Knox County employee Pat Carson signs a banner in support of University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt, ,Wednesday March 28, 2012 in Knoxville, Tenn. The non-profit Alzheimer's Tennessee organized the "We Back Pat" campaign after Summitt revealed in August, 2011, that she'd been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, Alzheimer's type. (AP Photo/Knoxville News Sentinel, J. Miles Cary)NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt has been chosen Tennessean of the Year by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
Summitt announced last August that she had been diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type. Her team finished 27-9 this past season, won the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament championship game.
Hall of Fame president Dr. Bill Emendorfer, in announcing the choice Thursday, said Summitt is a shining example of why Tennesseans are proud to live in the state.
Summitt, who also won the award in 1988, will be honored May 19 in Nashville.