from a disciplinary standpoint is to set a standard of conduct and consistently stick to it, no matter who or what. There's a reason that Pat Summitt is the the winningest coach of all time in her sport, and why she will top John Woodden's record for championships before she's done---she is in charge, she is consistent, she demands respect, and she is not to be challenged. Candace Parker did this to herself. Anyone who sees it otherwise is a complete idiot. Way to go, Pat---you are the best coach in any sport in the NCAA!!!

Posted by volchiq on January 3, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As someone else said, I imagine even as early as when she recruits that Pat lays out the rules that she expects the player to follow as a Lady Vol. That is why parents don't hesitate to send their babies to her.

Alexis didn't sit out half a game when they played for her family, because she had the self discipline to say to her family, "I have got to go so I don't miss curfew". Self discipline is what keeps a player shooting free throws when she had rather stop and blocking someone out at a shot ball. By setting rules and punishment she is making them better players and students. She is teaching Candace that if you don't have self discipline (leave her family on time or hustle on defense) that you have consequences (miss half a game or get beat down the floor).

Like getting up to go to work this morning...we all have to do what we don't want to sometimes.

Posted by utahvolsfan56 on January 3, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802 & johnlg00
I support Coach Summit and her staffs decision to bench Parker for violating team rules. Just because she is CP does not give her a free pass to do whatever she pleases. In regards to your questions regarding UCONN. Pat pulled UCONN from the schedule after Elena Delle Donne a 6'4' nations top senior announced she was would sign with UCONN. Elena had visited the UT campus earlier that month before announcing her decision to sign with UCONN. UCONN also signed Heather Beck 6'3' from Conneticut another top senior in the state of Conneticut. I have been watching a lot of NCAAW games and UT has a tough schedule but have you seen Rutgers?

Posted by tigervol9802 on January 3, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff -

Nope, just a guy bored at work on a Thursday morning.

Posted by 78ladyvol on January 3, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802,
I hate to say it but most of your posts are stupid especially when you made a asinine comment regarding UT's strength of schedule. I think someone already said it but they are always 1 or 2 in the country in that catergory!! It was time to move on from the UCONN- UT game. There are other talented women basketball teams and I think it is good for the game to see other rivalries forming and I believe UT whooped Texas pretty bad so I don't think Pat is scared of playing any team any where!!

Posted by mparker on January 3, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cadesdad23:

you may be reading too much into this. If the team rule is 'miss curfew and you sit a half', then there is not leeway for Pat to change that.

Now, I have no way to know if that is a standing rule, or if Pat leaves her options open. I know a lot of teams have pretty set things, for instance, if you are a boy and you don't wear a tie to an away game, you sit a half. If you miss the team bus, you don't play. (etc, etc).

I do think you are dead wrong in one respect: Candace hasn't earned squat by being the best player in the country when it comes to team rules. I'm all for the individual being equal to team (we are not japanese here), but I'm big on 'fair play'. Candace has earned the right to do some things on the floor that others can't do because of her talent. But, dammit, if the team rule is that every player shakes the ref's hand after a game, then she'd better do it, because that applies to EVERYONE.

Posted by jh43 on January 3, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone who questions Pat Summitt about ending the UCONN and UT series must have a problem distinquishing between what constitutes a quality individual and a jerk. Pat Summitt has proven, without a doubt, over a long period of time, that she is a quality person. Geno has proven, without a doubt, that he is a jerk. Why should Pat continue to help Geno be perceived to be more than he is? He has proven he does not deserve to be cast in the same light as Pat. I love beating UCONN, but Pat does not need Geno. Geno needs Pat. I am very proud and thankful we have Pat. I do not want anyone like Geno being associated with UT.

Posted by johnlg00 on January 3, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks, utah..., for providing Della Donne's name; I may have gotten this particular case wrong, but UT and UConn routinely clash over the nation's best players. I can only surmise that, in Pat's opinion, UConn either crossed some particular line in an egregious way, or crossed some more prosaic line once too often. I do NOT believe it was just a matter of being out-recruited on a level playing field. I think Pat is a big-enough person to accept getting beat out fair and square, since she has won a few of those battles herself. Also, not sure what you meant with your reference to Rutgers. They have played a good schedule for the past few years, and they do play both UT and UConn every year, as well as some other powers. However, I think Pat pretty much started that idea of consistently taking on the best year after year, and Rutgers, to their credit, followed that example. Until refuted by specific evidence, I stand by the general thrust of my remarks.

Posted by bustervols on January 3, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm just glad the rest of the team can manage without her. She's so dominating. That's HOT. Sittin' out, that's cold. Winning with Coach Summit, that's spot on!

Posted by BioProf on January 3, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jh43,

Well said!

Posted by BioProf on January 3, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was thrilled with the way the ladies played without CP. Fuller and Anosike really stepped up and played their best ball this season. I think that bodes very well for us in postseason, especially with Baugh and Smallbone getting better each game.

I think Pat may have had several things in mind when keeping CP out the first half. I don't know anyone who's any better at turning negatives into positives.

Posted by mad_poly_uct on January 3, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

utahvolsfan56....the series cancellation occured in May or June I believe. At the time EDD had not made up her mind, and then issued statement she would not make any decision until the end of summer & was taking the summer off from all hoop related activities & issues. She made her oral commitment to Uconn on Aug.28/29 if I recall.The hoopla over the series being scrapped was fairly old news by the time Della Donne made up her mind.Heather Buck is good, but she needs to "beef" up a bit.She's pretty thin for her 6'4" frame to withstand the rigors of a Div.1 hoop team.I think the bulk of the speculation over Pat Summitt's desicion to not extend Uconn series has more to do with the recruitment of Miya Moore(I think I spelled that wrong).Belive me, any further info from your end(Tn. fans that is) is greatly appreciated.

Posted by russ on January 3, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why don't they have the kiss cam at the lady vol games??

Posted by daddyaxe on January 3, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WAY TO GO SUMMITT...GREATEST COACHING MOVE OF ALL TIME...SENDS A MESSAGE TO THE REST OF THE NATION...YOU PLAY FOR TENNESSEE AND YOU HUSTLE AND PLAY BT THE RULES...ON AND OFF THE COURT...JUST THINK IF WE HAD A FOOTBALL PROGRAM THAT WAS RAN LIKE THAT...I DOUBT THERE WILL EVER BE ANOTHER BASKETBALL DUO LIKE SUMMITT AND PEARL IN OUR LIFETIME SO ENJOY VOL NATION IT WILL NEVER BE LIKE IT IS NOW....EVER...WAY TO GO PAT..SHOW THE WORLD WHO IS BOSS AT THE SUMMITT

Posted by fortandrews on January 3, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For crying out loud. Why did tigervol9802 bring up the UConn crap. That has nothing to do with what Pat did "FOR" Candace. Let's stay on the subject - by the way where were all of the so call "know it all's" when the girl from Maryville was given a little attention and had to stay home because of "something" she did - wonder if she broke a rule. When CP gets into pro bb do you think they have rules. She will be an employee - not a student getting a free ride. And you think Pat is too tough. Parker hasn't seen "tough" yet. Again THANKS Pat.

Posted by adimatteo on January 3, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I assume that the established rule for the violation was to sit out. Thus I commend coach Summitt for doing so. At the same time, I think nothing less of Parker, she was, is, and will be a great player and she has been a wonderful student athlete at UT. This does not mean she is any less of a person either. She is a college student, made a mistake, suffered. No more no less. These are kids, who have more on their plate than most kids their age, they are allowed to make errors, and I commend them for doing what they do. Most kids their age could never juggle all the responsibility.Everyone of these girls should be proud of what and who they are, and I wish them continued success,they deserve it for all the hard work, and I am thankful that UT has a program like this with its coaches and players doing what they do so consistently.

Posted by dkerr on January 3, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Russ, were you at Panic New Years?

Posted by andefromtn on January 3, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If Candance wasn't bent out of shape by the way Coach Summitt handled things why are others? I have followed the Lady Vols from the days at Alumni Gym and Pat has benched a number of players over the years for a variety of reasons. If the likes of Holdclaws, Gordon, Frost, Snow, Warwick and others were sat down for rules violates, poor play or number of other reasons then Candance Parker is not above them. She is a great player but nothing destroys a team faster than "special treatment". What would happen if Candance were injured in the next game? How would the rest of the players have felt about stepping it up if Pat had side-stepped this and allowed her to start?

She may have been out with her family but that does not relieve Candance from her responsiblity to her teammates and coaches. Pat did the right thing and I truly believe that Candance and her family understands this. They have one son who is a profession athlete and another son who is doctor. This player and family are top notch and Candance showed it in her after game interview comments.

Posted by dburgin0114 on January 3, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Summitt had no choice but to sit her down, the penalty was well know to all. The bottom line is, do you enforce your rules or not, star or sub. As a parent we all known, if the penalty is clear/well known, we have no choice.

Posted by hawkvol07 on January 3, 2008 at 5:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I really respect Pat Summitt and this move shows why she is the legend she is. I love Parker but she is not bigger than the game or Tennessee Lady Vol basketball and Pat proved that. Huge props go to Pat Summitt!! She has gained even more respect from me and I am sure from the rest of her team. Big props go to my girl Alex Fuller ( a real cutie that can play) scored a career-high 19 points and Nicky Anosike.

Posted by pdhuff on January 3, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

She has the Grail. She can do about anything she wants. Pat, you da' the bomb. Pearl is lifting the men's program. Somebody is doing something other than staying the course.

Posted by vols76 on January 3, 2008 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802.....Why does LSU not play Texas, Why are they not playing Stanford, and for that matter why are they not playing N.C.

Why does UConn not play Texas? Schedules are sometimes made up 10 years in advance and you are concern why we are not playing UConn. We will play them every year if both UConn and Tennessee advance in the tourney. Why didn't we play UConn last year in the tourney......because they didn't make it through it. The funny question is why do we only hear from you when you want to be negative? Do you not know any postive comments to make?

Posted by tngeoff on January 4, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802

Delta Kappa?

Posted by inswhiz on January 4, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If this was a one time thing then i can understand it and think Coach Summitt handled it very well, after all, Coach been around for a while and knows how to deal with minor things like this. However Candice Parker MUST realize that if the Vols are to be champs again, Candice must be the leader and mentor to younger vols of what TO DO and what NOT TO DO. I am a Vols fan and hope Candice takes a much serious role in being a leader the remainder of the season.

Posted by lnbadger320 on January 4, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cadesdad23 i bet you're the same type of guy who would gripe about how the UT football team doesn't have any discpline. it's pretty black and white. she missed curfew. i'll a coach's word who's the winningest ball coach in history. how funny what that comment.

Posted by tigervol9802 on January 4, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff -

Not bad.

Posted by tngeoff on January 4, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802,

Elvis impression here: Thank ya' Thank ya' vera much!

Posted by tigervol9802 on January 4, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff -

Hope you got a good laugh out of rereading my insanity now.

Posted by tngeoff on January 4, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802,

Absolutely! Have an awesome day Bro'!

Posted by Anosike55Fan on January 6, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great game by Anosike and Fuller!

Posted by cp3fan on January 11, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am the biggest cp fan but i totally agree with coach summit. why should cp get more privalleges then the other players. if any of the other players were late than they would have the same punishment. It was just a shame that it was this game she was late before. oh well she is still a great ball player and there will be other games. I believe that they are playing them again next year so candace can play them if she stays. I still say way to go Coach Summit for inforcing the rules. I am sure her family understands