Summitt Rocky Topped Giles

Posted Jun 13, 2008 by Katherine Smith

Updated Jun 13, 2008 at 02:40 PM

This is how badly Tennessee wanted Jarvis Giles - they rolled out the orange carpet complete with the school’s biggest star.

During his unofficial visit this past week, Giles met a lot of the coaches, including men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl, but one coach in particular had the biggest impact. Giles got to meet women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt. Tennessee football coach Phil Fulmer has said Summitt helps him during the recruiting process by making herself available. As the Tampa Tribune first reported, Giles verbally committed on Friday, but not until he made an impression on Summitt.

Gaither coach Mark Kantor said at one point during the meet and greet he looked over and Giles had Summitt in a bear hug.

“I’ve seen her on TV all the time,” Giles said. “I got light headed when she walked out. I almost fainted and she asked me if I was going to be OK. Then she showed me all the national championship trophies.”

The Lady Vols won their eighth national championship in April in Tampa at the St. Pete Times Forum.