Lee Erwin reporting
lerwin@clarksvillenow.com
Cedar Hill, TN. – Legendary women’s University of Tennessee basketball coach Pat Summitt returned home Thursday, September 26 to be the honoree for the 2nd annual “Evening for Pat” supporting the Pat Summitt Foundation’s fight against Alzheimer’s.
The “Evening for Pat” recognized the Montgomery County native and head coach emeritus of UT’s Lady Vols basketball team and was held at the Charles Hand farm near Cedar Hill. Volunteer orange was the color of the evening as close to 500 guests showed their support for Summitt and her foundation.
Summitt was in great spirits as a long line of well wishers waited to get a photo with the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history. Summitt totaled up 1,098 victories in her career from 1974-2012 and led the Tennessee Lady Vols to eight NCAA National Championships.
In the summer of 2011 Summitt announced that she had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. In an interview following the announcement the coach commented on her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. “There’s not going to be any pity party and I’ll make sure of that,” said Summitt.
The Pat Summitt Foundation makes grants to nonprofits that provide education and awareness of Alzheimer’s. Adam Waller, Director of Community Relations for the foundation talked about the event. “It benefits the Pat Summit Foundation so there’s a ticket cost, a silent auction and there’s going to be some raffles to generate funds to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s,” Waller said.
Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers and Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan both attended the evening’s festivities and read a proclamation honoring Summitt for her coaching career, and her support of the Alzheimer’s Association. Many long time friends of Summitt and family members including her brother and former Tennessee State Representative Tommy Head were present for the evening.
The event was led locally by Oasis In-Home Care, Avalon Hospice, Hillcrest Healthcare Center and Walking Horse Meadows Assisted Living. Cindy Hancock, Director of Community Relations for Oasis In-Home Care said last year’s “Evening for Pat” raised around $8,000. Because donations were still coming in there were no figures available for the latest fundraiser.
Honors for Summitt will continue in Clarksville as plans are under way for the Pat Head Summitt Legacy Park to be located in the north extension of the McGregor Park Riverwalk. The park is being built through private donations and hopes are to have the park open in around two years.