May 14, 2005
Contact: Bud Grimes, University Relations
Pat Head Summitt 'coaches' UT Martin graduates
Martin, Tennessee - Pat Head Summitt couldn't pass up the opportunity to do a little coaching. The legendary coach of the UT Lady Vols basketball team used her time as speaker for the University of Tennessee at Martin's spring commencement to share personal memories with the graduating class and to offer some coaching advice for success.
Speaking on the basketball court that bears her name, she told the graduating class that she sat in their seats 31 years ago. Summitt, a UT Martin graduate, spoke of few regrets and admitted to having some fun while an undergraduate student. Walking the commencement stage in the style of a head coach, she urged the graduating seniors to do one thing she did not do when she finished college.
"I wish I would have said to all the wonderful faculty, the staff, the administrators, the great coaches that I had, 'Thank you for really caring about me, for making a difference in my life, for teaching me valuable life skills, much like my parents taught me.'"
Summitt also credited her friends with shaping her college experience.
"I really believe somehow that your college friends become the best friends and your lifelong friends," she said. "I cherish the times with all of those people, and I will tell you that they, too, helped me. They gave me an awful lot of confidence. They also told me that I could do and be whatever I wanted to be."
Looking to the future, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history told the graduating class to strive for the best in all they do. "I would encourage you to set high goals," she said. "A lot of people don't set high goals, because along with that comes the responsibility of reaching those goals."
Another key to success, Summitt said, is to work with great passion. "When you grow up on a dairy farm, cows don't take a day off, so we never had a day off," she recalled. "But let me tell you, within that environment, I learned that you can outwork people. So when you get your job, and you go to work, don't let anyone outwork you."
She spoke again of personal relationships and their importance in successful living. "As a coach of 31 years, there's not a piece of hardware that we've won that means as much as any one individual that I've had the chance to coach and teach and become friends with," she said. "Cherish your friendships."
Never straying far her coaching theme, Summitt added, "There is a winner inside of each of you. You've got to find your passion, and when you find your passion, just like my passion is coaching, don't ever let go of it. Hang on to it."
As she closed, Summitt told the audience, "You are in control of your life," and she mentioned four things that a person can control: attitude, how hard you work, how you treat other people and how you treat yourself.
"Some people focus on getting the best life has to give," Summitt said. "I challenge you, each of you, to give life your very best."
Dr. Nick Dunagan, UT Martin chancellor, presided over the exercises and conferred degrees. Attending the UT Martin commencement for the first time since becoming UT president was Dr. John Petersen and his wife, Carol.
"This is a place in which you learn how to live life besides just being educated," Petersen told the graduating class, adding, "I want to offer my congratulations as well to the faculty, to the staff, to the parents and all of the supporters of you, the students."
Lauren Brannon of Alamo, Tenn., UT Board of Trustees student member and graduating senior, closed the ceremony by singing the alma mater..
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