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Pat Summitt: A career to remember

Legendary University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt died early Tuesday morning after a battle with Alzheimer's. She leaves behind a lasting legacy that impacted UT, East Tennessee, and the country as a whole. 

Legendary University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt died early Tuesday morning after a battle with Alzheimer's. She leaves behind a lasting legacy that impacted UT, East Tennessee, and the country as a whole.

Here’s a look at our coverage of Pat Summitt through the years.

Video: Living Legend: Pat Summitt

In 2013, former players talked about the life and long legacy of Summitt. As head coach at the University of Tennessee from 1974-2012, Summitt eight NCAA championships. Tennessee won national championships in 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2007 and 2008.

In 38 seasons as UT”s head coach, Summitt compiled a 1,098-208 record and never had a losing season. During Summitt’s tenure, every single one of her players who completed their eligibility graduated.

Summitt coached 21 All-American players, 39 All-SEC players and 12 Olympians (as part of the 1976 Summer Olympics. A total of 14 players Summitt coached while at UT played in the Olympic games at some point).

Video: Looking back at the 1996-1997 Lady Vols

There were many similarities between the 2015-2016 Lady Vols team, and the 1996-1997 team that went on to win the NCAA title.

Both teams experienced disappointing regular seasons. The 2015-2016 team went into the NCAA Tournament with a 19-13 record (8-8 SEC).The 1996-1997 went into the NCAA Tournament with a 23-10 record. The 10 losses were a program record at the time.

In January 1997, the Lady Vols held an 11-6 record, and out of the top 10 for the first time since 1986. That season Tennessee lost to Florida and Arkansas for the first time in program history. For the first time the Lady Vols failed to qualify for a bye in the opening round of the SEC Tournament, which they were eliminated from in the semifinals.

Tennessee went on to win the NCAA Tournament in a 68-59 win against Old Dominion on March 30, 1997.

The 2015-2016 team’s season ended in a 89-67 loss to Syracuse in the Elite Eight on March 28, 2016.

Video: Summitt honored with a statue

UT unveiled a bronze statue to honor Pat Summitt at a ceremony on Nov. 22, 2013.

The statue is located across the street from Thompson-Boling Arena at the corner of Lake Loudon Boulevard and Phillip Fulmer Way.

Thousands attended the ceremony for the dedication of Pat Summitt plaza.

The plaza’s centerpiece is an 8-foot-7-inch, 500- pound statue of Summitt.

Video: Summitt wins the Arthur Ashe Award at the 2012 ESPYs

Summitt received the Arthur Ashe Award at the ESPY Awards on July 11, 2012.

“The Ashe Award is one of the most prestigious in sports,” according to ESPN.com. “Recipients reflect the spirit of Arthur Ashe, possessing strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost.”

Summitt joined Jim Valvano, Howard Cosell and Muhammad Ali among others as winner of the Arthur Ashe Award.

“I’ve always said you win in life with people, and I have been so blessed to have great people in my life,” Summitt said during her acceptance speech.

ESPN has given the Arthur Ashe Award each year since 1993.

Fulton High School football player Zaevion Dobson was posthumously named winner of this year’s Arthur Ashe Award. The ESPYs will air on July 18 at 8 p.m. ET.

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Video: UT softball coach Karen Weekly’s lessons learned from Pat Summitt

When Karen Weekly and her husband Ralph joined UT softball’s coaching staff in 2002 to lead the women’s softball team, Summitt served as a mentor to them. Summitt’s advice? “Make your schedule tough. Make your schedule tough and it’ll pay dividends in the end.”

Video: Alzheimer's Clinic named for Pat Summitt

The Pat Summitt Foundation and UT Medical Center plans to expand the university's Alzhemier's disease services through a new clinic. The Pat Summitt Alzhemier’s Clinic at the University of Tennessee Medical Center is scheduled to open in December 2016.

Video: Pat Summitt Foundation dinner

The Pat Summitt Foundation held a fundraiser called “Salute for a Cure” in April 2016 to raise money for the Pat Summitt Alzheimer’s Clinic.

Lady Vols' head coach Holly Warlick, former Lady Vol Shelley Collier and ESPN's Carolyn Peck were there to share stories about Summitt with the guests.

“I think what people didn’t see was what a kind heart, and what a very happy person (she was), that enjoyed life and enjoyed to laugh,” Warlick said. “I hope that through our stories, they can understand another side to Pat.”

Video: Pat Summitt Foundation giving in East Tennessee

Patrick Wade with the Pat Summitt Foundation and Mike McClamroch of the East Tennessee Foundation joined WBIR’s Robin Wilhoit on 10News at 5 to discuss how the organizations worked together.

“When she founded the foundation a few years ago, she wanted to make a difference in the disease and help patients,” Wade said. “Help patients who are coping with the disease, help their families and caregivers who struggle as well.”

WBIR will air a special remembering Pat Summitt Tuesday evening from 7-8 p.m. on WBIR and WBIR.com.

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