Georgetown WCBB HC Tasha Butts Dies at Age 41 from Breast Cancer
Oct 23, 2023
CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 9: Tasha Butts #1 of the Charlotte Sting moves the ball against the San Antonio Silver Stars on May 9, 2006 at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
Georgetown women's basketball head coach Tasha Butts died Monday at the age of 41 after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
"I am heartbroken for Tasha's family, friends, players, teammates and colleagues," athletic director Lee Reed said in the school's announcement. "When I met Tasha, I knew she was a winner on the court, and an incredible person whose drive, passion and determination was second to none. She exhibited these qualities both as a leader and in her fight against breast cancer. This is a difficult time for the entire Georgetown community, and we will come together to honor her memory."
Butts was the associate head coach at Georgia Tech when the Hoyas hired her in April. Before entering the coaching ranks, she played collegiately at Tennessee and suited up for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA.
The Volunteers and Yellow Jackets along with LSU, where Butts had been an assistant coach, mourned her death.
The Lady Vol Basketball family is devastated by the passing of #LVFL Tasha Butts.
We'll carry her toughness and fight throughout this season and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/jlKFBg56e3
"The news of Tasha's passing is incredibly sad," Georgia Tech head coach Nell Fortner said. "Tasha was so instrumental to the success of this program. What she did as a member of this coaching staff cannot be overvalued. She was tough – tough on her kids, tough in her expectations, but yet she was soft underneath when players needed her to be there for them, and she was always there for them. We are incredibly sad this day has come. She battled from the day of her diagnosis. We are proud of her fight to the end. We will forever love Tasha. She will forever be missed."
While on the Yellow Jackets' staff, Butts announced she had been diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer in November 2021. The phrase "Tasha Tough" became a rallying cry around women's basketball.
Georgetown announced in September that Butts was taking an indefinite leave of absence for health reasons. Associate head coach Darnell Haney, who was the head coach at Jacksonville for five years before joining the Hoyas in May, assumed the role of acting head coach, and the school confirmed Monday he will remain there for the upcoming season.
Georgetown is looking to improve on its 14-17 record from 2022-23. It tips off its campaign Nov. 6 against Maryland Eastern Shore.
