2023 marked the twelfth yr that Tennessee and different SEC groups have taken half within the “We Again Pat” initiative.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The “We Again Pat” initiative has been going robust for over a decade, and whereas Pat Summitt’s legacy won’t ever fade on Rocky Prime, the occasions enable the Woman Vols to proceed to honor the legendary head coach.
“It means every little thing. She led the way in which for girls on the whole, and I am simply glad that we simply bought to win in that jersey,” mentioned Jordan Horston, a senior guard/ahead. “I feel I may be undefeated in that jersey, to be trustworthy. You recognize, we went on the market and coach gave a speech (saying,) it is the proper alternative to offer thanks and present that we’re grateful.”
The Woman Vols wore jerseys with “Summitt” on the again that includes purple accents in Thursday’s 74-56 win towards Florida inside Thompson-Boling Enviornment. Even gamers like Rickea Jackson who’re enjoying their first season for Tennessee perceive the kind of determine Summitt was.
“Pat was the one who paved the way in which and made it cool to assist ladies in sports activities, and I simply really feel prefer it means so much, and I really feel like we bought this win and honor of her,” Jackson mentioned. “So, it simply feels good to have that on our again and to honor her in the way in which we did tonight.”
Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper performed underneath the well-known coach and was a part of three-straight NCAA Championship-winning groups (1996-1999). She mentioned Summitt’s presence was some of the memorable issues about her.
“You knew one thing modified when she walked right into a room. There are simply too many tales to simply dial it down to 1. Clearly, what she means to this program, to me, to this college — her contact was nationwide, worldwide, and it wasn’t nearly sports activities,” Harper mentioned. “I am reminded of that continually on this place. So many individuals wish to come inform me their story. Everyone has a Pat Summitt story. Everyone. It is all the time actually good to listen to.”
Summitt led the Woman Vols to eight NCAA Championships and 16 SEC titles in 28 years on the helm of this system. She amassed 1,098 school teaching victories, a slew of Coach of the 12 months honors, and was inducted into the Basketball Corridor of Fame in 2000. She can also be a member of the Girls’s Basketball Corridor of Fame and the FIBA Corridor of Fame as a participant.