With the announcement that Pat Summitt is stepping aside at Tennessee, media attention has been focused on her legacy as an icon in the game and in women’s sports.  Coach Summitt had a profound effect on
many that have a role in the game. I’ve been broadcasting women’s basketball games on TV for 24 years and
had the pleasure of covering Pat Summitt most of those years. I would like to share some stories about Pat that are examples about her lighter side.  It is fun to be an associate of Pat’s.  I have many behind the scenes stories but these are a few of the highlights for me:
“The Practical Joker”
I enter Tennessee’s locker room before the game while the team is going thru pre-game warm ups to visit with Coach Summitt. I mention to Pat “it’s a good thing you don’t watch your team warm up before the
game because they don’t use a ball! They have bells and whistles, cones and defensive slides but no ball. I’ve seen no jump shots!” Summitt kicks me out of the locker room for my distraction. I return to my broadcast location.  Minutes before tip, the UT strength coach approaches me with a quick cadence and a grim look.  She says Coach Summitt fired her because of what I said about Tennessee’s warms up. I’m mortified to think Coach Summitt  fired her based on what I said! Then she says she was just kidding.  I look towards the UT Bench and Coach Summitt is laughing. She got me!
 
“The Shirt off Her Back”
Tennessee at Georgia halftime speech with camera access. I’m working with
Beth Mowins courtside.  Pat has removed her suit jacket revealing her shirt.  I tell Mowins Pat should give me that  shirt since she never wears the same apparel twice. 2nd half resumes,
Tenn wins and we go into the UT locker room post game to visit. 
I tell Pat I loved the shirt she was wearing and since she doesn’t wear the same thing twice she should give her shirt to me.  She laughs and shrugs it off.  We continue to chat with the staff as Pat slips off into the locker room.
She returns with her shirt in her hands and her suit jacket buttoned up to her chin and gives me her sweat wore shirt.  Mowins adds she liked the watch Pat was wearing but she doesn’t get her watch!

 “The Name Dropper”
February 5, 2009, Pat Summitt reaches 1000 wins over Georgia and I’m on the call. 
I visit with Pat after the game but I have an 8am meeting in Indianapolis
the next morning.  I’m planning to  drive the 6 hour trip thru the night alone.  I visit with Pat to congratulate her
after the milestone win departing Knoxville at 11pm. 2 AM south of Cincinnati on I75 with no other cars on the road, for some reason the Kentucky State Trooper pulls me over. 
He approaches the car and asks me where I’m going and where I’ve been.  I tell him of my destination
and asked him if he liked basketball and did he know who Pat Summitt is.  Of course this state trooper knows who Pat Summitt and this is Kentucky so coincidentally, he likes basketball.  I tell him I just worked the game where Pat Summitt reached 1000 wins, a milestone that may never be duplicated and what
a thrill it was to be a part of history. He smiles, asks me some questions about broadcasting and then lets me
go!  Pat Summitt’s name got me out of a speeding ticket in Kentucky!

 “The Stare”
 Pat is famous for that stare and I’ve received “the stare” but not on the basketball court.  Let
the record show that Pat Summitt and Billie Moore never beat me and Mickie “Golf
Consigliore” DeMoss on the golf course.  Our record is 8-0.   Playing one afternoon around the Hall of
Fame festivities, Pat and I are on the same team for the final 6 holes.  We arrive at the 18th hole and I have a
22 foot, slight downhill, left to right break. It is a difficult putt to win the
match. I’m studying the putt like a pro from every angle, listening to the heckling from the opposition. 
Pat clears her throat, looks at me and says with the stare, “UH, YOU WILL
MAKE THIS PUTT.”  Counting my blessings I didn’t let her down. 
However, the pressure to perform was certainly unnerving from “the stare.”  
 
“The Dean”
Dean Smith is an iconic name like Pat. Both have been duplicated and studied as two of the best teachers in basketball.  The day I met Coach Smith was ironically the same day Pat was going to win game #880 and pass this legend.  I was working in Chapel Hill 1st and 2nd round for ESPN.  I walked into his unassuming office
with the slanted roof and no window in the building that bears his name under the guise of not discussing the record.  We visited about golf, the game in general, personalities on the women’s side that he was curious about and he autographed several pieces of memorabilia for my boys. When I got ready to leave, he wanted to discuss Pat and how proud he was she had accomplished so much and what she meant to young women. 
It was a very poignant and respectful moment in our game for me.

 “The Ride”
The day after my Coach, Kay Yow lost her battle with cancer Pat called me because she knew how much I loved my coach.  She asked me where I was and how I was getting to the funeral.  I told her since the funeral was on a Friday and I would be in Nashville on that Thursday; I would find a flight and get to Raleigh Friday morning.  She said no, I would drive from Nashville to Knoxville and ride with her on her private plane to make sure I could attend.  It was coincidence that I was in Nashville and able to get to Knoxville, but she would have brought the plane to me if necessary. 

Excerpts from my “State of the Union” on
women’s basketball delivered at the Naismith Tip Off luncheon in Atlanta October
25, 2011. I was riding in the back of a cab in Washington DC last February, the
same day President Obama was delivering his annual State of the Union.  The taxi driver asked if I was in town
for the State of the Union.  My
puzzled reply was what State of the Union?  I had no clue! 
It spawned my campaign for the good of our game! 
I’m now “Madame Resident” because I live inside the game like you!  Cast your vote for Madame Resident!



1.     
 Employment:
Our game has more million dollar coaches than ever. 
Look at the bench in college basketball. More suits than uniforms. Unemployment rate on the national level
is at 9% and 46 million Americans are out of work. 
Not in my basketball administration.  Head Coaches make so much money; I’ve
made it a personal rule never to pick up the tab in their presence. Economy in
great shape thanks to the efforts of many to put more games on TV and put our
game in the main stream sports culture.

 2.     
Health Care:
This is the year of the concussion, not the ACL.  There’s good and bad in this.  Coaches need to train the neck, not just train from the neck up!  We’ll nationalize the concussion test so it will be clear who gets
cleared.

 3.     
Gov’t regulations: I promise to clean up officiating.  We’re going to standardize the rules.  A foul on
the east coast is a foul on the west coast.  Traveling on the West Coast is traveling on the east coast.  
Let’s Go Green!  The NCAA rule book is bigger than the IRS tax code. We’ll create a better environment and
save a few Stanford tree mascots.

4.     
Defense:
We will spend NO money on defense. My fellow Americans don’t care about Defense! We will put our money into  the pick n roll, running the flex, executing horns, drilling every option in the
motion and dribble-drive game.  We will protect the shooter and reward those teams that put 100 points on the
board. What were we put on this earth to do?  SCORE!

 5.     
Homeland Security Not on my watch will this happen again! A TSA screening breach of
3-1-1. 3 people, 1 security guard, 1 borderline legal fun time at a sporting
event.

 6.     
Domestic
Relations/Diplomacy: There are times it will require covert operations but I have a proven track record of bringing people together, no matter their differences for the diplomacy of the game! Two colossal giants in
the world of basketball can and will persevere for what’s good and for what’s right.

 7.     
Education. “No Fan left behind”.  It’s you!  The people matter!  You pay to park, pay for a
ticket, buy concessions and attend the game we all love. The fan should be rewarded for their investment in the game.   And you will be rewarded with the best product we can put on the floor if
you will continue to show up and
support.

On December 21, the University of Connecticut basketball team will compete against the College of Charleston at 7pm at the TD Arena.  UCONN arrives in Charleston coming off the Baylor game on Sunday night, December 18.  The #2 ranked UCONN Huskies carries a gaudy pedigree and impressive numbers:  participants in the last 4 Final Fours, 12 overall with 7 national championships.  This basketball program creates a buzz and the Cougars will have to “pick their poison” in trying to stop a team that prides itself on discipline, sharing and winning.     

Call to action Charleston!  In the spirit of the holiday season of giving and sharing, let me share some friendly advice with you.  Experience basketball at the highest level in our city played by women who are highly skilled, competitive and fun to watch.  The UCONN basketball experience is similar to the Boston Pops or the Rockettes coming to town.  We’d be scouring for tickets to see one of those traditional holiday experiences and should feel the same vibe about a chance to witness the UCONN women play hoops. 

As a basketball analyst who’s covered the college basketball landscape over two decades, I rarely encounter guarantees in sports and certainly not many worth wagering your mortgage.  But I can say with unwavering certainty if you bring your son or daughter to witness the UCONN women play, you will be entertained.  These women play with discipline, share the basketball and ooze passion about respecting the game by playing the right way as a team.  Head Coach Geno Auriemma’s players love to showcase their skills at the highest level, knowing they are ambassadors with proving-power they can and will allow you to join in the fun.

“Tim Tebow Like”

The UCONN Women share a “Tebowism”.  They believe when they put on the uniform, they will win.   Tim Tebow is the quarterback of the Denver Broncos who has become polarized and scrutinized by experts and fans.  What makes UCONN “Tebow-like?”  They only accept winning.  The Huskies have a culture of competitive greatness.   They are inherently confident with a high self esteem about their identity as players and a program. 

When you watch UCONN play, you see attention to detail, the extra pass and a forty minute focus.  This is not a high flying circus act above the rim, but they control the ground better than most.  Geno has more High School All Americans than starting positions.  The last 5 years, he has signed the number one recruit in the nation so skill level and ability to make plays is instinctive.  UCONN will play hard.  It’s the only way they know, like Tebow. 

Geno Like

Iconic Geno Auriemma, the Naismith Hall of Fame Coach is relentless in his pursuit of excellence.  Geno is more teacher than drill sergeant; more philanthropic than tyrant to those who know him or have played for him.  I’ve witnessed Geno in teaching moments that required patience to break down the game to its simplest form.  At times the game is a science, at times it is an art and Coach Auriemma has created a style of play that exudes both.  Don’t get me wrong, there are some people out there that wouldn’t mind seeing Geno “take 2 shots to get out of the bunker” because they are smitten with his level of success and bravado.  The 27 year head coach of the Huskies and 2012 Olympic Coach breeds confidence, consistency and an evolving knowledge of the game.    

Secret formula uncovered

One of my favorite scenes from the movie “Space Jam” involves Bugs Bunny offering his Looney Tune teammates a swig from his bottle of “secret stuff” before the game against the Monstars.  Ironically, the secret is there is no secret.  If there was a secret formula, what coach would say no to what Geno bottled?  Yes, his sideline demeanor is demanding but I don’t know many coaches that wear a forty minute smile on their face and have his hall of fame resume.  The secret is more rudimentary in our society than people admit. Hard work, discipline, choices and building self confidence and a belief in your teammates is no secret to success.   Demand discipline from those that have a competitive heart and work ethic and you will see results.   I contend teams that play for a higher purpose than individual agenda, see results.  The UCONN women play for many reasons but all share the same appetite to win. 

The Boston Pops don’t just show up and toot and strum, nor do the Rockettes show up and dance and kick.  The UCONN women have refined their skill and will showcase countless hours of work with an entertaining style of play on the floor.  Your reward will be to show up.  The secret is there is no secret formula for hard work and commitment to a goal.  Come out and support women’s basketball!  If TD Arena can be as energizing as it was for the Tennessee win last week, this could be a fitting retirement present for Cougar Head Coach Nancy Wilson. 

Debbie Antonelli

ESPN, CBS, Fox Basketball Analyst

Web site: www.debbieantonelli.com

twitter: @debbieantonelli

My Penn State Experience
Today, November 10, 2011 my 9 year old son Patrick left the house for school like he always does, with his book bag over his shoulder and his lunch box in his hand. The weather is changing and he required a jacket. The weather will be in the mid 70s today but this morning was in the 50s.  He grabbed the same hooded gray jacket that he has been wearing for the past 2 years, the jacket that reads Penn State across the front.  You see, Penn State is an iconic, idolized brand in our house. My husband Frank grew up watching and cheering for Penn State and revering Joe Paterno. Those affections have been passed to my three boys.

 We love Penn State Football and Joe Paterno.  A football Saturday with Penn state on television means we watch it live and tape it so we can watch it again.  My boys know the starting line ups, most of the history of the program and can recite some of the best linebackers in the history of Penn State football. All of my boys are capable of recanting these Penn State names and memories, including my 9 year old Patrick.   But instead of letting him wear that jacket, today I said no.  I couldn’t bear to watch my 9 year old son wear that jacket today; 2 nights removed from reading the grand jury report on Jerry Sandusky and what allegedly took place over the past 15 years with small boys; and the day that Joe Paterno has been fired.  I couldn’t bear to watch him put that jacket on and wear it to school.   When I read the grand jury report and read over and over about victim 8 who suffered the same horrific experience as victim 1, I was sickened and upset. I’m heartbroken and saddened beyond what these words can express for the victims that didn’t do anything wrong to deserve such treatment and for a crushed group of men in my house.  I never claimed to be a great writer but I claim to want to make a difference especially in the lives of my children.  I want to stand for something, chose my stance wisely and pray that my boys will always make good choices in their conduct and decision making.  With unwavering self-doubt, I am someone who will not allow ANYONE to hurt another that is vulnerable, weak or incapable of helping themselves.   What Jerry Sandusky did is irreversible and deplorable.  I wondered half way thru the grand jury report if I should continue to read because it was so sickening, it was difficult.  But I read on for the safety of my family and my children.  If you haven’t read it, it’s disgusting and you must be sure you can stomach the results of the 23 page document. 

Joe Paterno is continuing to teach maybe his greatest lesson in his saddest moment for himself and his university.  Joe Paterno is a great man, who used football to create future leaders.  He was first a teacher who espoused the ideals of integrity, character and service.  He gave to Penn State of free will and sound mind and was as generous as any coach in American Sport.  Penn State Football was supposed to be one of the good guys, a program beyond reproach, beyond question since there weren’t NCAA rules violations and the discipline that Joe installed in his program was of the highest regard for empowering his young men to learn to do things the right way, not take short cuts. If you got a parking ticket on Penn State’s campus, you paid the fine and the consequences.  You went to class. You knew what was expected of you as a young man in that program.  Those traits and characteristics are still a part of the fabric of who Joe Paterno is and what he represents.  He made Penn State unique. Joe Paterno created a perceived stance that Penn State is one of the last, truly good representatives of college athletics for honesty, integrity and role models for us to look to for inspiration.    

 

My challenge is to teach my boys to do many of the same things.  Joe is a great man who made a moral mistake and a big one because it affected the lives of many innocent and vulnerable and empowered Jerry Sandusky to continue to hunt young boys and get away with unspeakable acts.  I want my boys to make the right choices and stand for a cause that might be bigger than themselves but understand what is a role model and who the important people in their lives are that can make a difference for them and with them. 

Today is Patrick’s teacher’s birthday.  Amy Ryan is a terrific fourth grade teacher and true role model for my children.  Patrick wanted to do something special for his teacher today so he asked if we could get up early and go to Starbucks to get Mrs. Ryan a cup of coffee because he knew she would appreciate his special thought.  When we arrived in the classroom to deliver her cup of coffee, many of the children in the classroom had lined up to hand Mrs. Ryan a small birthday gift and/or share a birthday hug.  She received each gesture and gift as if it was the most important thing she had ever received in her life.  I watched the smile on Patrick’s face form from ear to ear.  He was beaming.  He gave his teacher a special gift and she gave one right back to him.

We should think about the people in our lives on a daily basis.  The teachers in our children’s lives are real heroes.  If you have a kid in school, you should know what I mean.  We entrust our children to their care, support, safety and intellectual and emotional development.  The minute they leave our arms in the morning, they are exposed to people we trust and have empowered to do the right things with our children and for our children.  Good teachers and educational leaders are the real heroes and leaders in our lives and the lives of our children.  We should tell our teachers and educators, the good ones, more often. 

The lessons and conversations this situation exposed to our family has forced me to have tough, important and meaningful conversation with my boys.  The conversation is about choices and doing the right thing. I believe there are people categorized in this world as those that will take a stand and those that will turn their head and look the other way.  I hope my boys will take a stand and do the right things.  That’s my prayer every night for my family.