Arizona Basketball: Coach Lute Olson brought unity to Tucson

It has been a sad day in Tucson, especially as all of us Arizona Basketball fans have learned that former head coach Lute Olson is battling serious health issues.

What could make 2020 even worse than it already is? How about seeing legendary former Arizona Basketball head coach Lute Olson battle serious health issues?

Well, as we all saw on Tuesday afternoon via social media, it is that Coach Olson is having some serious health complications and could be in a serious fight for his life. The timing of the news is certainly awful, and it hits the Tucson community very hard.

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While I don’t want to speculate or think it is appropriate to even speculate on Lute’s health status, I do feel it is best for us to pray and send our well wishes to Coach Olson and his family.

After all, he is just 85 years young, and has been a staple to Tucson for quite some time. In fact, I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone in the Arizona Athletics and more specifically within the Tucson community, that does not know who he is.

Not only was he just the legendary basketball coach that came from Iowa to Tucson, Arizona of all places, but he followed the abysmal Ben Lindsey era, quickly changing the culture and reputation, making this city a destination for so many!

Despite his prominence on the hardwood, Lute was much more than that, he was an icon! He wasn’t just a “basketball coach”, Lute “got it”.

He was a man that united a community. Through his coaching and community involvement, Lute brought strength and harmony to a town starving not only for basketball greatness, but togetherness.

He has touched the lives of so many, and his impact cane be felt by so many! As we wish him and his family the best, we will continue to enjoy seeing the wonderful memories that many had with Lute!

At Zona Zealots, we would like to send out best wishes to Lute and the Olson family and hope he can recover! As always, Bear Down!