Arizona Daily Star
Nearly 13 months following Lute Olson’s death, Arizona Wildcats fans will say one final goodbye.
The UA will hold a memorial for the legendary coach at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in McKale Center, the building that he made famous.
Olson died Aug. 27, 2020 at age 85, but a public tribute was put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. The timing of Sunday’s event will allow Olson’s former players who are currently playing and coaching in the NBA and coaching in college to attend before the start of their seasons.
Lute Olson was head basketball coach at the University of Arizona from 1983-2008. He was a seven-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year, made five Final Four appearances, won the 1997 NCAA Championship and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. He died Aug. 27, 2020.
The top sports figure in Tucson history, Olson led the Wildcats to four Final Fours (1998, 1994, 1997 and 2001) and the 1997 NCAA Championship in 24 seasons as the UA’s head coach. He went 589-187 at Arizona and 781-279 in his career, which also included head coaching stops at Long Beach State and Iowa.
Tim Steller's column: Tucson's biggest homeless camp faces upcoming clear-out
New retail development coming to Marana
Hobbs vetoes bills on school showers, residency for voting, squatters, more
More Arizona stores to be sold in latest Kroger, Albertsons merger plan
New policy could eliminate hundreds of Pima County government jobs
Group launches campaign to oust 2 Arizona justices over abortion ruling
Former U of A President John Schaefer questions UAGC acquisition, provost search
95-year-old Tucson high-rise building to be sold at auction
Man with knife fighting 'hostage' in Catalina shot, killed by deputy
Hansen's Notebook: $14.8M, donor-driven U of A golf center puts Wildcats on par with best in college game
Where Tucson legend Sam Fox’s passion blossomed: Hungry Fox Restaurant turns 60
This local food truck is bringing a taste of Oaxaca to Tucson
Here's why Tucson's libraries aren't quiet places anymore
Arizona spring football notes, practice 11: Ex-Oregon State RB Damien Martinez visits; Jacob Manu, Tacario Davis return
Arizona spring football notes, practice 12: Blitzing Justin Flowe shines at LB; Tetairoa McMillan leaves with leg injury
Olson retired from the UA in 2008, but was never far from the program. He was a fixture at McKale Center alongside his wife, Kelly; fans greeted the coach with a familiar “Luuuuuuute” chant every time he was shown on the video board. In April 2018, the athletic department unveiled a statue to the former coach on the north side of the arena. The Wildcats’ court was named after Olson and his first wife, Bobbi, in 2001.
Lute Olson, hugging former assistant coach Jay John in 2009, led the Wildcats to four Final Fours and a 1997 National Championship.
James S. Wood, Arizona Daily Star 2009
Here’s what you need to know about Sunday’s tribute:
The basics. Sunday’s event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 10 a.m. for the 11:30 a.m. ceremony. Fans must enter through Gate B. Parking will be free in all lots surrounding McKale Center.
Fans unable to attend can watch a livestream on ArizonaWildcats.com and the new Pac-12 Insider platform. Pac-12 Arizona will air the ceremony on tape delay starting at 6 p.m.
What to expect. Olson’s former players, staffers and colleagues are expected to be in attendance, with some of them expected to speak. UA athletic director Dave Heeke said last month that the event will be “centered around” the players and coaches that Olson touched. The family was “heavily involved” in the planning of the event, he said.
Former UA standouts Richard Jefferson, Andrew Iguodala and Luke Walton, among others, are in town for the event. Steve Kerr is, too; Saturday night, he served as honorary captain for the Wildcats’ football game against San Diego State.
Said Heeke: “I think we all want to come together and celebrate that incredible legacy that continues today.”
Arizona coach Lute Olson directs his team from the sidelines during the first half of the NCAA Midwest Regional championship game in 2001. With Jason Gardner, Luke Walton, Richard Jefferson and more leading the way, the Wildcats made the 2001 Final Four.
Donna McWilliam, Associated Press 2001
COVID-19 protocols. Everyone in attendance must show that they have masks in order to enter McKale Center. Those who are unable to a mask will not be allowed in. Masks must be worn indoors and in all restrooms, elevators and common areas. Those who refuse to follow the guidelines will be asked to leave.
Additionally, the UA athletic department expects all who attend to either be vaccinated or to have tested negative for COVID-19 within the previous 72 hours. Those who have not been vaccinated or recently tested are encouraged not to attend, as are those who are currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or “are in any way concerned” about their personal health, according to the UA.
Photos: Arizona Wildcats basketball coach Lute Olson
Lute Olson
UA basketball head coach Lute Olson and player Sean Elliott during their game against USC in 1989.
Bruce McClelland / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Lute Olson playing guard in football in 1955.
Handout photo
Lute Olson
Lute Olson as a junior in high school in 1951.
Handout photo
Lute Olson
Lute Olson (right) with friend Wes Bodin as they appeared in the Augsburg College school paper on Friday, November 21, 1952, Lute's freshman year at the Minneapolis school where he majored in History.
Handout
Lute Olson
Rookie coach: Lute Olson knew his X's and O's in his first job at Mahnomen High in 1956-57, and, as a yearbook photo suggests, won over players and bosses with his personality.
Photo Courtesy of Al Santwire
Lute Olson
Lute Olson, head coach Marina HS, Huntington Beach, Calif. 1967-68.
Handout photo
Lute Olson
Lute Olson as head coach of his 1970-71 Long Beach Community College basketball team.
Courtesy Gary Anderson
Lute Olson
Iowa head coach Lute Olson, center, and his assistant coaches leap off the bench in disbelief after the referees failed to call traveling against Villanova during Friday night's NCAA Midwest Regional semifinal game in Kansas City, Mo., on March 25, 1983.
Associated Press
Lute Olson
Lute Olson talks with wife Bobbi before a press conference in which he will formally become the new head coach of men's basketball at the U of A in 1983.
Joe Patronite / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
When Olson joined the UA in 1983, he brought with him a commanding presence. "When he walks over to his office with you," one player said, "you feel like you're with the president."
Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Lute Olson talks to his players during practice at McKale Center in 1983.
Emmett Jordan / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Fans of coach Lute Olson in McKale Center in 1984.
Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
Lute Olson (center) coaching his 1984 squad.
Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson during a press conference in 1985.
Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
At the opening gala for Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, on April 27, 1985, Mrs. Bobbi Olson talks with Willard Scott as her husband and University of Arizona basketball coach, Lute Olson, looks on.
Courtesy Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
Lute Olson
University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson gathers his players together during a time out against Alabama on March 15, 1985.
Tom Willett / Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
Arizona coach Lute Olson coaching at his youth basketball camp in 1985.
Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
Arizona coach Lute Olson at a charity bike event in 1987 with assistant Kevin O'Neill, far left, and player Harvey Mason, far right.
Clarence Tabb / Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
Arizona State head coach Bill Frieder, left, and University of Arizona head coach Lute Olson appeared in several funny commercials for Valley National Bank in the mid-1980s.
Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
Recovering from knee surgery, Steve Kerr gets a visit from University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson and teammate Sean Elliott at the St. Mary's pediatric ward on July 22, 1986 in Tucson. Margo Brennan, who would become his future wife, sits by Kerr's side. Olson awarded Kerr, who was on the USA Basketball team, with the Gold medal from the FIBA World Championship game in Spain where he was injured. Because of the injury Kerr missed the entire 1986-87 season. Photo by Charlie Leight / Arizona Daily Star
Charlie Leight / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Arizona head coach Lute Olson donned a cowboy hat for the Tucson Rodeo in 1988.
Tucson Citizen
Arizona vs. Oklahoma / 1988 NCAA Final Four
Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson during open practice prior to the NCAA Final Four semi-final against Oklahoma on April 2, 1988, in Kansas City, Mo.
Elizabeth Mangelsdorf / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona vs. Oklahoma / 1988 NCAA Final Four
Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson eschews autograph seekers prior to the NCAA Final Four semi-final against Oklahoma on April 2, 1988, in Kansas City, Mo. Olson was 0-3 in the NCAA Tournament in his first four seasons with the Wildcats before the magical 1987-88 run, when UA advanced to its first Final Four.
Elizabeth Mangelsdorf / Arizona Daily Star 1988
032522-tuc-spt-elliott-p3
Coach Lute Olson is beaming while listening to star player Sean Elliott at a rally and parade for the 1988 UA men's basketball team, which made the Final Four.
Jackie Bell, Arizona Daily Star1988
Lute Olson
Coach Lute Olson with player Steve Kerr, now the coach of the Golden State Warriors, at a rally and parade for the men's basketball team at University of Arizona stadium in Tucson after the 1988 NCAA Final Four.
Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
Arizona Coach Lute Olson in his office in Sept. 1988, with the Pac-10 Trophy (foreground). The team made it into the 1988 NCAA Final Four earlier in the year.
Rick Wiley / Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
A tense Lute Olson watches from the bench during a game in 1989.
Rick Wiley / Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
Arizona head coach Lute Olson reacts to an official's call at McKale in January, 1989.
Rick Wiley / Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
Arizona coach Lute Olson, left, during a tense moment versus Washington State during the Pac-10 Tournament at the Forum in Los Angeles in 1989.
Rick Wiley / Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
Coach Dale Brown of Louisiana State University, chatting with University of Arizona head coach Lute Olson during a basketball game at McKale Center, Tucson, on Dec. 7, 1991.
Rick Wiley / Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
Arizona State coach Bill Frieder chats with friend Lute Olson, head coach of the University of Arizona, in 1991.
Rick Wiley / Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson, Kenny Lofton
Former University of Arizona basketball player Kenny Lofton, left, greets coach Lute Olson at a Cleveland Indians baseball spring training game at Hi Corbett Field on March 31, 1992.
Jim Davis / Arizona Daily Star
1994 Arizona Wildcats Final Four basketball team
Arizona coach Lute Olson and star point guard Damon Stoudamire embrace during the 1994 NCAA Final Four in Charlotte, N.C.
Rick Wiley / Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
Arizona head coach Lute Olson smiles in front of cheering fans at Arizona Stadium on April 5, 1994, after returning from the Final Four in Charlotte, NC.
Rick Wiley / Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
Matt Brase, then in the seventh grade, celebrates Christmas 1994 with Lute Olson, his grandfather.
Courtesy Jody Brase
Lute Olson
Michael Dickerson and Lute share a moment near the end of the game against North Carolina in the Final Four in 1997.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily St
Lute Olson
Lute Olson and the Wildcats celebrate during the end of the second half of their NCAA Final Four Championship game against Kentucky in Indianapolis in 1997.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Arizona coach Lute Olson holds up the net for the fans after Arizona beat Kentucky 84-79 in overtime to win the national championship Monday, March 31, 1997, at the NCAA Final Four tournament in Indianapolis.
Ed Reinke / Associated Press
Lute Olson
UA head coach Lute Olson hold the Divsion I NCAA Championship trophy with his team from left; Jason Lee, Miles Simon, Jason Terry, Lute, Justin Wessel, and Bennett Davison after they defeated Kentucky in the 1997 Final Four in Indianapolis.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Lute Olson and wife, Bobbi Olson wave to fans after the Wildcats won the NCAA National Championship in Indianapolis in 1997.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
"You could make a fortune!" Jay Leno told Lute Olson during "The Tonight Show", handing him a can of 'Lute Spray." Just say "One spray, and you too can be a wildcat." Olson appeared on the show on April 2, 1997, after the team won the NCAA National Championship.
Rene Macura / NBC
Lute Olson
Sakura chef Steve Yim and Wildcat guard Jason Terry watch as UA coach Lute Olson adds egg to fried rice during the Lute Olson Celebrity Chefs benefit in Nov. 1997.
Mary Chind / Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
In this 1998 photo, Cheryl Bell, Steve Tobias, Patrick Coco, Tom Alexander and Brian Ralston are all sporting the new" Lute lids" a rubbery white hair piece that is suppose to make you look like Lute Olson.
Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Arizona coach Lute Olson, left, his wife Bobbi, former athletic director Cedric Dempsey, AD Jim Livengood and university president Peter Likens during a ceremony at a game at McKale Center on Feb. 26, 2000.
Ben Kirkby / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
UA's head basketball coach Lute Olson and his wife Bobbi share a moment before unveiling the new floor to McKale Center in a post game ceremony in 2000.
Ben Kirkby / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
UA basketball head coach Lute Olson (right) has five talented freshmen for the 2001 season, including Channing Frye, Isaiah Fox, Dennis Latimore, Salim Stoudamire and Will Bynum. Photo by David Sanders.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson waves to the crowd as he is introduced during the midnight madness practice game at the McKale Center on Oct. 12. 2001.
Max Becherer / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
UA head coach Lute Olson with legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden get ready to present the Wildcats with the Wooden Classic trophy after UA defeated Purdue in 2001.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Lute Olson checks on Loren Woods after Woods hurt his ankle during practice in the Alamodome in San Antonio,Texas, during the NCAA Tournament in 2001.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily St
Steve Kerr
Former University of Arizona stars Steve Kerr (left) and Sean Elliott greet UA coach Lute Olson in March, 2001.
Xavier Gallegos / Tucson Citizen
Arizona Wildcats in NCAA Tournament
Lute Olson reacts during the first half of UA vs. Duke NCAA Championship in Minneapolis, MN, April 2, 2001.
David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star
A look back at UA Commencement ceremonies
University of Arizona head basketball coach Lute Olson, who gave the commencement speech to UA's 124th graduating class May 12, 2001, laughs as he recalls how preparing for this speech was harder than preparing for Illinois, Michigan State, and Duke, all teams that UA had to play against in the this year's Final Four.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Members of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Class of 2002, pose with their Hall of Fame jerseys, from left, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, coaches Lute Olson and Kay Yow, Biserka Petrovic (the mother of the late Drazen Petrovic), coach Larry Brown and Tex Harrison (representing the Harlem Globetrotters) on Wednesday, June 5, 2002, in Los Angeles.
RIC FRANCIS / AP
Lute Olson
Friends and fans in the foreground wait for a memorial service for Lute Olson's wife, Bobbi, at McKale Center in 2001. Bobbi died after a long battle with cancer.
Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson reacts to a foul called by referee on Channing Frye during the NCAA Tournament on March 22, 2002
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson signs autographs at Myers Ganoung Elementary school on May 7, 2002.
Renee Sauer / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Lute Olson talks with Channing Frye during a game against sixth-ranked Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse in 2003.
James S. Wood / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
UA coach Lute Olson and his assistants rally the Wildcats in their game against Gonzaga during the 2003 NCAA Tournament in Salt Lake City.
Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Photo Illustration of Lute Olson and various stages in his life. Left to right: A junior in high school, playing football and basketball in college, his first coaching job, coaching at California, Iowa, and UA with Sean Elliott, winning the NCAA national title.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
An agitated Lute Olson stomps partially out onto the court during the run of play after his University of Arizona players failed to score on a possession in the second half against Mississippi State at the Arrowhead Pond in 2004.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Lute Olson answers a question during a Hollywood Squares type sketch performed by members of the 1988 basketball team during the All-Star dinner Saturday, Aug. 13 2005, at the Westin La Paloma.
Thomas Boggan / for the Daily Star
Lute Olson
UA's Lute Olson doesn't agree with a call in the first half against Memphis during the Chase Fiesta Bowl Classic at McKale on Dec. 20, 2006. UA won 79-71.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily St
Lute Olson
U of A head coach Lute Olson calls a play from the sidelines in the second half against Oregon at McKale Center in 2007.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
UA head coach Lute Olson talks with former player Jason Gardner at a party at Lutes house in 2005.
James S. Wood / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Arizona head coach Lute Olson reacts to a foul against the Wildcats during the second half at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2006.
Greg Bryan / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
UA head basketball coach Lute Olson reacts after crossing the finish line with his wife Christine Olson during the Holualoa Tucson Marathon in Dec. 2006.
James S. Wood / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Coach Lute Olson grimaces upon hearing that his University of Arizona team landed a No. 8 seed at the 2007 NCAA Tournament. He was watching the show at the Stadium Club at Arizona Stadium with his wife, Christine.
Val Cañez / Tucson Citizen
Lute Olson
In 2007, Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson took the Wildcats to their 23rd consecutive NCAA tournament, the second-longest streak ever. At Tucson International Airport, Olson headed for a chartered flight Wednesday that took the team to New Orleans for a first-round game against Purdue.
Chris Richards / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
A tired Lute Olson talks in April, 2008, about his return to coaching after a leave of absence.
Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Former Arizona men's basketball coach Lute Olson speaks to the media in 2009 during an open topic press conference after stepping down as coach.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Former UA basketball coach Lute Olson and daughters Christi Snyder, left, and Vicki Olson, right, laugh as he is honored at Lute and Bobbi Olson Court in McKale Center in 2009.
Jeffry Scott / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Former University of Arizona Head basketball coach Lute Olson stands with daughters, Vicki Olson, left, and Christi Snyder, right, while they watch a half time celebration to honor Olson at McKale Center in March, 2009.
James S. Wood / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Sean Miller greets Coach Olson in McKale center for the press conference to announce Miller as the new head coach in 2009.
Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Former head coach Lute Olson, Damon Stoudamire and Olson's wife, Kelly Olson joke around following a press conference in 2013 to announce Stoudamire's appointment as an assistant to Sean Miller.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Former Arizona head coach Lute Olson greets old friends and checks out the action during an open practice for the second round of the NCAA 2011 Division 1 Men's Basketball Championship at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., on March 16, 2011.
Greg Bryan/Arizona Daily Star 2011
Lute Olson
Lute Olson watches a University of Arizona basketball game in 2013.
Wily Low / AP
Lute Olson
Jason Terry stands with former head coach Lute Olson as his jersey number is retired during halftime at McKale Center in Tucson on Feb. 19, 2015.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Former Arizona head coach Lute Olson and his wife Kelly Pugnea are two red shirts in a sea of yellow in the second half of the Wildcats' game against Cal at Haas Pavilion, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, Berkeley, Calif.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson statue
The crowd gathers round to get photos and close look at the new statue of former University of Arizona head coach Lute Olson shortly after its unveiling at the Eddie Lynch Pavilion at McKale Center, Thursday, April 12, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson statue
Former University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson stands with his wife Kelly shortly after the unveiling of the statue of Olson at the Eddie Lynch Pavilion at McKale Center, Thursday, April 12, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson statue
Former University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson waves to the crowd while making his entrance a statue in his honor at the Eddie Lynch Pavilion at McKale Center, Thursday, April 12, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Arizona men's coach Sean Miller, left, chats with former coach Lute Olson at halftime of the women's game against Northern Arizona at McKale Center, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Lute Olson
Former Arizona coach head Lute Olson watches the first half of the Wildcats game against Washington at McKale Arena, Thursday, February 7, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!