In the coming weeks, there are going to be many, many, people who write about Pat Head Summit, the legendary head basketball coach for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols. I would assume that most of these postings would paint a picture of Coach Summit in a very positive light, and rightly so. She is an incredible woman and she deserves utmost respect as a coach and as a person.
But, let me tell you about my experience with the coach with a ferocious stare (I loved those stares btw...you knew she was not happy), and why I have a profoundly deep admiration for one of the few people outside of my family, who I would consider one of my heroes.
Having grandparents who lived in East TN and watching them root for the Vols, it was easy to love Pat Summit; after all, she was the leader of our team. Vol nation, myself included, proudly donned orange and watched as our women often out-shown our men on a national stage. And, standing on the sidelines was the winningest coach in basketball history...EVER. She was a huge success and a basketball icon. So, being a fan of the Lady Vols, and having watched them just win one of their many National Championships, I sat down, as a young boy, to write the coach a letter.
I didn't know what to expect or what to say to someone like Coach Summit. After all, how many famous people actually return a letter from a random fan. Well, I diligently wrote my letter to Coach Summit and told her that I loved the Lady Vols and Congratulations for her success. I also asked if she would write me back and send an autograph. I didn't hold my breath as knew Pat was a very busy woman. A few weeks later, I got a letter in the mail in an envelope with the Lady Vols logo on it. I got excited; I knew it had to be from Coach Summit.
I opened the letter, read some of it (I have forgotten what it said) but remember, to this day, that Coach Summit signed that card in her own hand...and, more impressively, in ORANGE ink! I was blown away by her kindness and response. And that is small part of the reason that I admire Pat Summit.
So, the long and the short of it is this...I truly admire Pat Summit. Suffice it to say, I will miss seeing her on the sidelines for future Lady Vols games. And, one last personal message to Coach Summit:
Thank you for the memories, Coach. You are an amazing person and an equally amazing Coach. Thank you for all you have done for the University of Tennessee, and a heartfelt thank you, for the letter you sent back to me many years ago.
