"I'M ALL IN" - Pedal for Pat

PEDAL FOR PAT: A fundraiser benefitting The Pat Summitt Foundation while raising awareness for Alzheimer's disease.

I need your help.  I've joined Pedal for Pat, a 1,098-mile cycling fundraiser with each of the miles commemorating Pat Summitt’s 1,098 career victories.  As one of the "The Summitt Cyclists", I will ride nearly 100 miles a day for 12 straight days (October 17 - October 28, 2017).  The ride will start in Knoxville at the Pat Summitt Plaza on the University of Tennessee campus and end in Marathon, FL.  
 
WHY RIDE?  As the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, Alzheimer’s hits home for me.  I witnessed my beloved coach die from this horrible disease.  Publically, Pat fought Alzheimer’s with the same courage and relentless competitive spirit of leaving no stone unturned. Just as she did throughout her lifetime while winning games, capturing the hearts of millions and altering the lives of people like me, forever.  If Pat were alive today, she would make this ride – ALL IN – for any one of her players, the 161 of us who were so fortunate to have played for such an amazing force of a woman.  For Pat, I am riding 1,098 miles out of my comfort zone.  And to that exact point, all 161 of us were pushed out of our comfort zones by Pat to equip us with the tools to become successful in life.

A few years before Pat’s death, she looked at me with her piercing blue eyes and said, “Michelle, I am proud of you for starting your own business and becoming a successful entrepreneur.  It is amazing what you have been able to do outside of basketball, outside of your comfort zone.”  To the woman who gave her heart every day but was not one to give compliments easily, this was Pat’s way of closing a circle in the life of one of her players.  She wasn’t just there for us during our basketball careers, she was in it with us for life.


When it comes to honoring someone whom you loved, while bringing forth their infectious spirit so that people can see them through you, this is why I am riding…

To raise awareness for Alzheimer’s…yes.

To face a physical challenge greater than any in my life… yes.

To have the courage to fight through pain to get to victory…yes.

To inspire so many people who can’t physically ride…yes.

I am riding for you.

I am riding for Pat.

I am riding for Alzheimer’s.

Together, we will win.  ALL IN.

Due to an amazing and generous amount of support, I am increasing my initial goal of raising a minimum of $25,000 to raising $75,000 to support our ride with 100% the net proceeds benefitting the Pat Summitt Foundation which designates all of its grant funding to The Pat Summitt Clinic at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, a clinic supporting Alzheimer’s patient care, caregiver support and clinical research.

To all my friends and family, I can’t thank you enough for sponsoring me in my ride on the Pedal for Pat campaign.  If you have any questions, please reach out to me directly at [email redacted].

*Stay tuned in for a special announcement regarding the WNBA's participation in Pedal for Pat*