Put me in, Coach. I want to win.

I've got this list - a list of people I'd like to spend the day with, have a few drinks with, engage in conversation with...if I could ever be so lucky. Charles Barkley, Edward Norton, James Franco, and Bill Simmons to just name a few. The list hasn't changed much over the past few years but a name just recently made its way to the top of that list - Coach Pat Summitt.

A fan of ESPN's 30 for 30s, I was so excited to hear about the release of Nine for IXs, nine documentaries recognizing some of the greatest female game changers in sport history. The documentaries kicked off 2 weeks ago with a telling story of Venus Williams and how she brought awareness to women's tennis - equality was sought out, not just in interest of the sport, but also in winnings. Even those who do not follow tennis know the name; the Williams sisters have dominated the sport, but to learn about how they got to where they are now, that was a story in itself.

While 'Venus VS' was informative, last week's 'Pat XO' was all heart. Pat Summitt is the face of the Lady Vols, a basketball program that has gained more recognition than the men's over the past couple of decades. If you didn't know Pat Summitt before, you definitely respected her after watching 'Pat XO.' Her coaching methods not only made winners out of players on the court, but off the court, as well.

The presentation of the film was ingenious. Pat Summitt didn't usually reveal much softness about her. As a fan, all we saw was the focused Coach Summitt that occasionally blessed us with a smile upon victory. Conference Titles, National Championships, 100% graduation rate, and a handful of the biggest names in women's basketball under her wing - these are the bullets on her resume. The film highlighted clips of friends, family, and colleagues, which provided the fine print between her accolades. A softer side to the hard-ass coach was portrayed. Now you not only respected her, you loved her, too. Loved the way she taught, loved the way she raised her son, loved what she did for the sport, hated how she had to end her term so early but loved how she did it so gracefully and with such dignity.

When I picture Pat Summitt, I either have an image of her staring down one of her players...

or her standing on a ladder cutting down the net...

There are definitely less memorable images to have of someone. Coach Pat Summitt is a legend, and directors Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern Winters did an excellent job of portraying her as one in the film 'Pat XO.'


-bObD.