[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING HALL-OF-FAME UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH LUTE 
                                 OLSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2009

  Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Robert Luther 
``Lute'' Olson, the former men's basketball head coach at the 
University of Arizona.
  In his long and illustrious collegiate career Lute Olson amassed a 
record of 780-280 in 34 seasons, including a 589-187 mark in his time 
at Arizona. He holds the all-time record for Pac-10 victories with 327. 
He is also one of only 17 coaches with over 1,000 victories, spanning a 
career as a high school, junior college, and college head coach.
  On March 29, 1983, Coach Olson became the head coach at Arizona after 
successful runs at Long Beach State and the University of Iowa, the 
latter of which he guided to the 1979 Big Ten title and the 1980 Final 
Four. Few could have predicted the meteoric rise of the program he 
turned around from a 4-24 record in 1983. Just 2 years later, he guided 
the team to the NCAA tournament and began the Nation's longest active 
streak for NCAA tournament appearances, currently at 24 consecutive 
seasons.
  Lute Olson transformed the University of Arizona and the Tucson 
desert into a college basketball oasis. In his 24 seasons he won one 
national championship, reached 4 Final Fours, and won 11 Pac-10 titles, 
solidifying the program as a perennial title contender and bringing 
national prestige to both city and school.
  At the top of his game, Coach Olson took the Wildcats on an 
improbable run to the 1997 national title, including victories over 
three No. 1 seeds, a feat not achieved before or since. For these 
accomplishments, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball 
Hall of Fame on Sept. 27, 2002.
  Lute Olson's successes were not limited to the hardwood. As a high 
school teacher in Mahnomen, Minnesota, he taught six classes, was head 
coach of the basketball and football team, and assistant coach on the 
baseball team. He went to become a junior high counselor in Colorado, 
high school coach in Southern California and entered the collegiate 
ranks in 1972.
  Along the way, as a teacher and coach, Lute Olson has encouraged 
students to live healthy, work hard and pursue their dreams. He has 
inspired and encouraged students across the country, in Tucson, and at 
the University of Arizona. Many young people have benefited from his 
guidance and are proud to call him their mentor.
  I am pleased to acknowledge and thank Coach Olson for his great 
leadership and outstanding contributions to our community.

                          ____________________