By Eric Stock and Greg Halbleib
NORMAL – Illinois State Hall of Fame coach Jill Hutchison remembers Pat Summitt as a friend, and experienced first-hand the qualities that earned Summitt high respect.
“We’ve always been professional colleagues and social friends,” Hutchison told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin. “When I retired, I can tell you the very first call I got was from Pat Summitt making sure I was okay and just checking things out.”
Summitt died this morning at age 64 after battling dementia associated with Alzheimer’s. Summitt is credited with growing women’s college basketball not only at Tennessee but in the nation, and won more Division I games than any other women’s college basketball coach.
“She has been the model for all women’s basketball coaches,” said Hutchison. “I think it has gone beyond basketball because it influenced other women’s sports when they were all in a growing stage.”
Hutchison admires Summitt’s legacy.
“She just has been the figure that we identify with women’s college sports now,” Hutchison said. “Pat was special. There will never be another one like her and she will be greatly missed.”
