"When you think of women's basketball, you think of Pat Summitt. She is the first female coach whose name literally has become synonymous with her sport.
"Of course, we all know her record -- the thousand victories, the eight national championships, and so on -- but we'll never be able to adequately put into words the contributions Pat has made to women's basketball and, specifically, to the women's basketball coaching profession. She is a mentor, role model and inspiration to so many. All coaches of girls' and women's basketball have her to thank in large part for the success our game now enjoys.
"Pat is a founding member of the WBCA. She was present in the meeting held during the Olympic Festival in Syracuse, N.Y., in 1981, to discuss the formation of a women's basketball coaches association. She has been a member and tremendous supporter of the WBCA ever since. We will forever be indebted to her for what she has done through the years for this association."
Pat Summitt Named Head Coach Emeritus
About the WBCA:
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. The WBCA is pleased to join the women's sports community in commemorating the 40th anniversary of Title IX, which was passed by Congress on June 23, 1972, and provides females with equal opportunities in athletics in the U.S. For more information on the WBCA, please visit wbca.org.
