Pat Summitt's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Pat Summitt.
Pat Summitt was a highly successful American women's college basketball coach. She led the University of Tennessee Lady Vols from 1974 to 2012, amassing 1,098 career wins, a record at the time of her retirement. Widely considered one of the greatest basketball coaches ever, Summitt left an enduring legacy on the sport.
1976: Silver Medal at Summer Olympics
In 1976, Pat Summitt co-captained the United States women's national basketball team as a player at the inaugural women's tournament in the Summer Olympics, winning the silver medal.
1976: Master's Degree and Olympic Silver Medal
In 1976, Pat Summitt earned her master's degree in physical education and training and also won a silver medal as co-captain of the U.S. Women's Olympic basketball team in Montreal.
1978: First Number One Ranking and AIAW Final Four
In 1978, Pat Summitt directed the Lady Vols to their first number one ranking and participated in their first AIAW Final Four, where they finished third.
1980: AIAW Final Four Appearance
During the 1980–81 season, the Lady Vols made it to the AIAW Final Four for the third straight year; finished runner-up for the second consecutive year, losing to Louisiana Tech, 79–59.
1980: SEC Tournament
In 1980, Pat Summitt coached the Tennessee Lady Vols to the SEC Tournament. This was one of 16 SEC Tournament appearances.
1981: First NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament
During the 1981-82 season, Pat Summitt coached the Lady Vols in the first-ever NCAA women's basketball tournament.
1982: NCAA Regional—Final Four
In 1982, Pat Summitt coached the Tennessee Lady Vols to the NCAA Regional Final Four, marking one of her eighteen appearances in this stage of the tournament.
1984: Gold Medal as Olympic Head Coach
In 1984, Pat Summitt coached the U.S. women's team to an Olympic gold medal, becoming the first U.S. Olympian to win a basketball medal and coach a medal-winning team.
1984: Pat Summitt Coaches US Team to Gold at William Jones Cup
In 1984, Pat Summitt coached the team representing the USA at the William Jones Cup competition in Taipei, Taiwan. The team won all eight games and the gold medal.
1987: First National Title
In 1987, Pat Summitt led Tennessee to break through and defeat Louisiana Tech 67–44 to win the Lady Vols' first national title.
1988: Lady Vols in Final Four
In 1988, the Lady Vols made it to the Final Four yet again, but Louisiana Tech avenged the previous year's championship game loss with a 9-point victory and went on to win the title.
1989: SEC Title
In 1989-90, the Lady Vols started off the season well, winning the SEC title.
1991: Third National Title
In 1991, the Lady Vols beat Stanford, 68–60, to earn the chance to avenge the previous year's tournament loss against Virginia to secure their third national title in five years.
1995: Return to Final Four
In 1995-96, with freshman Holdsclaw and senior Michelle M. Marciniak, the Lady Vols won the SEC tournament and made a second straight Final Four trip.
1996: Lady Vols win National Title
Pat Summitt and the Lady Vols won three consecutive national titles from 1996 to 1998.
1997: Second Straight National Championship
In 1997, the Lady Vols, shocked previously undefeated Connecticut in the regional final before defeating Notre Dame and Old Dominion in the Final Four to win the team's second straight national championship.
1998: SEC Tournament Win
In 1998, The Lady Vols won a 93–75 victory over Louisiana Tech for their third straight national championship.
1998: Lady Vols win National Title
Pat Summitt and the Lady Vols won three consecutive national titles from 1996 to 1998.
1999: Induction into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
In 1999, Pat Summitt was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of its inaugural class.
2000: Naismith Basketball Coach of the Century
In 2000, Pat Summitt was named the Naismith Basketball Coach of the Century.
2000: Lady Vols Named Co-Team of the Decade at ESPY Awards
In 2000, the Lady Vols basketball team, coached by Pat Summitt, was named co-team of the decade at the ESPY awards, sharing the honor with the Florida State Seminoles football team. Pat Summitt was also named the Naismith Coach of the Century, and Chamique Holdsclaw was recognized as the Naismith Women's Collegiate Player of the Century.
2000: Lady Vols Claim SEC Title and Pat Summitt Earns 750th Win
In 2000, the Lady Vols secured another SEC title, achieving a perfect 14-0 record in SEC games. Additionally, Pat Summitt celebrated her 750th career victory during the regular season. The team finished with their fourth consecutive 30-win season.
2001: Lady Vols Win SEC Championship
In 2001, the Lady Vols won their fifth straight SEC championship. In addition, the team reached the Final Four in the NCAA tournament.
2002: Pat Summitt Achieves 800th Win
In 2002, Pat Summitt earned her 800th win as coach, achieving the milestone faster than any other coach. The Lady Vols compiled their sixth perfect SEC season and lost to UConn in the NCAA title game 73-68.
2002: Summitt Surpasses John Wooden in Final Four Appearances
In 2002, Pat Summitt made her 13th trip to the Final Four as a coach, surpassing John Wooden as the NCAA coach with the most Final Four appearances.
2004: Pat Summitt Becomes All-Time Winningest NCAA Basketball Coach
In 2004, Pat Summitt reached a major milestone, surpassing Dean Smith to become the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, with her 880th win. The Lady Vols won the SEC Championship and advanced to the Final Four but lost to Michigan State.
2005: Lady Vols Win Against UConn and SEC Tournament
In 2005, Tennessee ended their losing streak against Connecticut with a narrow victory. The Lady Vols rebounded from a sub-par SEC season to win the conference tournament for the second year in a row.
2006: Lady Vols Win Seventh Title
In 2006, The Lady Vols defeated four ranked teams, defeated UConn for the third time in a row and in the NCAA tournament, Tennessee won its seventh title against Rutgers.
April 8, 2008: Lady Vols Win Second Consecutive National Championship
On April 8, 2008, Tennessee won its second consecutive national championship (and eighth overall) by beating Stanford 64–48.
February 5, 2009: Pat Summitt Earns 1,000th Win
On February 5, 2009, Pat Summitt achieved her 1,000th win with a victory over the Georgia Lady Bulldogs. In recognition of this milestone, the Thompson-Boling Arena's court was named "The Summitt".
2009: The Sporting News Top 50 Greatest Coaches
In 2009, The Sporting News ranked Pat Summitt number 11 on its list of the 50 Greatest Coaches of All Time in all sports. She was the only woman on the list.
December 2011: Pat Summitt Honored as Sports Illustrated Sportswoman of the Year
In December 2011, despite her diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's disease, Pat Summitt was honored as the Sports Illustrated sportswoman of the year.
2012: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2012, Pat Summitt received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama, recognizing her significant contributions.
2012: Pat Summitt Receives USBWA Most Courageous Award and Arthur Ashe Courage Award
In 2012, Pat Summitt was awarded the USBWA Most Courageous Award and the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, recognizing her strength and bravery in facing her battle with Alzheimer's disease.
2013: Induction into FIBA Hall of Fame
In 2013, Pat Summitt was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.
2013: Statue Erected at University of Tennessee
In 2013, an eight-foot bronze statue was erected in Pat Summitt's honor on the University of Tennessee campus, commemorating her achievements.
2017: Establishment of the Pat Summitt Award
In 2017, the NCAA established the Pat Summitt Award to recognize individuals who positively influence college athletes, honoring her legacy.
2018: Statue Dedicated in Clarksville
In 2018, a statue was dedicated to Pat Summitt in her hometown of Clarksville, Tennessee, celebrating her life and legacy.
