What absolutely incredible news: the legendary Pat Summitt, head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols, has posthumously been named a recipient of the prestigious WeCOACH Lifetime Achievement Award—a monumental honor in recognition of her extraordinary impact on basketball, coaching, and women’s sports
On National Girls & Women in Sports Day, WeCOACH—an organization devoted to supporting women coaches—announced Summitt among five trailblazing recipients for 2024–25. This award celebrates women who have:
- Achieved superlative success in their professional careers,
- Demonstrated unwavering leadership and commitment,
- Paved the way for future generations of female leaders in sports
Joining Summitt in this distinguished group are luminaries like Tara VanDerveer (Stanford), Jan Hutchinson, Carmen Jackson, and Dr. Ann Lebedeff—collectively bringing over two centuries of coaching wisdom
Summitt’s resume reads like a legend in American sports:
- 1,098 career wins in NCAA Division I basketball—the most in NCAA history upon her retirement in 2012
- Eight NCAA national championships (1987, 1989, 1991, 1996–1998, 2007, 2008), six Final Four runner‑ups, and a remarkable streak of 31 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearancesWon 32 SEC championships (16 regular season, 16 tournament titles
- Produced 14 Olympic athletes, 34 WNBA players, and 21 All‑Americans, furthering women’s basketball on global platform
- Maintained a 100 % graduation rate for players who completed their eligibility—a testament to her priorities on and off the court
- Pioneered as the first women’s college basketball coach to earn $1 million and the first to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated
- Honored as Naismith Women’s Coach of the Century (2000) and inducted into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
- Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2012) and Arthur Ashe Courage Award, while founding the Pat Summitt Foundation to fight Alzheimer’s
Her competitiveness, winning mentality, and drive were matched only by her compassionate mentorship and unwavering dedication to empowering women—on the hardwood and in life.
The custom-designed awards—crafted by Jostens—will be presented on May 19 in Denver during the WeCOACH–NCAA Women Coaches Academies conference(utsports.com). This gathering unites women coaches at every level, celebrating excellence, leadership, and advocacy in sports.
Summitt reshaped college athletics. Her 38-year tenure (1974–2012) crafted a powerhouse program that led Lady Vols to unprecedented visibility and credibility—serving as a model for coaches and teams nationwide.(en.wikipedia.org)
She stepped onto the role at age 22 in 1974—just as women’s NCAA sports were emerging. With fierce determination, she navigated early challenges and championed equality, often driving her van to games in the program’s earliest days.(cnn.com)
Beyond championships, Summitt championed academics. Her players graduated at a 100 % rate, embodying her holistic vision of athlete–scholar. That mentorship led to many entering coaching or leadership roles, extending her influence.
Her influence reached the White House. President Obama honored her:
Every accolade—from Coach of the Century to the Presidential Medal of Freedom—reflected her broader impact beyond wins and trophies.
Pat inspires admiration across generations:
On Reddit (r/wnba), fans reminisce:
Former players, like Tamika Catchings, describe her as a source of strength, courage, and character—values that shaped lives well beyond the court.(cnn.com)
Summitt has previously received numerous lifetime achievement awards—from the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (2012)(utsports.com) to the Annie Oakley Society (2014)(ncaa.com).
Meanwhile, the NCAA’s Pat Summitt Award, introduced in 2017, honors those who—like Summitt—dedicate themselves to athlete development and life impact, continuing her legacy of excellence on and off the court.(ncaa.org)
Summitt’s WeCOACH award is a clarion call for aspiring and current women coaches:
- Representation matters: Seeing a woman recognized for excellence across decades inspires others to strive for greatness.
- Balanced leadership: Her emphasis on character, integrity, and education serves as a coaching blueprint.
- Trailblazing spirit: She showed it was possible to break glass ceilings, even in the 1970s and 80s—a model for future pioneers.
Her life and legacy remind us that the true measure of greatness lies in leadership, advocacy, and transformative influence.
This award sends a powerful message:
- Sports institutions: Highlighting the importance of recognizing women’s coaching achievements.
- Current coaches and players: Encouraging growth, resilience, and holistic leadership.
- Girls and young women: Advancing the belief that they can lead, excel, and lead change in sports.
Pat Summitt’s recognition by WeCOACH is more than retrospective—it’s prophetic. Her extraordinary legacy continues to light the way for future generations as they navigate coaching, leadership, and advocacy in women’s sports.
To quote a fan reflecting on her impact:
Though Pat Summitt is no longer with us physically, her spirit lives on in every coach, player, and leader who follows the path she pioneered. This Lifetime Achievement Award is a fitting, extraordinary tribute to a life that transformed sports and empowered so many.
- Full details of the WeCOACH Lifetime Achievement Award class of 2025 and the May 19 ceremony
- A comprehensive look at Summitt’s coaching accomplishments
- Her previous honors, including Presidential Medal of Freedom, Arthur Ashe Courage Award, and Naismith Coach of the Century
Pat Summitt once said that coaching “has always been an opportunity to help student-athletes discover what they want.” With this award, the torch she carried burns even brighter—for decades past, and those yet to come.
