In an inspiring turn of events, Georgetown's women's basketball team has dedicated their season and first-ever Big East title game appearance to their late coach, Tasha Butts, who passed away from breast cancer in October at the age of 41. Under the leadership of interim head coach Darnell Haney, who took over in May following Butts' passing, the Hoyas have achieved their winningest season since 2012 and surpassed expectations by reaching the Big East semifinal as a 6-seed, despite being predicted to finish 10th in the conference. The team's journey this season has been marked by a collective effort to honor Butts, with players and fans showing their support through pops of pink at games. Following their historic performance and defeat to UConn in the championship game, discussions are underway to appoint Haney as the permanent head coach, a move announced by player Graceann Bennett.
What a moment for Georgetown’s Graceann Bennett as she got to announce the plans of interim coach Darnell Haney becoming the permanent head coach #SomeThings @MarkTitusShow https://t.co/9885WGbNoM
Chills: Before Georgetown’s press conference tonight following the defeat to UConn in the Big East Championship Game, the Hoyas’ Graceann Bennett announced that Georgetown and interim Darnell Haney are in discussions to make him permanent head coach. https://t.co/Z3vTj2N7Cm
Final score at Mohegan Sun. Proud of our Hoyas for making history tonight and playing #TashaTough! #HoyaSaxa #EarnedNeverGiven #TashaTough #ActWithENGIE https://t.co/TTaeYRajrO
Pops of pink all over the Georgetown side of the floor ahead of today’s Big East championship game as the Hoyas honor late head coach Tasha Butts 💗 https://t.co/WYzBWkWAHW
Georgetown powerfully dedicated its first Big East title game appearance to late coach Tasha Butts https://t.co/itkdjajmWb https://t.co/uDV8W4jlaC
Georgetown lost its head coach, Tasha Butts, to breast cancer in October. The Hoyas were picked to finish 10th in the Big East, and have rallied all season in her memory. Now, they've just clinched a spot in the Big East Championship for the first time in program history. https://t.co/xx4TcLWFZf
Georgetown women’s basketball lost its head coach, Tasha Butts, to cancer at the age of 41 in October. This team has played for her all year. They were picked 10th in the Big East. The Hoyas are going to the conference title game for the first time ever. https://t.co/1mK5j5YAtT
"We did it for her this year." @k_ransom34 The first time @GeorgetownWBB is headed to the @BigEastWBB Championship is bitter sweet, but they are doing it for their late coach Tasha Butts ❤️ https://t.co/TrGbhGTdDO
Just remarkable what Georgetown has done this season in the face of tragedy. Darnell Haney was hired in May & took over the day the Hoyas lost first-year HC Tasha Butts to breast cancer. He’s now led them to the winningest season since 2012 & the Big East semifinal as a 6-seed. https://t.co/fG1u0qmYcO