Notre Dame's Muffet McGraw: Pat Summitt an undeniable legend on/off court

April 18, 2012|WSBT-TV Sports Report

South Bend Tribune/ROBERT FRANKLIN

Notre Dame head women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw celebrated Pat Summitt's amazing accomplishments on the court with her Tennessee Lady Vols ... and off court as well.

McGraw reflected on Summitt's distinguished career after the announcement this week Summitt is stepping down as the Lady Vols head coach and assuming the moniker of "head coach emeritus."

Holly Warlick, Lady Vols assistant head coach, will take over head coaching duties at the University of Tennessee.

The official end of Summitt's 38-year tenure, not surprisingly as the winningest coach in NCAA history, comes eight months after she announced she had been diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type.

McGraw on Summitt

"While I'm certainly sad to hear that Pat is stepping down as the head coach at the University of Tennessee, I think today is really a time to celebrate Pat's amazing accomplishments and everything she has done to help bring the sport of women's basketball to where it is today.

“The word 'legend' can sometimes be overused in sports, but in Pat's case, that's exactly what she is. Pat has set the bar so high for all of us, not only with the success her teams have enjoyed on the court, but the way she has carried herself off the court, with such class, dignity and grace.

“It's a standard of excellence that likely will never be matched in our game, and I feel fortunate and honored to have had the opportunity to coach against her, and to learn from her during my career.

"All of us at Notre Dame wish for her good health and happiness in her new role as head coach emeritus at Tennessee. We know that the Lady Vol program will remain strong and vibrant with Holly Warlick as head coach, and we wish her much success."

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