Pat Summitt, a legendary basketball coach in women’s basketball, has family and friends praying for her as her health deteriorates following a long, arduous battle with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new report.
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“Pat is surrounded by those who mean the most to her and during this time, we ask for prayers for Pat and her family and friends, as well as your utmost respect and privacy”.
ESPN and the Associated Press reported two of Summitt’s former players, Candice Parker and Tamika Catchings were traveling to Knoxville to visit.
Summitt, 64, who led the University of Tennessee’s women’s basketball team to eight national championships, announced in August 2011 that doctors diagnosed her with the early onset Alzheimer’s disease, noted USA Today.
In a statement released Sunday, her family acknowledged that “the past few days have been hard for Pat”, whose illustrious 38-year tenure as Lady Vols coach included 1,098 wins, 32 SEC championships and eight national titles.
Summitt’s family and some former players were with her during the weekend. The source added, “I don’t think anybody knows whether she will last a day, a month, or a year”. “I learned so much about coaching/leading/friendship from her #PrayForPat”.
Channel 4 will continue to provide updates on Summitt’s condition as they occur.
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Since her diagnosis, Summitt has played a leading role in the fight against Alzheimer’s. In her honor, the Pat Summitt Plaza was dedicated on the campus of the University of Tennessee in November 2013. “It’s been about (how) we can find a cure for this disease, and she has done it facing it straight-on and she’s done it giving back as she always has”. She is expected to pass away in the next few days. She ended her coaching career in 2012 after 38 years on the sidelines.
