Pat Summitt…the end of an ERA.

Ok I will admit, I didn’t read the whole column about Pat Summitt written by Dave Zirin. Do I need to? I think the just of it is in the first couple of graphs. The length of this might be more than I bargained for. I also noticed there are no comments as of the time of writing this.  If new ones are posted, I haven’t seen them. After reading this column, I did look for a few other things that are online about Summitt just to see the different angles. I didn’t really find too much that was different. What I mostly saw was a brief summary of her announcement and then highlights of her career.

Pat Summitt has coached the Tennessee Lady Vols since 1974 and has recently announced her retirement.

Ok, retiring before you’re 65 is not typical however Summitt retires for health reasons. Summitt was a trooper this past season, taking the Lady Vols to the Elite Eight despite her situation. I think it’s because she was just not ready to retire. Just to catch you up, Summitt was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.

Can we give this woman her HALL OF FAME jacket! This woman did the damn thang!! Okay…back to being serious.

Summitt announced her diagnosis late last year. Doctors suggested Summit retire then and she was NOT having it. She talks about it a little. (the second hyperlink takes you to the story)

Zirin said Summitt is an icon and I will agree with that.

I think being concerned with her health is important. Although Summitt’s shoes will be HARD to fill, she is making the right choice…right now.

Now let’s all CONGRATULATE Coach Summitt on a Phenomenal career!!!

A quick look back and then move around.

I’ll be honest, taking Social Media was a requirement and this is what I went into this class thinking: My only thoughts of it really were to learn how to effectively network myself. What I was NOT prepared for was the overwhelming amount of social networking I was about to embark on. I’m on everything. I am CONNECTED! (sarcasm) I Tweet more and I Facebook less…does that surprise you? Well, I’m not surprised. Maybe there is a little bit of engagement thrown in the mix…actually a LOT.

“Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.” -James Thurber

How to effectively brand yourself, connect, and be connected to your audience via social networking sites. That is what I actually learned.

I’m branding myself, and not like they do cows. I just changed a few things around. I renamed my Twitter and Instagram to @ThePhotoTeek. {I’m sorry I can’t link you to Instagram, I wanted to, but you can search for me!!} Branding is smart work, not hard work. Should I do a Zuckerberg and drop the THE? (Or was that a Sean Parker? He did make the suggestion in the movie…HAHA)

I do plan to eighty-six Google+, sorry Carol, I am not a fan. However, I will stay on LinkedIn for professional reasons. =] Some things are just not for everyone, but there is only one way to find out. You MUST try it and see. What’s funny is, I’m usually the one telling people this, then my professor comes along and makes me take my own medicine. Thanks. I don’t think it was hard to swallow, I usually like to try things once. USUALLY…I put heavy emphasis on that word.

This class has given me a few things to work on this summer.

1. My sentence. Is it time to rephrase it a little?

2. My brand. Continue to tweak it.

3. EOC Social Media. They are really excited to implement this plan, so I’m going to finish what I started.

4. Write my own social media policy. Yes, even though it’s just me. (it should be pretty short)

5. Blogging. Pick a day and stay consistent.

Overall, I’m glad I took this class when I did. OK, Carol…it’s on to editing!! See you next semester!!

Congratulations to all the GRADUATING SENIORS!!