Country music star Con Hunley was singing the praise Monday for the Helen Ross McNabb Center and Pat Summitt.
So were a lot of other people participating in the Pat Summitt Golf Tournament at Cherokee Country Club.
Hunley, who was born and raised in Knoxville, is a longtime friend of the former Tennessee women's basketball coach.
"I played music around here for years, and I used to do some celebratory events at her house after the basketball season and stuff," Hunley said before teeing off on the 10th hole. "We've known each other a long time. She's always been fond of my music, and I'm grateful for that. It's just a great thrill for me to be out here and be able to play in her tournament. It's a great turnout, too."
The tournament benefits Knoxville's Helen Ross McNabb Center, a not-for-profit community mental health care organization that has served East Tennessee since 1948.
Summitt, who announced last August that she was diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type, stepped down after 38 seasons in April, but will remain with the Lady Vols as head coach emeritus.
Summitt was not made available for comment Monday, but issued a statement through the Helen Ross McNabb Center.
"Every year, I enjoy hosting the Pat Summitt Golf Tournament to encourage others to help out the Helen Ross McNabb Center," Summitt said. "All proceeds from the event benefit mental health and addiction treatment programs provided in our community.
"As a proud citizen of East Tennessee, I believe there is no greater cause than providing children and adults the opportunity to be healthy and to live to their fullest potential. I am so grateful for the individuals participating in today's tournament."
Summitt has helped with benefits for the Helen Ross McNabb Center for more than 14 years.
"This is one of the many special elements in the life of a very, very special lady," said UT athletic director Dave Hart, who played in the tournament. "She's a giver, and she's always been a giver. Anytime Pat's involved in something, you see the response. This is a very typical response. It's been going on for many, many years, and people want to be associated with Pat because of who she is."
Knox County sheriff Jimmy Jones and Knox County attorney general Randy Nichols played in the foursome with Hunley.
"It's a great golf tournament," Jones said. "We try to play in it every year. Helen Ross McNabb has done a great job in our community, and of course we love Pat. She put women's basketball on the map. We're glad to come out every year and support this."
Summitt's golf game got some headlines June 8 when she made a hole-in-one at Sevierville Golf Club.
However, Summitt didn't play in her tournament Monday — instead meeting and greeting all the players and posing for photos with them.
"It's always fun to get into this tournament," Nichols said. "The money that Helen Ross McNabb raises and that Coach Summitt helps us raise just pays off for this community. Literally, we couldn't function without Helen Ross McNabb, so we're glad to be here and contributing."
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Comments » 10
voloffaith writes:
So he was picking and grinning huh? Nope strutting and putting on the course...thanks again Coach for who you are and have been.....
Couchdummy writes:
Con Hunley is a true Tennessee gentleman who represents his hometown of Knoxville well. There is much on the internet to answer your curosity. Here is a link for you.
http://www.conhunley.com/
voloffaith writes:
Other than Brit Jackson don't remember any after their time on the hill expired..........What a blessing to the parents and UT!
CrankE writes:
Well I wasn't going to go there, but since you asked: Google "former lady Vol arrested".
Why, you might find...
- Brittany Jackson with a second DUI.
- Latina Davis arrested and charged with statutory rape in 2003. Difficult to figure out what ever happened in that case from the few stories on this. But surely she's not Jerry Sandusky or anything-though I would be glad for someone to tell me how the behavior pattern differs.
I don't know if there are others, but can we Puh-lease stop with the nonsense that the Lady Vols are 100% clean and pure forever and all of the Men's Athletic programs are run by and populated with scum?
Thank you.
ps11824 writes:
Crank, sure you were going there. You were anxious to use the ammo you just happen to be packing. Are you happy now that you've scored .999 pts in a 38 year career? You have made your profound point... no one is 100% perfect. You've upped your score to 1 whole point. Quit while you are ahead.
Theo writes:
That's all you got and you somehow thought it was post worthy - okay 99.9% great citizens.
CrankE writes:
I'm as Go Big Orange as anybody, but please to God open your eyes and get honest. I found that info with a 15 second search. I presume that the more you dig, the more you'll find.
Enjoy.
SoddyVol writes:
Thinking of the multitude of ladies Pat coached over a span of 38 years, it is amazing just how clean the program is. Like a devious lawyer, I suppose one can find a case here and there where one of the huge multitude of ladies has done something sometime in her life that is wrong. UT Lady Vols can be proud to be part of such an unusually clean program.
BigRMan writes:
The positive influence of Pat Summit on her players reaches far and wide. The contributions to a myriad of exemplary role models pales the scant few that have not been so illumiary. Many are grateful to Coach Summit for her good works. Those that are grateful span all bounds and levels of socio economic strata. Presidents to laborers. When counting blessings make sure Pat Summit is numbered!
AllLadyVol writes:
I thought Con Hunley was That Guy Who Sings At The Fair and Cuts Grocery Store Ribbons On Opening Day.
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