Barack Obama to Honor Coach Pat Summitt With Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Obama will honor the retiring, legendary women’s basketball coach with the highest civilian award. Per Reuters: “President Barack Obama said on Thursday he will give the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the top civilian honor, to retiring University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt, who amassed the most wins of any men’s or women’s collegiate basketball coach. Summitt, 59, announced her retirement on Wednesday following the disclosure last year that she suffers from early-onset dementia. Obama, an avid basketball fan, said he was awarding her the medal for her inspiring work as a coach and for her willingness to speak openly and courageously about her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Summitt coached the Tennessee women’s team since 1974 and compiled a record of 1,098 wins and 208 losses, winning eight national championships. She also coached the U.S. women’s basketball team to an Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles in 1984.”