Pat Summitt has known about winning women's basketball championships for a long time. Her Lady Vols from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, were among the last four teams standing in the first NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship in 1982, though they lost to eventual champion Louisiana Tech University. And Summitt herself led the University of Tennessee, Martin, to a spot in the first AIAW National Basketball Championships in 1972.

In the 28 years Summitt has coached the Lady Vols, she has won six NCAA titles and appeared in 12 NCAA Women's Final Fours. Summitt trails only UCLA men's coach John Wooden for most NCAA basketball titles, and she has tied him for Final Four appearances. Wooden claimed 10 titles in 29 years, and Summitt has picked up six in 27 seasons -- including back-to-back-to-back crowns in 1996, 1997 and 1998 -- to pass legendary Kentucky men's coach Adolph Rupp. Summitt's teams also have played in and recorded the most NCAA tournament victories, winning 69 of 82 NCAA tourney contests.

Summitt values success off the court as well, and her Lady Vols take academics seriously. Every one of Summitt's players who has completed her eligibility at Tennessee either has graduated or is in the process of completing degree requirements. Summitt is an active spokesperson for the United Way, the Race for the Cure and Juvenile Diabetes.

In 1993, Summitt spoke about the transition from the AIAW to the NCAA for women's championships.

"Yet, I knew realistically that the only way the sport could grow to the level we enjoy today was under the umbrella of the NCAA. That brought instant credibility to women's athletics. It gave us that name attachment; it gave us championships in a first-class arena, and we needed that. I thought that without that, we may never have the opportunities to make the strides that are necessary for women to have what they have today."