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Wednesday, January 3, 2001
Bobbi Olson, 65, had ovarian cancer
Associated Press
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TUCSON, Ariz. -- To Arizona's basketball players, Bobbi
Olson did so much more than cheer from the sidelines.
|  | | Bobbi Olson and Lute Olson celebrated Arizona's 1997 national title as a team. Bobbi Olson lost her 2½-year battle with cancer on Monday. |
"She was like a second mother to me," said Portland Trail
Blazers guard Damon Stoudamire, who played for Arizona from 1991 to
1995. "Their door was always open, and she treated me like I was
her own. I couldn't have asked for more."
Bobbi Olson, the wife of coach Lute Olson for 47 years, died
Monday at 65 after a 2½-year battle with ovarian cancer.
Her husband, who has been at Arizona 18 years, has been on an
indefinite leave since Saturday. He was by her side, along with
other family members.
Bobbi Olson was a big part of recruiting at Arizona. She even
cooked pancakes for prospective players when they visited the
campus.
Forward Eugene Edgerson said any recruit had to receive her
approval before making the team.
"Mrs. Olson was very instrumental," forward Richard Jefferson
added.
Her cancer was diagnosed more than two years ago after she
returned from a vacation in Hungary. Doctors spoke optimistically
when she showed remarkable improvement after initial chemotherapy
treatments. The cancer reappeared last year, and she died at
University Medical Center.
"Bobbi faced her illness with great courage," Lute Olson said.
"Her love of family remained her priority and even in her last
moments she continued taking care of and comforting all of us as
only a wife and mother can do."
Olson thanked Tucson residents for their support and respect of
the family's privacy.
Funeral services will be private. A memorial service will be
held Sunday at 3 p.m. at McKale Center where the team plays its
home games. Additionally, a memorial fund has been established at
the Arizona Cancer Center at the University of Arizona.
Jim Rosborough, the associate head coach currently running the
team, canceled Monday morning's practice after breaking the news to
the team. He declined to say when Olson might return.
"Clearly it's a situation when he's ready everybody would want
him back," Rosborough said. "But we haven't discussed it yet."
Athletic director Jim Livengood said it was no coincidence the
Wildcats, who were No. 1 in the preseason poll, have struggled
trying to keep their minds on basketball. Arizona is 7-4.
Bobbi Olson, born Roberta Rae Russell, was admired for her
community involvement and fund-raising efforts for charitable
organizations.
She also was praised for the grace and grit with which she faced
her illness.
"I just feel I've had a wonderful life," she told The Arizona
Daily Star in April. "God has a plan for all of us, and if that's
his plan, that will be it."
Stoudamire said he was brought to tears while speaking with his
former coach on the phone.
"Coach is holding up, but obviously it's a tough thing,"
Stoudamire said Monday night. "They were best friends."
Stoudamire hopes to travel to Tucson for the funeral.
Jason Terry, now with the Atlanta Hawks, told the Tucson Citizen
that a highlight of the team's 1997 national championship was
seeing Bobbi Olson's face light up during the celebration.
"That was probably the brightest I've ever seen it," he said.
Mike Bibby, who played with Terry on that team and is now with
the Vancouver Grizzlies, recalled when Bobbi and Lute Olson made a
recruiting visit. He remembers her words of encouragement coupled
with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"That helped me out a lot that she cared," he said.
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ALSO SEE
Vitale: Remembering Bobbi Olson
Katz: Olson will return to Wildcats when time is right
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