While Pat Summitt won the celebrated battle with a raccoon last March, the victory came at a cost.
The Tennessee women’s basketball coach suffered a separated right shoulder in giving the raccoon a forearm shiver and knocking it off the back deck railing of her home. She said the shoulder has come out seven times since then.
As a result, Summitt underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery Thursday morning. Jenny Moshak, the Lady Vols associate athletic director for sports medicine, said Dr. Edwin Spencer and UT team orthopedists Dr. Russ Betcher and Dr. Greg Mathien performed the surgical procedure at Ft, Sanders West Surgery Center to address “recurrent instability problems with her shoulder.”
Summitt took on the raccoon because it was about to attack Summitt’s yellow Labrador retriever, Sally.
“I’m going to hit him with my left shoulder if he comes back,’’ Summitt said jokingly on Wednesday.
Summitt said she will be wearing a sling for six weeks.
“She will begin rehabbing the shoulder in about a week,’’ Moshak said.
Official team practice begins on Oct. 17. The season opener is Nov. 15 against San Francisco.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…











Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 13
Lofton4Three writes:
In a related story...Chavis ate the raccoon.
ncvol writes:
Hope all goes well for you, Pat.
We will be thinking of you.
Get a squirt bottle and fill it with water.Give that
raccoon a couple of spray and it should leave.
Saves the arm.....Go Vols
bowser writes:
That was no raccoon! That was Geno Auriemma in disguise.
RockyTopVolFan writes:
Take care of yourself Pat.
I am hoping you feel better soon and experience a fast, painless recovery.
Thank you for everything you do and have done for all of us in "Rocky Top".
ramblingamblin writes:
Probably hurt her shoulder patting herself on her back after getting another undeserved raise.
bowser writes:
Hey Geno, have you turned up again!
tenn32rebel writes:
ramblingamblin, DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU IN THE A## as you leave this story. Stupid comments like yours are not needed or wanted here. Go where you meet people who agree with you, like a big mirror room!
Take care, Pat. Get well soon. The Orange Nation loves the Lady Vols and their coach. GO LADY VOLS!!!!!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
4****, my man.
Anyone noticed how Chavis is becoming nearly as adept at coachspeak "spin" as his master.
MillisaAnn writes:
Get Well Pat, please take care of yourself.
Rockytop98 writes:
Was yours an undeserved raise? Sound too close to home, She just won which Championship?? We have the best BB coach, just enjoy it! It's fine if we get 9!! GO LadyVols!!
ladyvolsrock writes:
If Pat Summit does not deserve a raise no human does. 8 national titles, 17 games shy of 1000 wins, one of the best winning percentages in the country, and year after year the toughest schedule. You need to get a grip on yourself. Jealousy is so ugly.
ncvol writes:
Ditto ladyvolsrock....Pat deserves every dollar she makes...
Go Vols !
amcguire01 writes:
I have to disagree with the headline. Pat may had surgery, but she got her shot in first! Round 1, Pat, hands down.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.