WATCH: Full Replay of Lute Olson Tribute Now Available
TUCSON, Ariz. - On Sunday, Sept. 12, over 100 of the late Lute Olson's former Arizona players gathered in the McKale Center to celebrate the life that meant so much to them. With the Voice of the Wildcats, Brian Jeffries, serving as MC of the event, the speakers included:
- Dave Heeke, Vice President and Director, Athletics at the University of Arizona
- Kelly Olson, Lute Olson's widow
- Ced Dempsey, Arizona Athletics Director (1983-1993); NCAA Executive Director (1993-2002)
- Steve Kerr, Arizona Basketball (1983-88) and current head coach of the Golden State Warriors
- Jason Terry, Arizona Basketball (1994-99) and current head coach of the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G-League
- Andre Iguodala, Arizona Basketball (2002-04) and current member of the Golden State Warriors
- Paul Weitman, Community Member and close friend of Lute Olson
- Matt Brase, Lute Olson's grandson; University of Arizona Basketball (2003-05)
- Jim Rosborough, Lute Olson's assistant coach at Iowa (1974-83) and Arizona (1989-2007)
Here are a few highlights from the speakers listed above:
"The question I got most often was always, 'is Lute as nice as he seems?'
My reply was always, 'no, he's much nicer'" - Kelly Olson pic.twitter.com/jHpD3dkeZj
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) September 12, 2021
"The question I got most often was always, 'is Lute as nice as he seems?'
My reply was always, 'no, he's much nicer'" - Kelly Olson pic.twitter.com/jHpD3dkeZj
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) September 12, 2021
"I don't think there was anyone more recognizable in this state than Lute. His legacy of wins and losses is well known. But to me, his biggest legacy he left was his players and what they accomplished, and the standards they held." - @ceddempsey pic.twitter.com/JOxBWL8d7z
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) September 12, 2021
From Los Angeles to Tucson, all thanks to Coach O#LuteOlsonTribute | @SteveKerr pic.twitter.com/Oe57tDpd1K
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) September 12, 2021
Family. pic.twitter.com/ugzTOiypzv
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) September 12, 2021
"I'm a better father, a better husband and a better man because of him. I'm thankful and blessed to be a Wildcat." - @jasonterry31 pic.twitter.com/OqUUFa5iku
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) September 12, 2021
"It's up to us to continue Coach Olson's legacy. It's up to us to continue to build, help the next stable, the next coaching staff. We will make sure Coach Olson lives on forever." - @andre pic.twitter.com/Ug4He4tpq0
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) September 12, 2021
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- Matt Brase pic.twitter.com/OoctoI9tT6
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) September 12, 2021
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- Matt Brase pic.twitter.com/OoctoI9tT6
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) September 12, 2021
"You will be missed but not forgotten." - Paul Weitman pic.twitter.com/sC5rrGEqtr
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) September 12, 2021
A beautiful tribute from Jim Rosborough ends with one final Coach Olson defensive drill ??#LuteOlsonTribute pic.twitter.com/6Ht8HZ32jk
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) September 12, 2021