Current:Home > ScamsGeorgetown women's basketball coach Tasha Butts dies after battle with breast cancer-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Georgetown women's basketball coach Tasha Butts dies after battle with breast cancer
View Date:2024-12-23 19:12:58
Georgetown University announced that women's basketball head coach Tasha Butts died Monday morning, following a two-year battle with breast cancer. Butts was 41.
"I am heartbroken for Tasha's family, friends, players, teammates and colleagues," Georgetown athletics director Lee Reed said Monday in a statement. "When I met Tasha, I knew she was a winner on the court, and an incredible person whose drive, passion and determination was second to none. She exhibited these qualities both as a leader and in her fight against breast cancer. This is a difficult time for the entire Georgetown community, and we will come together to honor her memory."
The Hoyas hired Butts in April to lead the program after she spent four seasons as an assistant at Georgia Tech. In September, however, the university announced that Butts would be taking a leave to focus on her health; she had been diagnosed with advanced stage metastatic breast cancer in November 2021, while she was coaching with the Yellow Jackets.
While undergoing treatment during the 2021-22 season, Butts stayed active in her role at Georgia Tech. Following her diagnosis, the Tasha Tough initiative was started, supporting cancer research and outreach to patients through the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, which is a non-profit in honor of Hall of Fame coach Kay Yow.
Georgetown, Georgia Tech and the Big East Conference have all pledged to continue their support for the Tasha Tough initiative.
Butts had also spent eight seasons as an assistant coach with LSU and three with UCLA. Prior to her coaching career, Butts was a four-year letterwinner at Tennessee (2000-04), where she played for iconic Hall of Fame coach Pat Summit. Butts helped lead the program to consecutive National Championship games in her junior and senior seasons and was an All-SEC Second Team selection as a senior.
The WNBA's Minnesota Lynx selected Butts with the 20th overall pick in the 2004 WNBA draft. She spent one season in the WNBA before serving as a graduate assistant in 2005 for Tennessee and Summit. Butts also played professionally in Portugal and Israel and also returned to the WNBA for brief stints with the Charlotte Sting and Houston Comets.
"Tasha's passing is a devastating loss," Georgetown president John J. DeGioia said Monday in a statement. "She was extraordinary − Tasha was a person of character, determination, vision, and kindness. She will be deeply missed by our community and by so many people around the country who have been inspired by her life. We offer her family our most sincere condolences."
Darnell Haney, who has filled in as Georgetown's interim coach since September, will remain in that role for the 2023-24 season.
veryGood! (64)
Related
- How Saturday Night Live Reacted to Donald Trump’s Win Over Kamala Harris
- Video shows Starlink satellite that resembled fireball breaking up over the Southwest: Watch
- Lions QB Jared Goff, despite 5 interceptions, dared to become cold-blooded
- Nicole Scherzinger receives support from 'The View' hosts after election post controversy
- Certifying this year’s presidential results begins quietly, in contrast to the 2020 election
- Police cruiser strikes and kills a bicyclist pulling a trailer in Vermont
- Richard Allen found guilty in the murders of two teens in Delphi, Indiana. What now?
- NATO’s Rutte calls for more Western support for Ukraine, warns of Russian alliances
- Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani wins reelection to Arizona US House seat
- Democrat Ruben Gallego wins Arizona US Senate race against Republican Kari Lake
Ranking
- In bizarro world, Tennessee plays better defense, and Georgia's Kirby Smart comes unglued
- Love Is Blind’s Chelsea Blackwell Reacts to Megan Fox’s Baby News
- Sam LaPorta injury update: Lions TE injures shoulder, 'might miss' Week 11
- Brian Austin Green Shares Message to Sharna Burgess Amid Ex Megan Fox's Baby News
- A growing and aging population is forcing Texas counties to seek state EMS funding
- Rōki Sasaki is coming to MLB: Dodgers the favorite to sign Japanese ace for cheap?
- Here's what 3 toys were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year
- 'Gladiator 2' review: Yes, we are entertained again by outrageous sequel
Recommendation
-
Two 'incredibly rare' sea serpents seen in Southern California waters months apart
-
Advocates Expect Maryland to Drive Climate Action When Trump Returns to Washington
-
Jessica Simpson’s Sister Ashlee Simpson Addresses Eric Johnson Breakup Speculation
-
Jason Kelce collaborates with Stevie Nicks for Christmas duet: Hear the song
-
Advocates Expect Maryland to Drive Climate Action When Trump Returns to Washington
-
Tennis Channel suspends reporter after comments on Barbora Krejcikova's appearance
-
Chris Wallace will leave CNN 3 years after defecting from 'Fox News Sunday'
-
Olivia Munn Says She “Barely Knew” John Mulaney When She Got Pregnant With Their Son