The NCAA donated $50,000 as a memorial gift to the Pat Summitt Foundation in honor of the late Tennessee Lady Vols coach.
The contribution will go toward the foundation’s commitment to raise $2.5 million in five years to help establish the Pat Summitt Alzheimer’s Clinic at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. The clinic is scheduled to open in December 2016.
Pat Summitt Foundation executive director Patrick Wade said the foundation has raised $430,000 since June 28 by selling shirts and from taking donations.
“We are most grateful for this very generous contribution and express our appreciation to the NCAA leadership for their commitment in support of Pat’s mission to make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease,” Wade said.
Wade said the memorial gifts the foundation has received since Summitt’s passing will help “clinical trial research,” and “provide treatment and support to Alzheimer’s patients and their families in East Tennessee.”
Summitt announced her diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in August 2011. She stepped down as UT’s head coach, and into the role of head coach emeritus on April 18, 2012.
“Pat Summitt embodied and defined what it means to coach at the intercollegiate level,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert. “As a leader, teacher and mentor we are forever grateful for her commitment to college athletics and we are humbled to donate on her behalf. We hope that with our help and the other gifts received, strides can be made in supporting those affected by this terrible disease.”
Summitt won eight NCAA championships, compiled a 1,098-208 record and never had a losing season as UT's women's basketball coach from 1974-2012.
Summitt died at age 64 on June 28.