After four Tennessee men's basketball players were arrested on New Year's Day, coach Bruce Pearl sent a text message to Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt saying that he was sorry if the incident somehow tarnished her women's basketball program.
Summitt has responded with support for her coaching counterpart. She said Tuesday that she went by a Vols practice, gave Pearl a hug and said, "I'm here for you."
"This is just flat-out difficult, Summitt said, "but eventually it will all be over."
When asked how her program has managed to avoid problems of this magnitude, Summitt said, "I don't know. . . . We've been fortunate.
"I've pretty much set the specifics of what will keep you in the program and what might keep you from being a part of it."
Sophomore forward Glory Johnson described Summitt as "strict" and added "she gives respect so we take it, and we give her respect."
Johnson said that the Lady Vols benefit from their group dynamics.
"We all bond and knowing that we're not going to get in trouble if we stick together,'' Johnson said. "We tend to stick together whenever we do group activities. I think that would help any team and if you're with your own team and one person is doing something wrong, the whole team is not going to do it. So just stick with your team and have faith in your team. They'll tell you whether you're doing something wrong or not."
Second Wind: Angie Bjorklund, the Lady Vols' leading scorer at 16 points per game, has been a second-half shooter this season, hitting at a 60.2 percent clip (41-for-68) after halftime.
The junior guard has been especially hot from 3-point range after the break, hitting at 69.2 percent (27-for-39).
Bjorklund was 6-for-8 from the floor and 4-for-5 on treys in the second half against Oklahoma on Sunday night. She scored 16 of her team-high 25 points during the final 20 minutes of UT's 96-75 victory.
Leading into the SEC opener against South Carolina on Thursday, Bjorklund is 130 points shy of reaching 1,000 career points.
Not Enough: With her triple-double against Oklahoma (17 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists) Lady Vols point guard Shekinna Stricklen had enough statistics to be a worthy candidate for SEC player of the week honors. But she didn't have enough games.
LSU's Allison Hightower took the award. She was the leading scorer in three victories. She had 18 points and a career-high six steals against Xavier. The senior guard set a career high for SEC play with 23 points against South Carolina on Sunday.
Before Oklahoma, Stricklen missed all but three minutes of last Wednesday's game against Old Dominion after suffering a knee injury.
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 50
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
Message to Pat: You have run a squeaky clean program for 35 years, keep it up and don't let this happen to the LV.
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
1,017 wins.....don't change a thing. Support BP but remember, TRUE Vol fans know YOU are THE coach...
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Most people will do what is expected of them. Coach Summitt lets her people know that her expectations are high. She lets them know that she believes they CAN meet her standards and will not settle for won't.
JMHO.
crimsonviper writes:
I can't speak for all Tide fans,but some that I know and myself included have absolute respect for Pat Summitt...She has taken the Lady Vols to a place other schools only dream of...IMO
dwa7#337691 writes:
predict
UT Vols Men 77
Charlotte NC'ers 72 (I hope)
Wiley32 writes:
What happened to the good ole days when things like this never made it to the media. The authorities should have taken the guns and drugs away, drove them over to Coach Pearls house and left him to handle the situation. After a trip to the gym (and ALOT of running and throwing up) the kids would either shape up or out of the program...
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Coach Pat Summitt IS the University of Tennessee. She not only recruits players for their skills, but also their character. She lets them know what is acceptable and what is not. If you don't play defense, you sit....if you don't rebound, you sit.....too many turnovers, you sit....and if everybody plays without giving their all...the whole team runs, pukes, etc...whatever it takes. And the most important one is that if you do something that is unacceptable or embarrassing to the Lady Vols and the University of Tennessee...."You are gone!" I do hope CBP will take her wise advise.
VOLS....TCB...Keep on keeping on....GBO!!!!!!!
knoxdaniel#213742 writes:
How can you not give Stricklen SEC player of the week? Can we not say rigged? Regardless of how many stats she plays, she isn't the ball hog like Hightower is for her team. I can't believe that when I saw it!
movol53 writes:
Maybe Bruce needs to upgrade his players. Pat has a 100% graduation rate over 35 years!!!! Using last year as an example of a below year for the Lady Vols; yes we were disappointed however, we know that Pat recruits the best and the brightest - - so the turn around is under way. I for one would prefer to have teams that play smart and with their heart and soul for Tennessee; than to have players who just want to play BB. If they play smart, with heart and soul the wins will come and the VolNation will always be with them. These last two events (involving one football and one basketball)are inexcusable. I know they are just youngins but they should know the difference between right and wrong. Many young kids look up to these players and this is NOT what we want them to see. And this is NOT how we want UT to be "seen" by others.
lomas98 writes:
I have a lot of respect for what Pat Summit has accomplished. I admit I don't watch womens basketball on any level, but I respect what the women do. However, how many women sports programs across the country, and not just at TN have players who are getting into any trouble. I can't think of a single thing a woman athlete has done at any school such as drugs, DUI, robbery, assault, etc. I can think of male athlete problems at multiple schools just last year alone. I don't think you can compare the womens and mens athletes when it comes to getting in trouble.
movol53 writes:
Lady,
Looks like you and I are in agreement.
See my post second one below yours.
What does TCB mean?
Go Lady Vols!!!!
utvolz#637682 writes:
Coach Pat Summit is the baseline by which all computer models should be based upon when building the perfect basketball coach. Smart, demanding, able to add new and the right coaches as others leave the nest for bigger opps,,,yep, she's my choice. And BTW, 8 National Championships doesn't hurt ones resume either! Not impressed with 8 National Championships? OK, how about a 100% graduation rate? GO LADY VOLS!
USMCVOL4LIF writes:
I have to agree.
charles57#1378642 writes:
To lomas98 Women are smarter than us guys! :-)
USMCVOL4LIF writes:
I agree, CBP has been great for the bball program and we should all look back about five years ago. This is one incident, although a big one, especially after what happened a couple of months ago. The coach will always have to take responsibilty for their players actions even though they can't control what decisions they make. I would think all of our players will be reminded of these incidents for years to come by CBP & CLK.
TommyJack writes:
TCB = Takin Care of Bidness
pdhuff#552644 writes:
She is a corch on a highest plateau.
Ironcity writes:
Lady you must not have been around in the early 80's. That bunch party there A**es off. Some of what I saw was pretty crazy. Didn't see any of them get kicked off the team. Didn't see any of them puke (unless they drank to much).
mytrifecta writes:
I wish coach Summitt would take the AD position. No one would bring more immediate respect to the university than her.
hcjournals#206623 writes:
I love Coach Summitt. there, I said it. Coach Pearl is a good egg also. If Lane decides to stay he will be too. We are lucky. Lay the law down. don't be a hard case. Just lay it down......Guns.....out......Drugs.........out...The chronic will be the hard one........
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
I see someone answered your question already. I mainly took it from "Respect" from Aretha Franklin....after she spells out respect, she says, "Take care....TCB...." And there was that song by BTO.."Taking Care of Business". I'm glad you asked. I ask questions too when people post something that I don't know what it means. Glad you are a true Vol fan!!!
VOLS....TCB...Keep on keeping on....GBO!!!!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
I really hope thats not you, Petey....putting words in my mouth again. Big Bear...I only posted about her recruitments and her discipline. I did not say one negative thing about CBP. I did say I hope he takes her advice, but thats all! Believe it or not, I agree with you about CBP and I have been a BIG fan of his since his arrival at UT. He has brought excitement and fans back to UT basketball and I really like the guy! I never said a bad thing about him in that post or to get rid of him or anything. I also thought it was very classy for him to apoligize to the VolNation when he first found out about the mess. So you need the read the post again and also know that I support CBP along with you and many others!
VOLS....TCB....Keep on keeping on.....GBO!!!!!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Ironcity....We all know what you are and who you are....a blow hard! If you can't name names, the date, and times, and you can't prove that CPS knew of that....well like I said. But the MAIN point that you need to realize is that apparently, YOU didn't see or able to comphrehend in your English classes, if you ever attended high school, much less Elementary school, you did not learn the difference between THERE and THEIR! That leads me to believe that you never saw shiate! Now go back and try to put your barbie puzzle together!
VOLS....TCB.....Keep on keeping on.....GBO!!!!!!
jojovol writes:
I agree 100%. It would be wonderful if the "Pat for AD" movement would snowball from here. If anyone deserves to break the glass ceiling, it is coach Summitt.
YankeeVol writes:
I think that method is fine - but not when you are talking about multiple felonies. Can you imagine what would happen if they did that, and word got out? That would be 10 times more embarrassing for UT.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
Trouble just don't happen to women's programs as a whole not just with Pat. Honestly the only thing I can think of that has gone negative for a woman's program even nationally: LSU with Pokey Chatman and that happened when she was a grad assistant and most recently girls from Mizzou charged with assault but found to be innocent. I can't really think of anything else. Do women do such things, that would bring negative attention to the University?
vet4ut writes:
Devil's advocate...
What else is a women's college basketball player to do other than graduate. Until the very recent past, pro-ball wasn't an option. Was a player going to leave early and go to Europe and play?
And what is the average graduation rate for women's bball vs men's? How many women's players get dismissed or have run-ins with Johnny Law? Not just at UT, but nationwide.
I would venture that behavioral issues aren't an issue at UT the same as any other college. Girls don't act like boys.
It's like comparing apples to oranges.
ladivolfan writes:
It all comes down to male vs female. It starts in high school and is all about maturity. I see female athletes in high school. They are so busy playing sports they know there is only room and time for one or two more activities and they seem to choose academics, church activities and/or jobs/volunteering by nature. Males on the other hand are not as mature in high school and they will choose their buddies, their girlfriends or partying. By the time they get to college, females are even more mature and have tended to be on that right track all along. The guys have just reached that point where they have to make a new decision - concentrate on the academics and staying out of trouble or continue along the path they have been on all along. Unfortunately, many do not know how to do anything but continue the way they always have.
My attempt with this post is not to put down or lift up either gender, but simply to state what I have witnessed over the years personally. Either way no matter what path has been chosen by the individual, male or female, the individual is responsible for their own choices and must face up to that responsibility. Fault lies only within the individual and no one else.
TotalPackage1 writes:
Off point but curious as to you're opinions......when Coach Summitt calls it quits, will the next coach come from inside or outside and either way, how successful do you think they will be? Coach has built a dynasty, akin to Coach Bryant and will it continue?
BigRMan writes:
Bruce Pearl is very sensitive to how Coach Summitt might have viewed the incident with his players. She showed class typically befitting her stature by lending support to him. I guess you can't always know everything about the character of those that are recruited to play collegiate athletics. However, I think Bruce will make every effort to be more discerning in his future activities regarding recruiting. More structure and discipline can help police future trouble areas. Coach Summitt recruits, teaches, coaches and produces good citizens. People that are solid contributors to whatever their chosen vocation becomes after basketball on both the collegiate and pro level. You know a Lady Vol exudes positive values and principles. No LV player or grad has ever been in difficulty with the authorities. They are all glowing reflections of their collegiate experience under Coach Summitt at UT!
tartarsauce writes:
afraid the all hanging out together theory didnt seem to work for the mens basketball players, there group activities included loaded guns and drugs. in the end these are still young men who have not fully matured and are going to make mistakes, hope they rebound from this and does not have prolonged effects on their lives
BigHornBuckShot writes:
Go for it Coach! Go by the tanning bed, get her to put her cheerleading outfit on and have a great time. What are friends for?
98reax writes:
Someone posted earlier: "You just didn't hear about it with Tarasi and some others until after they left college. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall to see Pat chew Tarasi about her representation if she had been a Vol. But then again, Tarasi never had the class to be a Lady Vol."
Oh yes! Winning is great and Pat has done it more than any coach in the country. Imagine how many wins/championships she might have IF she were the kind of person who would compromise morals.
Case in point, the one incident, I believe involved a player's living arrangements off-season. A key player in question, (95/96) a very valuable, talented athlete was dismissed in a split second. Another, I remember, involved a questionable exam (academic) outcome. That player was given one option, goodbye. There have been scant other violations which resulted in dismissals, albeit few in comparison.
IMO, these athletes were issued a dishonorable discharge. They were guilty of a violation but not a criminal act. Is Pat fair? I believe she is consistent in her discipline. She does not wait around for a situation to escalate. She is not afraid to nip it in the bud. I like that about her. This poster believes a 'zero tolerance' philosophy will work for either gender. If rules are in place, they've been set for a reason. Why allow ANYONE to bend without discipline?
Bottom line is, Pat is courageous. Her priorities are in place and will not be compromised. (the geno stuff) She is willing to take the heat to protect the integrity of the program. Yes, she would be an excellent AD, but I feel quite confident she will uphold the same philosophy as long as she fills a leadership position
LdyVolFaninKS writes:
You must have missed the story here within the last month about the 2 Missouri women's basketball player's that were suspended for beating up a male cheerleader. The charges were dismissed as they beat him up because he was assaulting their room mate!!
98reax writes:
I'm listening to The Animal talk show now as a caller just offered the comment that "the 4 UT basketball players" should be given a 2nd chance because everyone has smoked marijuana and took a fast ride with guns and alcohol in the car. Now that, my fellow-posters, is the kind of mentality that has given these athletes the OK to do whatever they please.
Maybe we've all smoked dope. Maybe we have driven a vehicle while smoking a j, perhaps we've had some drinks at the same time. Have we had our illegal weapons in the car too? Have we been scholarship players on a D1 university sports team and made such an asinine decision to create these idiotic scenarios? Do we deserve a 2nd chance? Good grief no, not at my university!
shoelessvol#236864 writes:
As some posters have eluded to, Coach Pearl has given meaning and brought a passion to our basketball program unseen in years. I beleive that he will sincerely do what is best for the overall good of the program first and then these players that are envovled. We are all embarassed by this turn of events, but, in the long run the program will survive and will be stronger in the future! Now is the time that we all must get behind CBP and those Vols that will be playing now and in the future with our fullest support. Whatever happens it will be an interesting ride with I'm sure many ups and downs. Hopefully the passion will not die and true Volunteers will rise back to the top! GO VOLS!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Based on everything we have read so far, there is only ONE POSSIBLE felony involved in this whole admittedly-sorry mess. That one would be IF the Federal authorities chose to bring a charge over the gun with the altered/obscured serial number. I'm not a lawyer, but my guess is that the Feds would not spend the time and resources to bring a case over that issue. ALL the other offenses alleged are MISDEMEANORS.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Many years of crime statistics show that women are about 1/10th as likely as men to commit crimes of most types. There is no category of crime in which women offend more often than men, either on average or in absolute terms. Incarceration rates for women are in about the same proportion. Women just do NOT push the social envelope as hard as men, across all time and all societies.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Speaking for myself, my two top choices for Pat's successor are Nikki Caldwell or Kelly Jolly Harper. Both are proving themselves to be rising stars in the coaching profession, are very close to Pat personally and professionally, and are fondly remembered by all Lady Vol fans. There will also no doubt be a lot of support for Holly Warlick. Any of those three would, IMHO, be worthy successors.
The_Truth_and_nothing_but_the_Truth writes:
My comment is not towards Pat Summitt or the Lady Vols, just the idiots that keep trashing Diana Taurasi (please note the spelling).
When you lose, you always look for someone to blame. Yes, Diana had a misstep, something that doesn't really add to her resume. Also part of her resume is three NCAA Championships in four years and slamming the door on many Lady Vols fingers.
Lisa Leslie upon retiring proclaimed Diana Taurasi is now the #1 active female Basketball player in the world.
If you lose, try looking within, not blaming somebody else.
98reax writes:
To you, ADONKEY"SREARETURNS, she says it succinctly the first time. She doesn't have to eat nor repeat her statements. Learn from that.
richvol writes:
Glory said it all...if you are with your teammates they will tell you what's wrong and keep you out of trouble. Well, what about Tyler Smith? He told his teammates that they should get some guns,pot,alcohol and drive around speeding in someone elses car on a busy section of the interstate in the middle of town. The question is,do you want this type of leader being the CAPTAIN of your team? DUH...
fortandrews writes:
In response to USMCVOLS4LIF: Were you around when Mears came to UT. Who do you thinks came up with the "Big Orange" and some of the other programs he started while he waS PULLING the BB out of the basement. Who do you think put CM in the hospital. B King who also was the one who "borrowed" the TV set out of the A Ofc..
BigRMan writes:
Hey 98: Barney Fife would have said, "Nip it in the bud," Only he'd have followed it with an Andy. (LOL)-Maybe these guys were trying to emulate Gilbert Arenas (LOL)-As far as Leslie saying Tarausi is now the #1 female basketball player in the world-WRONG! (Lisa that is)-Candace outdistances the whiskey guzzler by a mile! Brittney Griner is rapidly gaining on Candace. Lisa Leslie was just sour since she retired with half the number of WNBA titles as Cynthia Cooper, and she could never knock Coop's Comets out of the Western Conference finals!
VolWoman writes:
I agree. Candace won 2 national championships without anywhere near the supporting cast Diana had her first 2 years.
ruggy writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
BigRMan writes:
Mike, Knucklehead, Hornbuckle's Wal Mart incident was BEFORE coming to UT. Lex is now a model citizen! So Shut UP About That!-On a lighter note: If we could strike up the I'll Be There For You chorus, we could bring back Phoebe, Rachel, and the whole Friends Cast! What a Revival That Would Be!
ladivolfan writes:
On the tattoes, Pat doesn't allow them to have tattoes that show. If they already have one, it must be covered up. Candace Parker had a Bible verse tatooed around her wrist, but had to cover it with a wrist band. Tatooes that are visible are trashy. That's one of the reasons I never liked Duke because of that player (Chubby Checker's daughter) that had the tattoo and proudly displayed it. That and the whole crazies thing.
BigRMan writes:
Chubby Checker's daughter has a name: Mistie Williams (Bass maiden name)
98reax writes:
Mikey, most LV fans have the intelligence here in the real world to know uconn players are top notch athletes. I don't have to bash your world and I would appreciate if you would just understand that and keep your critique on point and peaceful.
I am pretty sure you have no personal relationship with the huskies or their coaching staff any more than I have with our Lady Vols. If you do have such a bond, that's all the more reason to keep that to yourself. All the stats you bring in here are common knowledge for all who care to go looking for them. I have no interest in the huskies. My reasons are just that, my reasons.
I do enjoy this message board and I enjoy reading and sharing opinions of interest to the Lady Vols and their opponents. I am thankful that uconn is not on our schedule. I know why and I respect that decision. If I never saw a post from Mike_From_Whatever, I would not be saddened.
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