Gator coach Amanda Butler and Pat Summitt embrace prior to Coach Summitt's final game at the O'Connell Center.
University of Florida Remembers Pat Summitt
Tuesday, June 28, 2016 | Women's Basketball
This page is a sharing of thoughts and memories by Gators on Pat Summitt and will be updated periodically.
"Though we're opponents on the basketball court, The Gator Nation expresses its deep sympathies to the family of legendary coach Pat Summitt, a warrior who inspired us all with her leadership lessons and love of competition. Her mantra of making hard work your passion and putting the team before yourself resonates not just with student athletes, but with everyone." – UF President Kent Fuchs
"Pat Summitt was an unbelievable competitor, unbelievably loyal to the Southeastern Conference and to the University of Tennessee and was an unbelievably classy woman. Anytime that the Gators would achieve something significant, winning national championships for example, I would receive a card from her. I am blessed to have had my career intertwine with hers. To say that she will be missed would be a gross understatement. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family during this difficult time." – UF Athletics Director Jeremy Foley
"Her impact goes beyond age groups, gender and even basketball. Everyone knew Pat because she was successful but more importantly she stood for all the right things...Character, toughness, discipline, hard work. She valued people and embraced the platform that basketball gave her. She was the ultimate leader, a hero, inspiration and role model. My heart goes out to her family and everyone in Big Orange country." – Florida Women's Basketball Head Coach Amanda Butler
"It's a profoundly sad day. I remember meeting Coach Summitt when I was getting started in college athletics. She treated me with respect and kindness as if she had known me for years. She carried herself with class, dignity and strength, and is truly one of the giants in the history of sports." – Mike Hill, UF Executive Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs
"Pat Summitt gave all women coaches, regardless of sport, someone to follow. Thanks for being a pioneer." – Florida Soccer Head Coach Becky Burleigh
"It wasn't just those in basketball that Pat Summitt mentored, challenged, lead - but for female coaches in every sport to follow." – Florida Volleyball Head Coach Mary Wise
"Today is a very sad day as I learned of the passing of Coach Pat Summitt. Coach Summitt put women's sports on the map in the Southeastern Conference and helped grow women's sports across the country. My thoughts and prayers are with the Vols and the Summitt family. Coach Summitt will be missed, but never forgotten as she is one of the greatest coaches of all time in any sport." - Florida Softball Head Coach Tim Walton
"Winning isn't everything. Pat was the complete coach/educator. We lost a good one…" – Florida Women's Tennis Head Coach Roland Thornqvist
"Pat Summitt was a pioneer and pathfinder whose legacy will endure." – First UF Women's Basketball Head Coach Paula Welch (1974-76)
"I'm so proud to say that I was coached by Pat Summitt thru her influence on the ones that coached me – Carol Ross and Linn Dunn #R.I.P. Your legacy has and will continue to stand the test of time. Such a powerful force in the game of basketball." – Gator Letterwinner and Olympian DeLisha Milton-Jones (1993-97)
"Pat Head Summitt helped to shape my career in coaching. She inspired me and gave me the confidence to pursue my goals in the early days of women's basketball and sports. I loved her competitive spirit and her special relationship she had with her student/athletes. One of a kind! I feel fortunate to have known her and to have shared some early experiences in AAU women's basketball with her. Thankful she is at peace now." – Gator Letterwinner Cassie Macias (1974-75)
"I am so saddened to hear about Pat and I send prayers to her friends and family. My greatest memories of her were when she came to Florida to play us after she won her 1,000th game and playing at UT and their great fans. I will never forget her aura and presence when she walked into a room." – Gator Letterwinner and Olympian Azania Stewart (2008-12)
"My deepest condolences to the Tennessee Volunteer family. Thank you for making so many of us passionate about the game of women's basketball. Your legacy will be cherished forever." – Gator Letterwinner Misty (Knight) Brown (1997-01)
"I remember Pat Summitt as a coach that I admired for the way she conducted her program in such a distinguished way...a great icon for women's basketball. #RIP Pat Summitt." – Gator Letterwinner Tiffany Travis (1996-2000)
"Thank you Pat Summitt for paving the road for us all. #RIPPat" – Gator Letterwinner Jordan Jones (2009-12)
"Sad day in women's basketball, we have lost a legend. RIP Mrs. Summitt … glad I met you when I did. You're an amazing person and brilliant coach." – Gator Letterwinner Trish (Patterson) Perez (2001-03)
"My greatest memory of Pat Summit was our game in 1980 where we played a Lady Vols team comprised mostly of Olympians! We lost so badly and I think we're still in the record books for Tennessee's largest win. I always admired her passion and strength as she made her way into the record books and influenced so many lives. I enjoyed watching my UF coach, Mickie DeMoss, work side by side with her for 18 years and had the chance to meet her in Atlanta at an Atlanta Dream game. Such a huge loss for the world of women's basketball and athletes everywhere…may she rest in peace!" – Gator Letterwinner Caryn (Mandel) Gartner (1979-82)
"Pat Summitt was an unbelievable competitor, unbelievably loyal to the Southeastern Conference and to the University of Tennessee and was an unbelievably classy woman. Anytime that the Gators would achieve something significant, winning national championships for example, I would receive a card from her. I am blessed to have had my career intertwine with hers. To say that she will be missed would be a gross understatement. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family during this difficult time." – UF Athletics Director Jeremy Foley
"Her impact goes beyond age groups, gender and even basketball. Everyone knew Pat because she was successful but more importantly she stood for all the right things...Character, toughness, discipline, hard work. She valued people and embraced the platform that basketball gave her. She was the ultimate leader, a hero, inspiration and role model. My heart goes out to her family and everyone in Big Orange country." – Florida Women's Basketball Head Coach Amanda Butler
"It's a profoundly sad day. I remember meeting Coach Summitt when I was getting started in college athletics. She treated me with respect and kindness as if she had known me for years. She carried herself with class, dignity and strength, and is truly one of the giants in the history of sports." – Mike Hill, UF Executive Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs
"Pat Summitt gave all women coaches, regardless of sport, someone to follow. Thanks for being a pioneer." – Florida Soccer Head Coach Becky Burleigh
"It wasn't just those in basketball that Pat Summitt mentored, challenged, lead - but for female coaches in every sport to follow." – Florida Volleyball Head Coach Mary Wise
"Today is a very sad day as I learned of the passing of Coach Pat Summitt. Coach Summitt put women's sports on the map in the Southeastern Conference and helped grow women's sports across the country. My thoughts and prayers are with the Vols and the Summitt family. Coach Summitt will be missed, but never forgotten as she is one of the greatest coaches of all time in any sport." - Florida Softball Head Coach Tim Walton
"Winning isn't everything. Pat was the complete coach/educator. We lost a good one…" – Florida Women's Tennis Head Coach Roland Thornqvist
"Pat Summitt was a pioneer and pathfinder whose legacy will endure." – First UF Women's Basketball Head Coach Paula Welch (1974-76)
"I'm so proud to say that I was coached by Pat Summitt thru her influence on the ones that coached me – Carol Ross and Linn Dunn #R.I.P. Your legacy has and will continue to stand the test of time. Such a powerful force in the game of basketball." – Gator Letterwinner and Olympian DeLisha Milton-Jones (1993-97)
"Pat Head Summitt helped to shape my career in coaching. She inspired me and gave me the confidence to pursue my goals in the early days of women's basketball and sports. I loved her competitive spirit and her special relationship she had with her student/athletes. One of a kind! I feel fortunate to have known her and to have shared some early experiences in AAU women's basketball with her. Thankful she is at peace now." – Gator Letterwinner Cassie Macias (1974-75)
"I am so saddened to hear about Pat and I send prayers to her friends and family. My greatest memories of her were when she came to Florida to play us after she won her 1,000th game and playing at UT and their great fans. I will never forget her aura and presence when she walked into a room." – Gator Letterwinner and Olympian Azania Stewart (2008-12)
"My deepest condolences to the Tennessee Volunteer family. Thank you for making so many of us passionate about the game of women's basketball. Your legacy will be cherished forever." – Gator Letterwinner Misty (Knight) Brown (1997-01)
"I remember Pat Summitt as a coach that I admired for the way she conducted her program in such a distinguished way...a great icon for women's basketball. #RIP Pat Summitt." – Gator Letterwinner Tiffany Travis (1996-2000)
"Thank you Pat Summitt for paving the road for us all. #RIPPat" – Gator Letterwinner Jordan Jones (2009-12)
"Sad day in women's basketball, we have lost a legend. RIP Mrs. Summitt … glad I met you when I did. You're an amazing person and brilliant coach." – Gator Letterwinner Trish (Patterson) Perez (2001-03)
"My greatest memory of Pat Summit was our game in 1980 where we played a Lady Vols team comprised mostly of Olympians! We lost so badly and I think we're still in the record books for Tennessee's largest win. I always admired her passion and strength as she made her way into the record books and influenced so many lives. I enjoyed watching my UF coach, Mickie DeMoss, work side by side with her for 18 years and had the chance to meet her in Atlanta at an Atlanta Dream game. Such a huge loss for the world of women's basketball and athletes everywhere…may she rest in peace!" – Gator Letterwinner Caryn (Mandel) Gartner (1979-82)
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