Aug. 26, 2011

by Debby Jennings, Assoc. AD for Media Relations

The out-pouring of love for University of Tennessee Lady Vol basketball coach Pat Summitt has been overwhelming since she shared that she was dealing with early onset dementia on Tues., Aug. 23. Fans reached out on Twitter @Lady Vol_Hoops and filled the wall on the Lady Vol Facebook page (facebook.com/BallWithTheLadyVols) with some encouraging words.

Practically overnight, the website, "We've Got Your Back Pat," sprang up on Facebook as another outlet to convey good wishes to the coach. It was there that a Facebook invitation for fans everywhere to wear orange today in support of Coach Summitt was circulated.

This afternoon, Pat spent some time reading all of the comments on Facebook and Twitter and was amazed at the out-pouring of love and encouragement.

Then she asked how she could thank all of you, and we shot a quick video.

"Make sure everyone knows how much this means to me and my family," Summitt said. "This just shows you that together we can conquer anything! I feel all of the love and support and you all know that orange is my favorite color."