According to reports, legendary women’s basketball coach, Patricia Sue Head Summitt, died at the age of 64 after her long battle with Alzheimer’s. Summitt, who is most known for her 38 season career as the Women’s Basketball Head Coach at the University of Tennessee, died peacefully Tuesday [June 28] amongst her closest family and friends at the Sherill Hill Senior Living Center in Knoxville. The beloved former coach leaves behind her only son, Tyler Summitt, as well as her former husband, R.B. Summitt, of 27 years whom she divorced in April 2008.

Summit who will be remembered as the all-time winningest D-1 basketball coach, announced publicly back in 2011 that she had been diagnosed with an early onset of dementia, ‘Alzheimer’s Type.’ Prior to the disease totally taking her mind and prized memories, the legend founded The Pat Summitt Foundation, of East Tennessee Foundation, in November 2011, with the mission of making a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease by advancing research for a cure. However, in the last few weeks of her life, her health had gotten progressively worse which ultimately led to her demise.

Summitt’s son announced early Tuesday, "For 64 years, my mother first built her life upon a strong relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her foundation was also built upon love of her family and of her players, and love of the fundamentals of hard work which reflected her philosophy that ‘you win in life with people’."

She was the fourth of five children – Tommy, Charles, Kenneth and Linda – born to Richard and Hazel Head on June 14, 1952, in Clarksville, Tenn. Her tireless work ethic and her love of the game of basketball were created during the time she spent growing up on the family farm.

She’ll be remembered as the all-time winningest D-1 basketball coach in NCAA history, but she was more than a coach to so many – she was a hero and a mentor, especially to me, her family, her friends, her Tennessee Lady Volunteer staff and the 161 Lady Vol student-athletes she coached during her 38-year tenure.

"We will all miss her immensely."

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Summitt family.

Source: patsummitt.org