WEST HARTFORD, Conn - The University of Hartford men's and women's basketball team will host a We Back Pat game on January 22nd, 2025 in the Conference of New England (CNE) doubleheader against Roger Williams University to benefit the Pat Summitt Foundation, a fund of East Tennessee Foundation.
 
We Back Pat week started in 2012 in the Southeastern Conference to show support for legendary Lady Vol basketball coach Pat Summitt after her diagnosis of early-onset dementia, Alzheimer's type. Since then, We Back Pat games have been adopted by high schools and colleges across the country to support Pat's legacy, raising funds for the Pat Summitt Foundation and promoting awareness.
 
"We are grateful for the commitment from schools like the University of Hartford to continue Pat's fight against Alzheimer's disease. Pat was willing to do whatever it took to advance the game, and I think she would be honored to see the game coming together in her name to make a difference in this disease. Together we will win," said Morgan Vance, director of strategic initiatives and advancement for the Pat Summitt Foundation.
 
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, a neurodegenerative disease that currently has no cure. There are roughly 6.7 million Americans living with the disease, and over 11 million Americans providing unpaid care for them valued at approximately $340 billion.

"Pat Summitt represents resilience, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of excellence", said head women's basketball coach Polly Thomason. "Her impact on women's sports and her advocacy for athletes has inspired countless individuals, including myself. Supporting We Back Pat is crucial because it honors her legacy and raises awareness for Alzheimer's disease, a condition that affects so many lives. By standing with this movement, we not only pay tribute to her remarkable contributions but also foster a community that champions education, support, and hope for those affected by this illness."

"Pat Summitt's legacy lives not only in the success and victories she achieved on the court, but in the courage with which she faced Alzheimer's", said head men's basketball coach Aaron Toomey. "By raising awareness, we honor her strength, her dedication, and her unwavering spirit — a reminder that the fight against Alzheimer's is a battle we can all join, together. We are proud to join our women's team in honoring Pat's legacy and the fight against Alzheimer's."

For more information on how to get involved, please contact Morgan Vance at mvance@patsummitt.org. 

Hartford Athletics along with its' men's and women's basketball programs will be collecting donations to the Pat Summit Foundation at the game on January 22nd. Cash or checks will be accepted at the ticket table. Check should be make payable to The Pat Summit Foundation with "Hartford Basketball" in the memo line.
 
About the Pat Summitt Foundation
The Pat Summitt Foundation, a fund of East Tennessee Foundation, was established by Pat and Tyler Summitt in November 2011. Its mission is to advance research for treatment and a cure, provide care and support for patients and caregivers, and educate the public about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. To learn more, please visit www.patsummitt.org, like the foundation on Facebook.com/webackpat, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @webackpat.  
 
About East Tennessee Foundation
ETF is a public charity and community foundation created by and for the people of East Tennessee. Serving 25 counties with East Tennessee, ETF consists of many donors joined together to make the region they love a better place. ETF seeks to build endowments, creating a permanent source of philanthropic funding for the East Tennessee region. For more information, visit www.easttennesseefoundation.org.
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