Epilogue: The Winning Goes On

THE 1997–98 SEASON ended in a sixth championship for Pat Summitt—a title that would have to tide her over for the next nine years. The wins, though, just kept coming. On Dec. 5, 1999, Summitt's victory over Wisconsin made her the fastest women's coach to 700 wins. On March 22, 2005, the Lady Vols beat Purdue 75–54 to give Summitt her 880th victory, moving her ahead of North Carolina's Dean Smith as the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history. After picking up her 900th victory with a win over Vanderbilt on Jan. 19, 2006, Summitt reached another milestone: first woman million-dollar coach. Last May, Tennessee signed her to a six-year contract extension that pays more than $1 million a year and keeps her in Knoxville through the 2011–12 season.

To Tennessee fans it will be money well spent. After three decades in Knoxville, Summitt's record stands at 947–180, her most recent season ending with a seventh championship that puts her just three titles away from tying John Wooden's alltime mark of 10. During her tenure the Lady Vols have won 26 Southeastern Conference tournament and regular-season championships. Tennessee has made an unmatched 26 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Sweet 16 and produced 12 Olympians, 19 Kodak All-Americas (named to 31 teams) and 65 All-SEC performers. Summitt's track record in the classroom is just as stellar. She boasts a 100% graduation rate among Lady Vols who have completed their eligibility at Tennessee.

Separated from R.B., the 54-year-old Summitt lives in Knoxville with her 16-year-old son, Tyler.