KNOXVILLE (NCAA) - The University of Tennessee's legendary women's coach Pat Summitt has vowed to continue coaching after revealing she has been diagnosed with early on-set dementia at the age of 59.
Summitt, who holds the NCAA Division I record for men and women's basketball with 1,071 career victories and eight national titles, was diagnosed earlier this summer but had waited to make an annoncement as she wanted to first talk to her players, two of whom - Glory Johnson and Shekinna Stricklen - only returned from the World University Games in China on Tuesday.
In a video statement on utsports.com, Summitt said she wanted to make a full disclosure as her programme has always been an "open book".
"Earlier this year the doctors at the Mayo Clinic diagnosed me with early on-set dementia, Alzheimers type, at the age of 59," Summitt said.
"I plan to continue to be your coach. For that reason I will be relying on my outstanding coaching staff like never before."
Summitt's assistants, Mickie DeMoss, Holly Warlick and Dean Lockwood, collectively have 89 years of coaching experience between them.
Before making the announcement public, Summitt had revealed her condition to the school, who offered their full support and told Summitt the coach's job was hers as long as she wants it.
Listening to Summitt's video statement, that could be for some time to come.
"I love being your coach and it is a privilege to go to work every day with the outstanding Lady Vol student athletes. I appreciate the complete support of UT chancellor Dr Jimmy Cheek and UT athletics director Joan Cronin to continue coaching at the Univertsity of Tennessee as long as the good Lord is willing."
Summitt, who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000, has been Tennessee's coach for 37 years, taking charge soon after joining the program as a 22-year-old graduate assistant.
She coached the United States to Olympic gold in 1984 in Los Angeles and silver at the 1976 Montreal Games.
Messages of support have poured in for Summitt, with a number of former players said to be heading to Knoxville to see her in person.
Former WNBA All-Star and four-time All-American Chamique Holdsclaw said: "My heart hurts for Coach Summitt and my Tennessee family. I just cried and cried when I initially found out. She has been an important part of my life and will continue to be. God has the final say."
United States international Candace Parker added: "Coach Summitt, you never cease to amaze me with your strength and courage. Whenever you face adversity you tackle it head on! True inspiration for me and one of the strongest women I know. I love you and we will handle this together as the Lady Vols always have, like FAMILY."
Parker's international coach, Geno Auriemma, who doubles as Summitt's arch-rival at the University of Connecticut, also offered his support.
"I was shocked and saddened to hear about the news regarding Pat Summitt's diagnosis," he said. "You don't necessarily associate dementia with people our age so this announcement really put things in perspective.
"Pat has great support from her family, friends and staff and I know they will help her immensely. There is no doubt in my mind that Pat will take on this challenge as she has all others during her Hall of Fame career - head on. I wish her all the best."
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