Pat Summitt announced on Wednesday that after 38 years, 8 national titles and 18 Final Fours, she is stepping down as head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols. After being diagnosed with dementia in 2011, she chose to continue her coaching career. However, she passed many of her duties on to her assistants in order to focus on her health.

Summitt holds numerous collegiate records including the record for most victories in NCAA history with 1,098 (men or women).

Summitt leaves the game as one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history. Her contributions to the game and her influence on her players is widely known. In a sport so heavily dominated by their male counterparts, Summitt has carved out a piece of history for herself.

Her star power put women’s basketball on the map and brought about the rise in popularity of women’s college basketball. While I’ve been critical of women’s sports in the past, there’s no disputing the impact and influence of Summitt’s tenure. Her contribution to women’s sports goes beyond the hardwood and the sport of basketball will forever owe her a debt of gratitude.