Pat Summitt will visit the White House on Tuesday to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The honor was announced on April 19, the day Summitt formally stepped down as Tennessee's women's basketball coach and passed her whistle to new coach Holly Warlick during a press conference at Thompson-Boling Arena. Summitt has assumed a new role as head coach emeritus for the women's program. The original announcement didn't specify the date of the medal presentation by President Barack Obama.
The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
President Obama called Summitt an "inspiration" and praised her willingness to speak openly about being diagnosed last summer with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type.
Summitt stepped down after a 38-year career, which featured 1,098 victories and eight national championships.
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Comments » 16
Theo writes:
Wow, what a well deserved honor for Pat. A lesser person would have withdrawn from public view to deal with this but Pat pushes out front in order help others who will unfortunately have to deal with this illness.
Others before herself - just like she has done for UT and the Lady Vols.
BigBadVol writes:
Congratulations Coach Summitt! You deserve all the accolades you receive. It's been an honor to watch you coach.
hojo0710 writes:
White House to be honored by Pat Summitt's presence on Tuesday.
Central_IL_Vol writes:
Considering the residents of the White House; VERY TRUE!
sig4ever writes:
May she remember the President of her choice.
UT-on-3 writes:
congrats coach Summit!
Good move by the White House....VERY CLASSY!
Volunista writes:
I'm not sure what you mean, TROLL.
BigOrangeFever76 (Inactive) writes:
Pat is heading to the White House while Cameron Clear is headed to the Big House.
Anyway...congrats Pat. Well deserved.
TopTenn writes:
Congratulations to Coach Summitt.
Kasey writes:
Jerk!
leon writes:
This is a great honor for a great person by our President.
I can think of a past President who would have waited for a Holiday weekend to honor Pat so he could benefit from the attention simply for his re-election campaign.
Clarkrm0706 writes:
Partisan idiots stand out even in a crowd.
Congrats Pat. My voting record has nothing to do with your well deserved honor and if I ever invaded poltics in your legacy, please call me "as stupid as a lindatotenn"
VAvolfanRON writes:
nice coach summit!!!!!....
fratricide08 writes:
Well deserved and well done by the White House. One good thing about having a basketball fan as President is that Obama recognized a truly great woman, one who is sooooo much more than just a coach.
Lerxtwood writes:
She has way more class than either of you two idiots
secondcreek writes:
Next up, the Nobel Peace Prize?
I've been a fan of Summitt and her teams for decades now but it seems like the awards are starting to be a little bit over the top.
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