Alysa Auriemma's tribute to Pat Summitt and the favorable response her blog has received from Tennessee women's basketball fans is another example of improving relations between the two programs and their respective fan bases since the storied series dissolved in 2007 over acrimony involving recruiting.
Summitt's secretary, Katie Wynn, said that outside of the UT faithful, Connecticut's fans have sent the most emails, cards and letters of support since Summitt announced last August that she had been diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type.
Danielle Donehew, who is helping administer Summitt's foundation for Alzheimer's education, research and support services, said that UConn women's coach Geno Auriemma was the first coach to contribute to the foundation. Donehew, who's also an associate commissioner for the Big East Conference, said that she went to a UConn practice last October to debrief Auriemma on her dual role. Before she finished her explanation, Auriemma had pulled out his checkbook and written a check.
Auriemma and Summitt shared a hug and a conversation at the women's Final Four in Denver last April. Auriemma said then that he talked with Summitt about her foundation and that he was happy to talk with Donehew when it first got started.
Tennessee Football Practice
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 8
secballer writes:
does Geno always have his check book on him? Thanks Geno
tovolny writes:
I am a hard core LadyVol fan, but I have known some of the parents of the Lady Huskies. The folks are first class, wonderful people. They always seemed to be interested in Summitt and always addressed her with respect, but they would easily trade two loses to another team for one victory against Tennessee. It is as if they enjoy Tennessee as the team to beat knowing a victory over the LadyVols makes all their preparation and tough practices worth while. I guess the Civil War will never end. But, as far as the U Conn folks are concerned, I love them as friends and not as hated enemy.
Wayfarer writes:
Thanks to UConn fans and Geno for supporting Coach Summitt.
Tennball writes:
Since she came to the practice to explain her dual role, I’m sure he knew in advance and brought his checkbook with him to personally make the contribution. The check not only showed support to the cause, but also support to her dual role.
fratricide08 writes:
Thank you UConn! You're now an honorary SEC team in my eyes -- a rival, competitor, and a person and team who supports a family member through tough times when genuine disaster strikes.
Mrlogic writes:
Can you imagine being able to recruit Russell and Davis and then playing Uconn again in front of 20,000 fans at Thompson Bowling Arena. If I was Russell or Davis I would wont to go to Tennessee just for a game like that; and then you would have the playoffs.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
Sadly, I have only been to 2 LadyVol games. Both were when UCONN was in town. Atmosphere was extremely wonderful. .
BigRMan writes:
When all the petty stuff can be put aside. UT & UCONN supporters have love for their own schools and what each has accomplished. However, with Alysa'srecent literary entries and Geno's support of Coach Summit & The Foundation a new respect has been forged that hopefully will do nothing but grow and help in turn grow the game of women's college hoops. Even beyond that it can serve as an example of how people from different areas can find common ground on which to build trust and understanding. This makes me want to sing, "We Are The World." (1985)
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