There are very few things that I would classify as a touching moment. Maybe it is just a guy thing, but it is difficult to get into that category in my book.

But Sunday afternoon there was a very moving display at Thompson-Boling Arena that has jumped its way into that exclusive emotional class.You may or may not have known that last week the SEC participated in “We Back Pat Week” to honor Lady Vols head coach emeritus Pat Summitt and raise awareness for her foundation and research aimed at finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

All of the SEC women’s basketball programs wore “We Back Pat” shirts during warm-ups and coaches wore them on the benches.Sunday afternoon was the culmination of the week and, of course, it was capped off here at Tennessee.

Throughout the game, video tributes to Summitt, messages from coaches across the league and a check presentation all took place as part of the rounding out of awareness week. But the moving scene came before any basketball was ever played.

Minutes before tipoff, Summitt was recognized, and like every time her name is uttered during a Lady Vols game, a thunderous round of applause rose from the crowd.

But more than just a standing ovation for the eight-time National Champion from the Lady Vol faithful, the Tennessee coaching staff sought out Summitt.

During a time that is usually reserved for making last-second preparations, the staff crossed the court and went into the crowd to show their appreciation, dedication and support for the legend.

That wasn’t all, though. When the coaching staff had their time with Summitt, the team lined up to do the same.In a single file line all 11 players waited their turn to embrace their former head coach. All the while the crowd never ceased to cheer.

Honestly, I don’t think I have ever seen anything like it.It was a five to seven minute stretch of applause from the largest crowd to gather in TBA for a Lady Vols game so far this season. Looking around the arena I failed to see a single person not out of their seat.

Pat Summitt is revered in the city of Knoxville. But seeing that display from coaches, players and fans was visual confirmation of how much she means to everyone associated with the women’s basketball program. Even if you just own a season ticket.

Postgame, it was easy to sense how much it all meant to Holly Warlick and her players.

“It was nice getting to go speak to her before the game,” Warlick said. “We tried to honor her in the way she would like, b playing solid defense and rebounding.”

Senior Taber Spani reflected on how much Summitt means to her.

“Pat Summitt for myself, and I can speak for everyone here, is always going be our head coach,” Spani said. “When I come back in 10-15 years I am still going to think of her as my coach.”

As the coaches, players and fans all showed their admiration for Summitt, she did exactly what one would think she would do. She coached.

“It was a really emotional time … but, she just told every single one of us ‘let’s go, let’s get ready,'” junior Meighan Simmons said. “So, I went out and played really hard for her.”

­— Austin Bornheim is a senior in journalism and electronic media. He can be reached at [email protected].