Pat Summitt steps down

I was never really a fan of Women's Basketball but this is painful to see.

For years I associated the game with the face of Pat Summitt, the greatest coach that any sport shall ever see. She is an inspiration not just to her sport, but to all who strive to achieve their dreams. I'm sure if you are reading this then most likely you are a sports fan and will see the story of Summitt within the next few days so I will spare you those details. Instead I will discuss what Summitt meant to the sport and sports in general.

Back in 1974 basketball was a mans sports, dominated by names like Chamberlain and Abdul-Jabar, no respectable sports network would have ever carried a game played by women, let alone televise it in primetime.

Then Summitt came along. She took over at the University of Tennessee and from the get go created an aura of victory for the Volunteers. Not only that she lit a spark that would turn the game into what it is today. While not directly influencing it's development, while Summitt was in the height of her career the WNBA was founded and gave a chance for young girls everywhere to achieve their dreams of playing professional basketball. It was a godsend and a blessing that could never have happened had it not been for the popularity of Pat.

She won countless national titles, and set record after record, but none of these things define the influence that Summitt had. If you go into any high school gym across America during basketball season you are going to  have a 50-50 shot of running into some pretty talented young women. Basketball is the most popular sports amongst teenage women in America, all thanks to Pat Summitt.

She broke down walls, she destroyed the notion of male dominance in sports, and she helped create a bright future for many talented athletes who may have had nothing before her.

Last month the National Championship game, Baylor vs Notre Dame, was watched by 4.244 million people nationwide, the largest since 2004. 30 years ago, they would have been lucky to have 10,000.

Pat Summitt stepping down is a sad day for me, as it should be for any true sports fan. Her influence can be felt all around the country, and will continue to grow even with her gone.

Watching Tennessee games won't be the same.