Advertisement

Retired Tennessee coach Pat Summitt's condition worsens

By Allen Cone
Tennesse women's head basketball coach Pat Summitt watches festivities for the Women's Final Four in St. Louis on April 4, 2009. The family of former coach released a statement Sunday she is going through a "difficult" time in her battle with Alzheimer's disease. File photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI.
Tennesse women's head basketball coach Pat Summitt watches festivities for the Women's Final Four in St. Louis on April 4, 2009. The family of former coach released a statement Sunday she is going through a "difficult" time in her battle with Alzheimer's disease. File photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI. | License Photo

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., June 26 (UPI) -- The family of former Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt released a statement Sunday saying she is going through a "difficult" time in her battle with Alzheimer's disease.

"On behalf of Pat Summitt's family, we acknowledge the past few days have been difficult for Pat as her early onset dementia, 'Alzheimer's Type,' progresses," the statement read. "She 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. Thank you."

Advertisement

Earlier Sunday, a source told the News Sentinel that Summitt, 64, was "struggling" and family members and those associated with the school were "preparing for the worst."

As of late Saturday, Summitt was in a retirement center where she's been since late January, the source said.

Summitt announced in August 2011 that she had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Her family and former players were with her during the weekend.

Summitt coached the 2011-12 season before stepping down. She had 1,098 victories -- the most in Division I college basketball history for a men's or women's coach -- and eight national championships during her 38-year career. She lost only 208 times.

Advertisement

She was named the NCAA coach of the year seven times,

In 1984, Summitt coached the U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal.

The court at Thompson Boling Arena is called "The Summitt," where the team plays.

Longtime Lady Vols announcer Mickey Dearstone said in March interview with CBSSports.com that her situation was dire.

"I'm not sure that she knows who I am unless I tell her," Dearstone said. "People that were really close to her, it's really sunk in."

Since her diagnosis, Summitt launched the Pat Summitt Foundation for researching and educating people about the disease while also assisting patients and caregivers. The Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Clinic is scheduled to open at the university's medical center in December.

Latest Headlines