GOAZCATS.com - Lute Olson honored at McKale

August 8, 2009

Jason Nimrichter
GOAZCATS.com Staff Writer

The Lute Olson retirement ceremony marked the end of an era to many Arizona fans across the nation and those in attendance spent Saturday reflecting on the Hall of Fame coach's career.

With roughly 6500 fans, dozens of former players and even an old rival coach in attendance, the early afternoon was spent celebrating what Olson did, not only as a basketball coach, but as a mentor, teacher, father-figure and friend.

Those who were in attendance left with more of a sense of what impact Olson had on the people he was around during his career.

One man who had a front-row seat for the best years in UA history was announcer Brian Jeffries, who served as master of ceremonies at the event. Jeffries understands first-hand what Olson meant to the community.

"Nobody has done more for the city of Tucson, the University of Arizona, the state of Arizona than Lute Olson," Jeffries said. "Under Lute Olson, we have built the greatest fan base in college basketball."

Jeffries called up several guest speakers ranging from family, former players, local politicians and even a fan who read a poem about Olson to the crowd. The first to step to the podium was athletic director Jim Livengood, who was proud to have Olson representing UA for a quarter-century.

"People ask me all the time about Lute Olson, and the one word that comes to mind is 'class'," Livengood said. "He is a class act. He embodies the definition of the word. Nobody loves their family more than Lute Olson. The phrase 'family first' is a Lute Olson trademark."

Livengood knows that Lute made Arizona basketball a brand by the way he ran the program.

"Lute Olson is exactly what being a Wildcat is all about." Livengood said.

University of Arizona President Robert Shelton mirrored Livengood's sentiments.

"Lute Olson is the greatest coach and leader of men in the history of college basketball," Shelton said.

Coach Olson's long-lasting effect on the community has been felt by many people from all walks of life. From your average blue-collar working individual to some of the more powerful public figures in the state of Arizona. His impact went far beyond the boundaries of college basketball and touched the lives of thousands of fans and supporters over the years.

Count Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup as one of those who recognizes Olson's legacy as one that extends much further than the basketball court.

"Some words that come to mind when you think of Coach Olson's legacy: brilliance, talent, performance and magic," Walkup said. "There is a certain magic about today. Today is a day that we will never forget. It's rare that so many people can get together and celebrate the career of such a special man."

Walkup continued to show his gratitude throughout his speech.

"We thank you for what you have done for this university and for this city, making it the best city in the country," Walkup said.

With numerous ex-Wildcats in attendance, it was a time for many of them to reflect on their time with Olson. Arguably the greatest Wildcat to ever step foot inside the McKale Center, Sean Elliott, was a local star when he was playing ball at Cholla High School. However, when his college days began under Olson, he received a large dose of reality from the legend.

"He was the first coach to be critical of me," Elliott said. "He was the first coach to give me tough love. He was the first coach to say if I didn't play hard, I wasn't that good. He was the first coach that said if I didn't rebound, I wasn't going to play."

Elliott was an NBA All-Star, champion and is considered one of the greatest San Antonio Spurs ever, but he wouldn't trade any of that for his time under Olson.

"There's nothing, no championships, no accolades, nothing that can replace what I, or anyone else, learned during their time with Coach Olson," Elliott said. "I don't want anyone to forget what he has done for all of us. Not just those of us that played under him, but all of us."

Olson was known as a coach that was generally harder on his younger players. He would allow more leniency to the older players, while making sure the underclassmen got their game up to par.

One player who didn't get to play as a junior or senior under Olson was Andre Iguodala, who left for the NBA after a promising sophomore season. Always being one of the younger guys on the team, Iguodala recalls how hard Olson was on him, but now understands that Olson was preparing him for his next chapter in life.

"My time here was kind of short, but in my two years with Coach Olson, he turned a boy into a man," Iguodala said. "He taught me so much about basketball and about life. He has been so influential. I was immature when I came in, and he taught me so much."

While Sean Miller will be leading the next generation of UA basketball, former Wildcat Richard Jefferson believes that the Lute Olson era is timeless.

"The Lute Era is not over, not as long as guys keep accomplishing things," Jefferson said. "A new era is beginning, but Lute's is not over. You look at Luke (Walton) and he's an extension of John Wooden's era through his dad. Eras from people like that never end. As all of us continue our careers, our accomplishments and our children will all be an extension of the Lute Olson Era."

If coach Miller wasn't aware of how big the shoes were to fill before these last couple of days, there is no doubt that he is perfectly aware now. Miller was in awe when speaking about the history that has preceded him at Arizona.

"This group of former players is second to none," Miller said. "It took an amazing coach, an amazing man, to develop the immense talent sitting on the floor today."

After that, Miller took a brief second to recall the history Olson established and understands what that means going forward.

"For eighteen years, eighteen basketball seasons, Coach Olson led the entire basketball world in winning percentage," Miller said. "He went to four Final Fours, including winning it all in 1997. I want to ask Coach how it felt driving home from McKale for four straight seasons and never lose, 71 games in a row.

"The thing I admire most and would make me the proudest as a head coach was I sat in the room last night and listened to these great players speak so highly of their former coach."

With Lute Olson's coaching career behind him and the next chapter of Arizona basketball underway, there is little doubt that the Hall of Fame head coach will always be one of the heads of the UA family. Even with all he has accomplished throughout his coaching career, Olson appeared humbled by the ceremony

"It was overwhelming, the turnout was amazing. I didn't have any idea how many people were going to show up. It was amazing walking in to see how many people were there," Olson said.

He left the fans in attendance with one last statement.

"From the bottom of my heart and the hearts of my family, thank you for all the great years, and Go Wildcats."