The career coach and former WNBA player’s death was confirmed by Georgetown’s athletic director and the school’s president.
Tasha Butts, who was the leader of Georgetown’s women’s basketball team, has sadly passed away at the age of 41. The head of the school’s sports department confirmed this sad news. Tasha fought bravely against breast cancer for almost two years.
Georgetown’s sports director, Lee Reed, expressed his deep sadness for Tasha’s family, friends, players, and everyone who knew her. He admired Tasha for her strong determination and spirit, both on the basketball court and in her battle against cancer. This is a very tough time for everyone at Georgetown, and we will come together to remember and honor her.
Georgetown president John J. DeGioia also called her death “a devastating loss.”
“She was extraordinary,” DeGioia said in a statement. “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.”
Just a month ago, Tasha Butts decided to take a break from her job at Georgetown to concentrate on her health. This was only five months after she started working with the team. Before this, she had been a coach at Georgia Tech and had also played professional basketball in the WNBA for teams like Minnesota, Charlotte, and Houston. Earlier in her life, she was a very successful college basketball player at Tennessee from 2000 to 2004.
Tasha Butts started working at Georgia Tech in 2019 as an assistant coach after coaching at LSU for eight years. In 2021, she got a promotion at Georgia Tech, but sadly, in the same year, she shared the tough news that she had an advanced form of breast cancer.
Georgia Tech coach Nell Fortner expressed deep sadness at Tasha’s passing. She emphasized how vital Tasha was to the team’s success. Tasha was known for being strict yet caring for her players, offering support when they needed it most. She was always there for them.
The LSU women’s basketball team paid tribute to the former assistant coach, whose tenure extended from 2011 until 2019. “Tasha was a great player and went on to have a successful career as a coach too,” LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said in a statement. “More importantly, she had an impact on so many lives throughout her lifetime. We are sad to lose her at such a young age.”
Kellie Harper, who coaches at the college where Tasha used to play, also shared her thoughts. She said, “We are deeply saddened to lose a cherished member of our Lady Vol family. Tasha had a special way of connecting with people wherever she went. She made a positive difference not just for our Tennessee family, but for women’s basketball in general.”
Tasha is survived by her parents, Spencer Sr. and Evelyn, her brother Spencer Jr., and her nephew Marquis.
SOURCE:PARADE