Tory Verdi didn’t realize he’d been part of history when he walked off the floor for the final time in the 2012 season. Back then, the new UMass women’s basketball coach was an assistant at Kansas and the Jayhawks had just fallen to Tennessee, 84-73, in the Sweet 16.
The game turned out to be Summitt’s final coaching win, No. 1,098, the most by any Division I basketball coach.
Verdi, like most of his colleagues in coaching, mourned Summitt’s death Tuesday.
“It’s a sad day for everybody. She opened up so many doors for coaches and players and really put the sport on the national scene and did so much for females in general,” Verdi said. “Everyone is trying to emulate and copy what she achieved.”
Darrice Griffin, UMass’ senior associate director for internal operations, was a freshman when her Texas Tech squad fell to Tennessee, 75-59, in the 2005 Sweet 16.
She said Summitt’s contributions have been felt well beyond basketball.
“The things that she did transcend the game of women’s basketball. She changed college athletics. She changed sports in general and the way we view women in leadership roles in sport and the way we view female athletes,” said Griffin, who at 30 is one of the youngest senior administrators in Division I. “She really helped America and the world understand that it’s OK to be a staunch competitor as a woman.
“She was a leader of women. She empowered women and challenged women,” Griffin continued. “While she was making them better basketball players, she made them better people. At the end of the day it was so much more than just the game. It was preparing women for life after the game.”
Verdi said coaches throughout the game are trying to follow Summitt’s blueprint.
“What she did for women, was give them the confidence to do something special,” he said. “I think she was great for the sport in general. We’re in this business to grow and develop our student athletes and help them grow to be successful in society. Pat set the bar high in that regard. Everyone today is trying to follow that.”
UMass tennis coach Judy Dixon took to Twitter:
“We have lost a legend in the coaching profession as we mourn the passing of Pat Summitt, an iconic coach and mentor who changed the lives of so many young women. She was a true trailblazer whose career was a shining example of excellence for all.”
Former UMass men’s basketball coach John Calipari, who coach at Memphis, a Tennessee rival, tweeted his respects as well:
“HOFer Pat Summitt, a true ambassador for our sport, has also passed away. She championed women everywhere & created opportunities for them. Would there be a WNBA without her influence? Rest in peace, Pat. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.”
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage