University of Tennessee Athletics
Summitt Donates $600,000 to University
August 04, 2008 | Women's Basketball
University of Tennessee President Dr. John Petersen, Knoxville???s Interim Chancellor Jan Simek and Martin???s Chancellor Thomas Rakes announced??today that head women???s basketball coach Pat Summitt has committed $600,000 to the University of Tennessee.?? The donation to The Campaign for Tennessee will be split between the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Martin to support the women???s basketball programs on each campus and includes a $100,000 endowed scholarship for a Lady Vols basketball graduate assistant in honor of her parents Richard and Hazel Head.
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"We are excited to have this generous support from Coach Summitt. Her commitment will provide a major boost to our women's athletics program," said Rakes.
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Petersen added, ???Pat is an amazing asset for the University of Tennessee.?? Far beyond her obvious achievements as a coach, she is a role model, a leader, a champion for academics and graduation, and I cannot imagine a single individual who has done more to contribute to the success and the respect of women???s athletics in this country.???
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As with most gifts of this size, Summitt will fulfill her commitment with a combination of current and planned gifts.
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A Henrietta, Tenn.-native, Patricia Head Summitt graduated from the University of Tennessee-Martin in 1974 after spending four years playing basketball and volleyball at the school.?? Following graduation, she became head coach of the Lady Vols.?? Since then, Summitt has racked up 983 victories, making her the winningest coach in college basketball.?? She has brought home eight National Championships, 15 SEC Championships and 12 SEC Tournament Titles.?? She has been named NCAA Coach of the Year eight times and SEC Coach of the Year seven times.?? Summitt was a member of the 1976 USA Olympic team, served as the assistant coach in the 1980 boycotted Olympics and was the gold medal winning head coach of the 1984 USA Olympic team.?? She has one son, Tyler, who is a senior at Webb School in Knoxville, Tenn.
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???The University of Tennessee has meant a great deal to me ??? both as a student-athlete, an alumna, a coach and a fan,??? said Summitt.?? ???I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to play basketball as a student-athlete at UT-Martin and spend 35 years as a coach at UT-Knoxville.?? I appreciate every opportunity both schools have given me and hope this gift will afford other young women the same opportunities.???
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Summitt is the third UT head coach to make a major gift to the university in the past year.?? In March 2007, Head Men???s Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl endowed the Dane Bradshaw Scholarship Endowment. In August, Head Football Coach Phillip Fulmer and his wife Vicky announced a $1 million gift to the university to be split equally between academics and athletics to support scholarships, athletic facilities and programming.??
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The Campaign for Tennessee is a multiphase fundraising effort that will extend through 2011.?? This seven-year The Campaign for Tennessee -- the most ambitious effort in the university???s 214-year history -- places UT among the ranks of the nation???s largest public and private institutions that have sought this level of private support.
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The campaign, which launched its silent phase in 2005, will secure private gifts that, in turn, will contribute substantially to the distinct, but linked, campuses comprised by the University of Tennessee system. Funds raised through the campaign will directly support the objectives of UT's strategic plan, as outlined by UT President John Petersen. Among those objectives are improved student access and success, research and economic development, outreach and globalization.
