I have tried my best to point out President Obama’s political and economic shortcomings but I have to give him credit for doing this today.
Photo by AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
President Barack Obama awards Pat Summitt, former women’s college basketball head coach, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Obama hails Pat Summitt as role model in medal ceremony
- By Michael Collins
- govolsxtra.com
- Posted May 29, 2012 at 4:56 p.m.
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama paid tribute today to former Tennessee Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt, presenting her with the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
At a White House ceremony this afternoon, Obama reflected on Summitt’s legendary career at Tennessee, her status as a role model to the young women she coached, and her tenacity in confronting the health problem that led to her retirement last spring.
“Anyone feeling sorry for Pat will find themselves on the receiving end of that famous glare,” Obama said.
Summitt was among more than a dozen political and cultural legends to receive the medal. The award is given to individuals “who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
Photo by Wade Payne
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, left, shakes hand with Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma before an NCAA college basketball game in Knoxville, Tenn., on Jan. 7, 2006. Tennessee won, 89-80.
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More details as they develop online and in Wednesday’s News Sentinel.
Photo by Steve Miller, Associated Press
Tennessee’s coach Pat Summitt, left, reacts with her team as they pull ahead in the final minutes against Connecticut to win 68-67, in Hartford, Conn., Saturday, January, 8, 2005.
AP
President Barack Obama looks to Pat Summitt, former women’s college basketball head coach, as he awards her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
AP
President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Freedom to former basketball coach Pat Summitt during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, May 29, 2012. The Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. It’s presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, to world peace or to other significant endeavors. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
AP
Pat Summitt, former women’s college basketball head coach, talks with Bob Dylan after they received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
AP
Pat Summitt, former women’s college basketball head coach, looks on as musician Bob Dylan, right, and former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens shake hands after they received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
