Pat Summitt

The White House announced Thursday that former Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt will receive the nation's highest civilian honor, The Medal of Freedom. Through a statement released by the press secretary's office, President Obama said: “Coach Summitt is an inspiration - both as the all-time winningest NCAA coach, and as someone who is willing to speak so openly and courageously about her battle with Alzheimer's.   "Pat's gift has always been her ability to push those around her to new heights, and over the last 38 years, her unique approach has resulted in both unparalleled success on the court and unrivaled loyalty from those who know her and those whose lives she has touched.  Pat's coaching career may be over, but I'm confident that her work is far from finished.  I look forward to awarding her this honor.” Summitt was notified of the award last week.

LONDON - On the floor of North Greenwich Arena late Saturday night after the U.S. women's basketball team had blasted France, 86-50, in the Olympic final, Candace Parker wrapped her 3-year-old daughter, Lailaa, in her arms and kissed the girl on the cheek. Lailaa responded by kissing the gold medal hanging around Parker's neck. "She asked me where the smaller one was for her," Parker said. "We'll have to try and get her one. " I could see that day coming for little Lailaa in the 2032 Olympics, when the U.S. women's basketball team still might be riding a gold-medal streak.

The University of Tennessee announced Wednesday that Pat Summitt will step down as head coach, a decision that has deeply affected many around the basketball community, including Boston Celtics Coach Doc Rivers. In Rivers' postgame press conference Wednesday evening after the Celtics beat the Orlando Magic, 102-98, the NBA coach paid tribute to the winningest coach in college basketball history.  Rivers choked back tears as made the following statement: "I want to finish with Pat Summitt.

WASHINGTON -- The White House has announced this year's recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. The list of 13 honorees includes musician Bob Dylan, writer Toni Morrison, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Shimon Peres. “These extraordinary honorees come from different backgrounds and different walks of life, but each of them has made a lasting contribution to the life of our nation,” President Obama said in a statement. “They've challenged us, they've inspired us, and they've made the world a better place.  I look forward to recognizing them with this award.” The awards will be presented at White House ceremony later his spring.

WASHINGTON -- The White House has announced this year's recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. The list of 13 honorees includes musician Bob Dylan, writer Toni Morrison, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Shimon Peres. “These extraordinary honorees come from different backgrounds and different walks of life, but each of them has made a lasting contribution to the life of our nation,” President Obama said in a statement. “They've challenged us, they've inspired us, and they've made the world a better place.  I look forward to recognizing them with this award.” The awards will be presented at White House ceremony later his spring.

Pat Summitt says she has early onset dementia -- Alzheimer's type -- but isn't going to let that keep her from what she loves doing: coaching women's basketball at the University of Tennessee. In a heartfelt interview with the Washington Post, the winningest coach in college basketball explained that she had received the diagnosis but that it took her a while to accept it.  Early-onset Alzheimer's can be a difficult diagnosis to face. It sets in well before the age of 65, the Mayo Clinic explains, the typical lower limit for standard Alzheimer's disease, and thus affects people when they're still in their prime, often with elderly parents or young children to care for as well.

Pat Summitt, the winningest coach in college basketball history, is stepping down as the University of Tennessee's women's coach, the school announced Wednesday. Summitt, who was diagnosed less than a year ago with early-onset dementia-Alzheimer's type, will take the title of "head coach emeritus. " She will be replaced by Holly Warlick, who has served as Summitt's assistant for 27 seasons. "I've loved being the head coach at Tennessee for 38 years, but I recognize that the time has come to move into the future and to step into a new role," Summitt said in the university's statement.

. -- Pat Summitt now has 1,000 victories, an unprecedented height even she finds dizzying. "It's a hard number to even comprehend," the Tennessee coach said. Summitt became the first Division I basketball coach -- men's or women's -- to win 1,000 games Thursday night as her 12th-ranked Lady Vols beat Georgia, 73-43. It was their second chance in four days at giving their coach her latest and one of her greatest milestones.

Pat Summitt will be stuck on 999 coaching wins until at least Thursday night, when Tennessee plays host to Georgia. That much was certain after her No. 12 Lady Vols lost, 80-70, to No. 2 Oklahoma on Monday. "I'm not concerned about a number for me," Summitt said. "I'm concerned about this basketball team investing in our system and not picking and choosing when they want to play hard."

I think the Clippers should hire Pat Summitt as the new head coach. DAVID M. SHERR Santa Monica

The White House announced Thursday that former Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt will receive the nation's highest civilian honor, The Medal of Freedom. Through a statement released by the press secretary's office, President Obama said: “Coach Summitt is an inspiration - both as the all-time winningest NCAA coach, and as someone who is willing to speak so openly and courageously about her battle with Alzheimer's.   "Pat's gift has always been her ability to push those around her to new heights, and over the last 38 years, her unique approach has resulted in both unparalleled success on the court and unrivaled loyalty from those who know her and those whose lives she has touched.  Pat's coaching career may be over, but I'm confident that her work is far from finished.  I look forward to awarding her this honor.” Summitt was notified of the award last week.

The University of Tennessee announced Wednesday that Pat Summitt will step down as head coach, a decision that has deeply affected many around the basketball community, including Boston Celtics Coach Doc Rivers. In Rivers' postgame press conference Wednesday evening after the Celtics beat the Orlando Magic, 102-98, the NBA coach paid tribute to the winningest coach in college basketball history.  Rivers choked back tears as made the following statement: "I want to finish with Pat Summitt.

Pat Summitt, the winningest coach in college basketball history, is stepping down as the University of Tennessee's women's coach, the school announced Wednesday. Summitt, who was diagnosed less than a year ago with early-onset dementia-Alzheimer's type, will take the title of "head coach emeritus. " She will be replaced by Holly Warlick, who has served as Summitt's assistant for 27 seasons. "I've loved being the head coach at Tennessee for 38 years, but I recognize that the time has come to move into the future and to step into a new role," Summitt said in the university's statement.

You won't start many arguments by suggesting Pat Summitt will be remembered as one of the greatest coaches of any sport, of any gender, of any generation. Sadly, though, a legendary career that stretched almost four decades ended sooner than anyone anticipated. Summitt, 59, announced her resignation as Tennessee's women's basketball coach Wednesday, less than a year after she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Longtime assistant Holly Warlick will take over as head coach with Summitt remaining at the school as "head coach emeritus.

Pretty much everyone who wanders into Pat Summitt's office or visits her basketball practice these days has learned to fear the iPad. The coach keeps her tablet filled with brain-wrenching games. Crossword puzzles and Sudoku. Math quizzes and memory tests. "When people come by," said Tyler, her son, "she gets them to sit down and try one of those things. " It was seven months ago that doctors diagnosed Summitt with early-onset dementia, Alzheimer's type, an incurable brain disease that affects memory, thinking and behavior.

John McKissick is in his 60th season coaching the Summerville (S.C.) High School football team. No head football coach has held the same post longer. None on any level has ever won more games (589). But McKissick, who turns 85 this month, never thinks about retirement, because of what that might bring. "Most all of my buddies my age that retired, they all passed away," McKissick says in a smooth, genteel Southern drawl. "I'm not ready yet. I've got four great-grandchildren and I want to see what's going to happen to them.