Arizona Basketball to hold tribute for Lute Olson at McKale Center

Nearly a year after the tragic passing of Lute Olson, former Arizona Basketball head coach Lute Olson will have a tribute in his honor at McKale Center.

Last year was a bit of a blur for everyone as we all dealt with the ongoing pandemic, and in the middle of the wild year, we tragically lost former Arizona Basketball head coach Lute Olson.

A day we all dreaded happening, but knew would come sooner rather than later, we [the collective we] did not get a chance to properly say goodbye and pay homage to the man that not only put Arizona Basketball on the map but specifically Tucson.

Well, as we now approach the year anniversary of his passing, Arizona Basketball fans will finally be able to say farewell.

On Tuesday, the school announced that they will hold a public tribute for Lute Olson at McKale Center on September 12.

The University of Arizona will host its first public tribute for Lute on Sunday, September 12 at 11:30 a.m. (MST) inside the McKale Center. And for those unable to attend can watch and follow the Live Stream of the event that will be provided by the school.

Many fans will still fondly remember Lute for building the Wildcats the right way. Spending over 20 seasons at Arizona, Lute established a strong, winning tradition in Tucson.

For years he served as a quintessential father figure to many student-athletes that often came hundreds or thousands of miles, leaving their families and homes behind to play for Arizona and developed great men and great basketball players in the process.

Beyond that, he is a very accomplished and decorated head coach, having amassed 781 wins as a head coach in his career, with 589 of them coming in Tucson alone. In his time in Tucson, Lute helped guide the Wildcats to four Final Four appearances, two NCAA Title appearances, and the schools’ lone National Championship in 1997.