Earlier this week, the Tennessee Theatre played host to a powerful moment in women’s basketball history - a live reunion special honoring the legendary Pat Summitt. Organized by Omaha Productions, the event brought together some of the most iconic names to ever wear the Lady Vols jersey: Candace Parker, Nikki Fargas, and Andraya Carter. They were joined on stage by ESPN’s Holly Rowe and South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, creating a rare and emotional night of storytelling, reflection, and celebration.
In the audience sat the current Tennessee Lady Vols - players and coaches alike - soaking in the legacy that built their program. And just days later, that same team took the floor and delivered a performance that felt like a tribute in motion, dismantling Winthrop by 72 points. The game itself was a statement, but the real story unfolded afterward, when head coach Kim Caldwell and several players met with the media to reflect on what the reunion meant to them - and how it’s shaping their mindset moving forward.
Kim Caldwell: “It’s bigger than us.”
For Caldwell, who’s still carving out her own place in the program’s storied lineage, the reunion was a reminder - not just of Pat Summitt’s greatness, but of the responsibility that comes with coaching at Tennessee.
“You walk down the hallways here and the history is in your face every single day,” Caldwell said. “But sometimes you get so caught up in fixing the little things - foul shots, offensive sets - that you forget what all of this really means.”
That’s where the reunion came in. It wasn’t just a night out for the team - it was a lesson. A living, breathing history class taught by the women who helped build the Lady Vols dynasty.
“I think it was really important for them to see what we represent,” Caldwell said. “Everything we have came from players and coaches who were here before us.”
And the players didn’t just sit through it - they embraced it. Caldwell smiled as she recalled how animated they were the next day in practice, referencing lines from the show and joking about only being allowed to “save two points and rebound.” But beneath the laughter was something deeper: a growing understanding of the standard they’re expected to uphold.
“For them to hear about Pat from her players, from people who lived it - that’s a valuable lesson,” Caldwell said. “And honestly, it’s a reminder for me, too.
Sometimes I forget what they don’t know. We need those reminders more often.”
Alyssa Latham: “You play for that.”
Sophomore forward Alyssa Latham echoed that sentiment, describing the reunion as a moment of clarity - a chance to connect with the roots of the program and recognize the ripple effect of Summitt’s legacy.
“It’s just great to know the history we have here,” Latham said. “What Pat Summitt did for our program, but also for women’s basketball as a whole - it’s great to be a part of that.
You go out there and you play for that, and that’s what we try to do every day. It’s just beautiful to see.”
It’s one thing to wear the jersey. It’s another to understand what it stands for. Latham’s takeaway wasn’t just about pride - it was about purpose.
Mia Pauldo: “Play like you’ve got a chip on your shoulder.”
Freshman guard Mia Pauldo, one of the newer faces in the program, called the experience “inspiring” - and it clearly resonated.
“Like Lyss said, it’s a reminder that you’re not only playing for yourself,” Pauldo said. “You’re playing for the fanbase.
You’re playing for the history of the school. Every time we step on the court, we’ve got to play like we’ve got a chip on our shoulder.”
That’s the Summitt standard in a nutshell - relentless effort, unwavering pride, and a deep respect for the past. And for a young team still finding its identity, the reunion wasn’t just a look back. It was a challenge to rise to the level of those who came before them.
A Legacy That Still Teaches
Pat Summitt’s legacy isn’t confined to banners or highlight reels. It’s alive in the way this current group of Lady Vols approaches the game - with grit, gratitude, and a growing sense of responsibility.
The reunion reminded them that they’re not just playing for wins. They’re playing for something far greater.
And if their post-reunion performance is any indication, they’re starting to understand exactly what that means.