March Madness is well underway! It’s a great time for 318 Foundation to honor one of the greatest all-time coaches of women’s college basketball, Pat Summitt.
As the head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team from 1974 to 2012, Summitt was named NCAA Coach of the year numerous times for leading the Lady Vols to win eight NCAA national championships. At the time of her retirement, Summit was the “most winningest” coach in all of NCAA Division I basketball history, with 1098 victories.
Summit was able to create a culture of success, discipline, and achievement during her tenure at University of Tennessee. Known for her leadership and mentorship, she was able to shape the lives of her players, some of whom went on to play professional sports.
Candace Parker, one of Summitt's former players and now one of the greatest women’s basketball players of all time, spoke on Summitt’s influence.
During an espnW Women + Sports Summit in California, reflecting on the profound impact of Coach Summitt, Parker shared: “There was this one practice where I wasn’t giving my all, and Coach Summitt didn’t hesitate to kick me out.”
“She made it clear that nothing less than my best was acceptable.”
Parker showed up to the gym at 4AM the following morning, before all her teammates, but not before Coach Summitt. “It was a stark reminder that her dedication was unparalleled, and her influence was everlasting,” Parker said.
Parker’s story highlights just how impactful and beneficial a mentor can be to a student or athlete, something we at 318 Foundation believe fundamentally.
In historically underserved communities, young girls face a significant opportunity gap due to complex social, economic, and educational challenges, creating formidable barriers to their success. With this in mind, 318 Foundation was founded.
Of our three programs, 318 SPORTS is dedicated to empowering exceptionally talented athletes who may lack exposure or the necessary support to unlock their full potential. Our mission is to create transformative elite training experiences that not only enhance their athletic abilities but also focus on personal growth and empowerment.
It is our goal to give these girls the access and opportunity to find coaches and mentors that are as instrumental to their lives as Pat Summitt was to Candance Parker.
Taking inspiration, we aim to help guide the next generation.
As Coach Summitt would say, “Hard work breeds self-respect.”
Join us in the journey towards excellence with 318 SPORTS.
Subscribe to our newsletter today and follow as we highlight other notable examples of excellent leadership and mentorship in collegiate sports throughout March Madness: https://www.318foundation.org/
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