University of Tennessee Athletics
"We Back Pat" Week Approaches
January 16, 2015 | Women's Basketball
KNOXVILLE -- The Southeastern Conference in cooperation with its 14-member institutions will once again hold "We Back Pat" Week in 2015. The week-long initiative is focused on bringing awareness and recognition to The Pat Summitt Foundation, a fund of East Tennessee Foundation, and its fight against Alzheimer's disease.
SEC member institutions will support The Pat Summitt Foundation during their home basketball games taking place Jan. 18-26. During the women's games slated for that week, various efforts will be made to increase awareness of The Pat Summitt Foundation and its goals.
"Many thanks to the SEC member schools and the SEC Office staff for all their efforts to promote the "We Back Pat initiative," Summitt said. "Tyler and I are most grateful for what this does to help us raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease and to provide an assist for those living with and caring for someone with the disease. I consider myself blessed to have been a part of the SEC for many years. TOGETHER WE WILL WIN!"
Tennessee's designated "We Back Pat" game will be on Thurs., Jan. 22, as the #6/6 Lady Vols welcome LSU to Knoxville for a 7 p.m. contest on the SEC Network. UT encourages fans to wear their "We Back Pat" shirts in support of Pat Summitt and her battle with Alzheimer's.
"We Back Pat" t-shirts and wristbands will be on sale at the Official Team Shop located on the concourse at the arena on game day and will be on sale at the Vol Shop on campus throughout the week leading up to the game.
An "SEC Coaches Back Pat" video will be played during the Tennessee-LSU game, and on-court check presentations will take place. There will be two before the game and one at halftime that recognizes the recently-announced UT Medical Center and Pat Summitt Foundation partnership to establish the Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Clinic.
Both lower level & upper level reserved tickets, as well as general admission seats, are available. Fans can visit uttix.com or call the Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office at 865-656.1200.
Everyone is encouraged to be in their seats 25 minutes prior to tip in order to view the pregame presentations and videos.
Fans can get involved in advance of the game by submitting a photo of their best impression of the Pat Summitt stare for a chance to win tickets to the game. Using #SummittStare, tweet @LadyVol_Hoops, tag Tennessee Lady Vols Basketball Facebook Page, tag Ladyvol_hoops on Instagram or email to utathletics@utk.edu. 10 winners will be selected and notified on Tues., Jan. 20th at 5 p.m.
This year is also marks the third season for Kyra Elzy's SEC Win Challenge, in which fans donate a specific amount of money for each Lady Vols regular season SEC victory. Fans can visit PatSummitt.org to join Kyra's SEC Win Challenge.
There will be 18 total games in 14 cities involving SEC teams during "We Back Pat" Week. In addition to its official "We Back Pat" game vs. LSU, Tennessee will play two more games during the week. The first is Monday night, as the Lady Vols face a top-10 road showdown with #7/7 Notre Dame on ESPN2. They also will host a game on Jan. 25, as #18/16 Georgia comes to Knoxville for a 2 p.m. contest on the SEC Network.
"On behalf of The Pat Summitt Foundation I want to thank the SEC for sponsoring this fourth annual "We Back Pat" Week and all the participating member institutions," said Foundation Director Patrick Wade. "I know that this honor certainly means a lot to Pat and Tyler, and we all are so appreciative to have this opportunity that highlights our efforts to make a difference for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
"This year it's of even greater importance as we undertake our most ambitious goal to date - to raise $2.5 million for the establishment of The Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Clinic at the University of Tennessee Medical Center."
The Pat Summitt Foundation Fund was launched November 27, 2011, by Pat & Tyler Summitt after her diagnosis of early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type at the age of 59. In a videotaped statement shown during the announcement of the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund, Pat Summitt said, "Tyler and I have decided to join this battle, not just for us, but also for the millions of families affected by this disease. I have always told our players, our greatest opportunities are disguised as our greatest obstacles. It is time to treat this obstacle as an opportunity and a stepping stone to a cure."
The Pat Summitt Foundation Fund will make grants to nonprofits which provide education and awareness of Alzheimer's, its onset and treatment; support services to patients, their families and caregivers; and research to treat, prevent, cure, and ultimately eradicate this disease.
About The Pat Summitt Foundation
The Pat Summitt Foundation, A Fund of East Tennessee Foundation, is dedicated to winning the fight against Alzheimer's disease. Its mission as a grant-making foundation is to advance research for prevention and a cure; to provide hope, care, and critical support for patients, caregivers and families; and to educate the public on the impacts of Alzheimer's disease and the urgent need for a cure.
Pat Summitt, her family and friends have chosen East Tennessee Foundation to receive and manage contributions to Pat's Foundation, and to facilitate their grant-making in support of the mission. To learn more about the Foundation visit the website at PatSummitt.org.
About East Tennessee Foundation
East Tennessee Foundation (ETF) is a public, nonprofit, community foundation created for the purpose of building charitable resources to make communities stronger and lives better through thoughtful giving. It is located at 625 Market Street, Suite 1400, Knoxville, TN 37902. For more information, call 865-524-1223 or visit EastTennesseeFoundation.org.
To Donate
Visit PatSummitt.org. Donations benefit The Pat Summitt Foundation, a fund of East Tennessee Foundation.
2015 WE BACK PAT GAME SCHEDULE
18 (Sunday)
Kentucky at LSU (ESPNU), 1:00 p.m. CT
Vanderbilt at Georgia (SEC Network +), 2:00 p.m. ET
Missouri at Arkansas (SEC Network), 2:00 p.m. CT
Alabama at Mississippi State (Fox Sports Net), 3:00 p.m. CT
Ole Miss at Texas A&M (SEC Network), 4:00 p.m. CT
19 (Monday)
South Carolina at Florida (SEC Network), 7:00 p.m. ET
Tennessee at Notre Dame (ESPN2), 7:00 p.m. ET
22 (Thursday)
Texas A&M at Georgia (SEC Network +), 7:00 p.m. ET
LSU at Tennessee (SEC Network), 7:00 p.m. ET
Arkansas at Vanderbilt (SEC Network +), 7:00 p.m. CT
Auburn at Alabama (Fox Sports Net), 8:00 p.m. CT
Mississippi State at Ole Miss (SEC Network), 8:00 p.m. CT
25 (Sunday)
Arkansas at Florida (ESPNU), Noon ET
Vanderbilt at Alabama (Fox Sports Net), Noon CT
Georgia at Tennessee (SEC Network), 2:00 p.m. ET
Kentucky at Missouri (SEC Network), 3:00 p.m. CT
26 (Monday)
Mississippi State at Auburn (SEC Network), 8:00 p.m. CT
Texas A&M at South Carolina (ESPN2), 7:00 p.m. ET
