(Jan. 31, 2001) -- Lady Vol basketball head coach Pat Summitt announced that the number 23 jersey worn by all-time great Chamique Holdsclaw will be retired on Thursday night, February 1, when Tennessee hosts defending national champion Connecticut. The ceremony at Thompson-Boling Arena will take place at halftime of the nationally-televised battle on ESPN between the Lady Vols and Huskies.
"No single Lady Vol, in the rich history of our program, has made a greater impact of leading the Tennessee Lady Vols to national championships or recorded statistically at the level of Chamique Holdsclaw," said Summitt. "She truly helped make history for our program with her individual talents and intense commitment to the success of our team. Retiring #23 is a well-deserved honor for Chamique."
Tennessee has retired three other uniform numbers in its history - the number 22 worn by current UT assistant coach Holly Warlick (1976-1980), the number 30 worn by Bridgette Gordon (1985-89) and the number 32 worn by Daedra Charles (1988-91). The last time Tennessee celebrated a retirement ceremony was on Dec. 28, 1991, when Charles came to Knoxville to surprise Summitt by announcing the endowment of the Pat Head Summitt Scholarship, presented by Charles, Gordon and another former Lady Vol, Lisa McGill Reagan. Summitt, who was unaware of the endowment, had planned the retirement ceremony as a surprise for Charles.