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- calendar_today November 15, 2026
Pat Summitt to Be Honored With Commemorative USPS Stamp
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has announced that legendary women's basketball coach and Tennessee icon Pat Summitt will be featured on a postage stamp in 2027. This honor comes ten years after her passing and recognizes her outstanding contributions to college basketball and her impact on women's sports.
A Storied Career at the University of Tennessee
Pat Summitt served as head coach of the Lady Vols women's basketball team at the University of Tennessee for 38 years. During her impressive tenure, Summitt became, at one point, the winningest head coach of a college women's team in the country. She guided the Lady Vols to a remarkable 1,098 victories and led them to eight national championships, setting a standard for excellence in basketball coaching.
Early Life and Olympic Achievements
Born in Clarksville and raised in Cheatham County, Summitt attended the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she was a member of the inaugural women's basketball program. Her playing career included being part of the U.S. women's national basketball team, winning a silver medal at the 1978 Summer Olympics. She later coached the Olympic team in 1984, helping them secure a gold medal.
Advocacy and the Fight Against Alzheimer’s
In 2011, Summitt announced she had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease but continued to coach the Lady Vols through the 2011-2012 season, which would be her last. That year, she and her son, Tyler, launched the Pat Summitt Foundation, aiming to advance Alzheimer’s research, improve care and support for patients and caregivers, and educate the public about the disease.
The 2027 USPS Stamp Tribute
The forthcoming USPS stamp will feature a portrait of Pat Summitt based on a photograph taken by John Madere for the cover of her 1998 book Reach for the Summitt, co-written with Sally Jenkins. Artist Roberto Parada’s work will depict Summitt holding a basketball and leaning over a hoop with a basketball court backdrop. The Postal Service celebrated her as “demanding, disciplined and fiercely competitive,” noting that her leadership elevated women's basketball nationally and set new standards for supporting women athletes and coaches.
Summitt's Enduring Legacy
Pat Summitt passed away in 2016. Her contributions to college basketball, Olympic basketball, and advocacy for Alzheimer’s research continue to inspire athletes, coaches, and communities across the nation. The USPS stamp will serve as a lasting tribute to her remarkable career and lasting influence on the world of women’s sports.
Source: wkrn.com.
