Crowd gathered at Pat Summitt Plaza Tuesday night
photo by John Shearer
Fans sign a poster in tribute to Coach Summitt
photo by John Shearer
A personal note left by a fan
photo by John Shearer
A signed T-shirt left behind by fan at the Pat Summitt Plaza
photo by John Shearer
Numerous fans signed poster in support of Coach Summitt
photo by John Shearer
Area around Coach Summitt’s statue was covered with flowers and tributes
photo by John Shearer
A banner in tribute of the top Lady Vol
photo by John Shearer
A “We back Pat” T-shirt left behind at the Pat Summitt Plaza
photo by John Shearer
As the shadows began to lengthen Tuesday night an hour or so before dark, a crowd of about 50 people gathered at the Pat Summitt Plaza on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville.
They wanted to pay tribute in some way to this woman who had cast a very long shadow on the UT sports community, women’s basketball and the basic human existence.
Some were simple fans of Coach Summitt paying tribute, others were media members and some were just curiosity seekers. Current UT Lady Vols basketball coach Holly Warlick was standing across Lake Loudoun Boulevard after doing some interviews, and a former Lady Vol or two were also spotted.
Regardless of the reason, everyone seemed to be similar in quietly showing respect.
Since her death was announced early Tuesday morning, positive tributes have been pouring forth from everyone from President Barack Obama, to fellow members of the UT sports family to the common fans.
Besides the stories of the 1,098 career wins, the eight national championships, and her ability to motivate with her intense glare, there were also stories from the common fan.
Countless anecdotes were shared from people who remembered meeting her briefly and being touched by her kindness or humbleness.
With the show of support, her death at age 64 after being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease in 2011 might have brought the largest collective outpouring of love following the death of a coach or former coach in the South since Paul “Bear” Bryant’s death in early 1983 just weeks after coaching his last game.
And the gathering at Pat Summitt Plaza was one opportunity for fans to show their support, whether it was dropping off flowers, placing signed items, or simply stopping and reflecting for a moment or two.
Among the other tributes in Knoxville, Henley Bridge was lighted with orange, white and blue lights, while Ayres Hall on top of the Hill part of campus played the “Tennessee Waltz” on its electronic chimes at 8 p.m. She reportedly liked that song even more than “Rocky Top,” and officials wanted to play it at 8 to pay tribute to her eight national championships.
jcshearer2@comcast.net