When Pat Summitt retold her son’s team eviction story and expressed her mindset: “I hate to lose”

Pat Summitt was one of the most legendary coaches in women's college basketball history. She spent her entire coaching career, from 1974 to 2012, with the Tennessee Lady Volunteers and led them to eight NCAA championships.

Summitt was known to be a tough coach who did not go easy on players. Her icy stare followed any poor play, also known as "The Summitt Stare." She only wanted the best from people, and one incident from her personal life bears testament to this.

In an episode of her online leadership program, Definite Dozen, Pat Summitt recalled the time her son, Tyler Summitt, was cut from his team.

"My first thought is, 'What coach in East Tennessee would cut my son?,' she said. "I mean think about it. You know, put him at the end of the bench, but give him a uniform. And then I guess the coach came out in me."

She then changed course and noticed that Tyler had two basketballs under each arm. Pointing to it, she said:

"'Tyler, if you wear out both those basketballs, I promise you, I guarantee you'll make the team next year. Do you hear me,' and he goes 'Yes ma'am.' I said, 'let's get it done.'"

With this, Tyler asked her if she would help him gain his spot on the team. While she agreed to help, she had one thing to add:

"I said, 'Son, I will help you, but I will not start your engine. You must start your engine every day,'" Summitt recalled. "A defining moment in his life. It changed him, it changed his focus, it changed his work ethic, his drive. And I haven't had to motivate him since then, not at all."

Pat Summitt added that when she tells this story to people, they always point out that doing something like this is not easy. To this, she said:

"It is if you're driven to be successful. and I've always been driven to be successful. I hate to lose."

Pat Summitt's unexpected diagnosis cut her coaching career short

In 2011, Summitt was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. In her final season with the Lady Volunteers, the coach played a restricted role as then-assistant coach Holly Warlick took over most coaching responsibilities.

Summitt resigned in 2012 and was conferred with the title "Head Coach Emeritus" by Tennessee. This meant that she could attend games and assist Warlick. After an illustrious coaching career, Summitt passed away in 2016.