forcing college basketball's all-time winningest coach to retire from the game she loves. She now focuses on confronting this disease both personally and publicly, as she undergoes treatment herself and she raises awareness about this dreaded affliction.
I was deeply affected by her story and wish her the best in her quest to 'keep on keepin' on'. My ties to her challenge run deep, as my grandmother was affected by this terrible disease and my mother recently lost her battle with cancer. It's so-so tough when the strongest person you know, your mom, is made weak by something that no one can strike back against. My heart and my prayers go out to Pat and her son Tyler as they undergo this formidable task.
If anyone can do it, the wonder woman, Pat Summitt can. God Bless you, Pat.
More Info:
According to a write up in Zap2it.com:
“I am humbled to receive an honor bearing Arthur Ashe’s name and to
join an amazing group of recipients who have received the Ashe Award at
the ESPYs. Besides being an incredible tennis player, I genuinely
admired Arthur’s honesty, integrity and conviction in all areas of his
life on and off the court. I will proudly accept this award,” said
Summitt.
“Pat Summitt’s accomplishments as a coach and mentor are unmatched
as she has dedicated her life to serving as an inspiration and a
motivator for generations of young students and athletes,” said ESPN’s
EVP of Programming and Acquisitions, Norby Williamson. “As she enters
this next phase of her life focusing on transforming her personal
adversity into making an impact on the fight against Alzheimer’s, we
could not be more proud to honor her as the recipient of the 2012 Arthur
Ashe Courage Award.”
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is presented each year to individuals
whose contributions transcend sports. Past honorees include: Jim
Valvano (1993); Steve Palermo (1994); Howard Cosell (1995); Loretta
Claiborne (1996); Muhammad Ali (1997); Dean Smith (1998); Billie Jean
King (1999); Dave Sanders (2000); Olympian Cathy Freeman (2001); Todd
Beamer, Mark Bingham, Tom Burnett and Jeremy Glick, four passengers who
lost their lives September 11 on United Flight 93 (2002); Pat and Kevin
Tillman (2003); Liberian-born soccer legend George Weah (2004); disabled
athletes Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah and Jim MacLaren (2005); Afghan female
athletes (2006); and Trevor Ringland and Dave Cullen for their work with
PeacePlayers (2007); U.S. Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos
(2008); former president Nelson Mandela (2009); the Thomas family of
Parkersburg, IA (2010); and boxer Dewey Bozella (2011).
