Pat Summitt: “Start your own engine!”

Confidence, courage and character.

That’s what Lady Vols Head Coach Pat Summitt said she tries to instill in her teams. Summitt spoke Tuesday night to the Girl Scouts‘ “Women of Achievement” dinner at the Knoxville Convention Center. She said the key to success – in athletics and in life – is to have a vision, to set goals and to know where you are going.

Raised on a dairy farm with three older brothers and a younger sister, Summitt said she learned that a lot was expected of her. “Dad always said, ‘Hard work never killed anyone,’ but sometimes I wasn’t sure that was true,” she joked.

But, in seriousness, she advised that successful people have to be self-starters. “I tell my teams, ‘I will help you, but I will not start your engine. You have to have a winning attitude.’ This is what it’s all about.”

“You can lead me, but only I can walk the path,” she observed.

Other highlights of the evening:

  • Avice Reid, Holly Warlick and Andrea White were honored as Women of Achievement.
  • Former UT President Joe Johnson introduced Summitt. “You never have to apologize for Pat Summitt. And a lot of presidents from a lot of universities pray for a coach like that,” Johnson said.
  • Johnson also introduced “Gold Award Girl Scout,” Jennifer Wilson, a UT student whom Johnson said has the career goal to become a dean of students some day. “God bless her!” Johnson cracked.
  • Coach Summitt was named an “honorary Girl Scout” and presented with a sash full of badges.
  • Retiring Girl Scout CEO Lucille Griffo was surprised by being presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers as she sat at her table in the audience.

The event had the best attendance in its history, about 500. Among those in the audience: Jennifer Holder, Joan Cronan, Becky Hancock, Janet Testerman, Janet Crossley, Linnie and Charley Sexton, Shaun Fulco, Ellen Robinson and Peter Acly, Alan Carmichael, Lauren Christ, Bruce Hartmann, Jenny Hines, Amy Nolan, Deborah Sanderfur, Diana Morgan, Kay Clayton, Ann Goldstine, Mike Carroll, Georgiana Vines, Judith Foltz, Booth Kammann, Cindy Hassil, Michael Grider, John J. Duncan III, and Sam and Mary Anne Beall.

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5 Responses to Pat Summitt: “Start your own engine!”

  1. Jenny Hines, on April 29th, 2009 at 9:48 pm said:

    Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate one nonprofit fundraiser with another. The Girl Scouts Hall of Fame Dinner was different. Anything that features Pat Summitt is a thrill and is inspiring. The Girl Scouts Hall of Fame Dinner not only offered Pat Summitt but, in addition, presented three honorees—Holly Warlick, Avice Reid, and Andrea White.

    It is such a privilege to know and work with some of these women and to see what a positive effect they have on young women in the community.

    I must also say that it is gratifying to see the folks from Moxley Carmichael at so many events both supporting the cause and promoting these organizations in the community. Hats off to your great work in Knoxville and in supporting the people who make our city great!

    Jenny

  2. Sharon Pryse, on April 30th, 2009 at 11:10 am said:

    I concur with Jenny. Pat Summitt is a wonderful asset for our community, as is Moxley Carmichael. It really does take a village and thanks to all who give so much to make Knoxville a better place.

  3. Christine Jessel, on April 30th, 2009 at 1:23 pm said:

    Pat’s speech was incredibly inspiring. Thanks for the snippets. I’ll be posting the whole thing on YouTube in a couple of weeks or so and will let you know when its up … it was AMAZING.

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on April 30th, 2009 at 1:45 pm said:

    Wow, thanks everyone. You aren’t exactly slouches in the dedication to Knoxville department yourselves!

  5. Mary Leidig, on May 1st, 2009 at 8:51 am said:

    Ok, April 28 was an amazing night for Girl Scouting in East Tennessee.

    My heartfelt thanks to incredible support from our greater community for our East Tennessee daughters. I continue to be amazed at the generosity of spirit.

    Coach Pat Summitt gave back in an incredible way for Girl Scouting April 28 in her inspiring keynote address to more than 500 in attendance. This gala is the second year for this redesigned event, and we hope it is not only igniting our friends and leaders to support Girl Scouting – but it’s just an absolutely fun place to be.

    Giving Coach Summitt a Girl Scout sash was easy for us: She has been earning those Girl Scout badges her whole life. . .

    Thank you Moxley Carmichael for what you continue to do for our region.

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