It’s a sad day for Vols Nation and all of the women’s basketball world as the University of Tennessee says goodbye to former guard Tasha Butts.
On Monday, Butts succumbed to her two-year breast cancer battle at the age of 41 after stepping away from her coaching duties at Georgetown last month.
In a heartbroken statement, Tennessee shared some words on her unfortunate passing: “The Lady Vol Basketball family is devastated by the passing of #LVFL Tasha Butts,” the school said. “We’ll carry her toughness and fight throughout this season and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones.”
The Lady Vol Basketball family is devastated by the passing of #LVFL Tasha Butts.
We’ll carry her toughness and fight throughout this season and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/jlKFBg56e3
— Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) October 23, 2023
Butts played three years at UT before being selected 20th overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2004 WNBA Draft. After which she had a long coaching career as an assistant with Duquesne, UCLA and LSU before becoming a head coach at Georgia Tech and eventually joining the Hoyas.
Georgetown athletic director Lee Reed also offered his condolences. Saying, “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.”