Arizona Athletics Establishes Lute Olson Fund for Excellence

A formal announcement of the campaign will take place on Aug. 8 at a public event in McKale Center honoring Coach Olson.

The University of Arizona athletics department has established the Lute Olson Fund for Excellence in Men's Basketball to honor the Hall of Fame coach and ensure the future success of the men's basketball program.

Donations are now being accepted for the fund to pay tribute to an individual who helped shape a program of excellence, and made extraordinary contributions to the Tucson community. 

Contributions of any size will ensure that future student-athletes have the same opportunities for greatness both on and off the court.

"Coach Olson serves as a father figure to so many basketball lettermen and has helped to shape their lives as basketball players and individuals," said honorary fund co-chairman and men's basketball alumnus Steve Kerr. "This fund will not only keep Coach O's dreams alive, but it will help continue the tradition of excellence at the UA."

The first $100,000 will be deposited into an endowment. Other portions will be used for the immediate needs of the men's basketball program, including locker room renovations, heritage and tradition updates, weight room equipment and office technology.

A formal announcement of the campaign will take place on Aug. 8 at a public event in McKale Center honoring Coach Olson. The event is free and requires no ticket for admission.

The celebration of Coach Olson's career will be from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the Lute and Bobbi Olson Court, with doors opening at 10 a.m. Parking is also free and is available in surrounding lots.