Lute Olson’s Legacy Lives on in His Grandchildren

How many of us have been invited to the White House? How many of us were invited to the White House because either we are or our family member is a world champion? Thought so.

It’s been five years since Julie Hairgrove last earned a World Championship with the WNBA Phoenix Mercury as the Lead Assistant Coach. Coach Hairgove has won the World Championship with the Mercury three times in 2007, 2009, and recently in 2014 when the Mercury returned as the WNBA Champs once again. The Mercury is owned by Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver.

Not only is this the mark of a truly great coach, Hairgrove accomplished this feat under the direction of three different Head Coaches: Paul Westhead (former Oregon (W), Bulls, Lakers, LMU and more), Corey Gaines (Former LMU Men’s Head Coach) and now WNBA Coach of the Year Sandy Brondello.

The Phoenix Mercury has the record for the highest attendance and set a WNBA record for the highest number of wins in the season last year (29 wins and only 5 losses.) There is no question why they have the most dedicated fans, they are a very exciting and successful team.

This is Julie’s 10th season with the Mercury. She has been fortunate to be able to coach the best female basketball players in the world: Diana Taurasi (being paid by international team to ‘not’ play this summer in the WNBA) and Brittney Griner, but also Penny Taylor, Candice Dupree and Dewanna Bonner and more.

In case you didn’t know, Julie was a four-year letter winner and led her Foothills high school to the state basketball championship in 1997, the same year her Grandfather’s team won the NCAA Championship. Julie then moved on to play basketball for the University of Arizona from 1998-2002, where she won multiple awards for having the highest free-throw percentage and was tri-team captain in 2001/2002.

Arizona Wildcats

Her next move was to Los Angeles California to help Head Coach Julie Wilhoit lead their Lady Lions to a WCC Tournament Championship in 2003/2004 earning the team a bid to the NCAA tournament. This was a huge milestone for the school, and only her first professional championship. This is when I first met Julie, my two daughters were LMU ball girls and our families clicked and have been close ever since.

I caught up with Coach Wilhoit today while she was travelling through Europe, and she had a lot of wonderful things to say about their time together:

“We called Julie Lil’ Julie. Lil’ Julie was a great addition to our staff, she offered us a fresh perspective and connected with everyone in our program. Her work ethic and determination was infectious. She wanted to coach and was willing to do everything needed to make it happen. We loved having her in our program and was so excited for her when new opportunities arose. It’s no wonder we won a championship!”

Sitting in the front row of while the president gave his speech was the love of Julie’s life and college sweetheart, her husband. They have been together ever since raising three beautiful and confident daughters who are also skilled young athletes, so watch out world! The girls were a big part of the championship celebrations on the court and in the locker room along with Coach Brondello’s children.

Coach Julie Hairgrove, Mike Hairgrove, Dewanna Bonner and Candice Dupree at the White House Aug 27 2015

As ZonaZealots reported earlier this month, the Houston Rockets announced Julie’s brother Matt Brase is the new Head Coach for the Vipers, the Rockets D-League NBA team. It’s been an exciting week for these successful siblings and their family. The Lute Olson coaching legacy lives on, and it is fun to watch!

Related Article–> Rockets D-League Team, The Vipers, Names a Wildcat as Their New Head Coach!

More from Cats in the Pros

• From Arizona Wildcat to New York Yankee, Austin Wells gets called up
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s FIBA World Cup performance is reminiscent of Kobe Bryant’s
• Rawle Alkins a star in the Drew League this summer
• Former Wildcat Scooby Wright wins Second USFL Title
• The Edmonton Elks have re-signed former Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate

This past week, it was Julie’s turn to celebrate. Her Phoenix Mercury team won the WNBA Championships last season and we know what that means, yes, a trip to the White House to celebrate with POTUS and FLOTUS!

In his congratulatory speech, President Barack Obama explained the important role the Mercury plays in the world and that the team “is representative of what the WNBA is all about..they and women across the WNBA are changing the way that young girls including my daughters see themselves. As a dad I’ve witnessed the shift in just the last 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, in terms of it just being taken for granted that women are great athletes and great leaders and that just doesn’t happen unless these outstanding women perform the way they do.”

View image | gettyimages.com

This isn’t Julie’s first trip to the White House, she first visited with her grandfather Lute Olson when the Wildcats won the NCAA championships in 1997, the man at the podium that year? President Bill Clinton.  The second time with the Phoenix Mercury under Head Coach Corey Gaines in 2007. On this trip she met then President George W. Bush. Then in 2009 and again this year, she celebrated with current President Barack Obama.  She has met three different presidents in 18 years, impressive!

You can watch the full telecast of the White House celebration fully of humor and well deserved smiles and accolades by clicking here.

This season the Mercury is now 17-11 and in second place in the Western Conference behind the Minnesota Linx who are 19-9. Last night the Mercury beat the Connecticut Sun, again (they beat them in the finals last season), as Leilani Mitchell made a three-point shot at the buzzer!

Congrats to the Phoenix Mercury!

Beardown Lil’ Julie!

Next: Rockets D-League Team, The Vipers, Names a Wildcat as Their New Head Coach!