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Lute Olson decided to take his divorce squablings to the public airwaves - and soon-to-be ex-wife Christine quickly followed suit.
The Arizona basketball coach called in to the Johnjay & Rich show on Phoenix radio station 93.7 KRQ Friday morning, to discuss an article in the ARIZONA DAILY STAR about financial issues between the Olsons.
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The ARIZONA DAILY STAR reports that Lute Olson has officially said he’ll be back on the Wildcats’ sidelines next year.
The Arizona coach didn’t speak to the media, but issued a press release on Monday, trying to explain his season-long leave of absence. Read more…
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The SPORTING NEWS has some *breaking news* for us today:
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So it appears that ol’ Lute just keeps getting stronger down the home stretch (fourth item down).UPDATE: FIXED!
OLSON MOVES OUT; WIFE RELEASES DIVORCE STATEMENT: Earlier we reported how Lute Olson’s absence from Arizona was due to divorce proceedings. Now the ASSOCIATED PRESS hears from the Wildcat coach’s wife.
Gordon James, a spokesman for Christine Olson, released this statement about the estranged situation: “Our family has been struggling through a difficult and private matter for some months now. It was our hope that during my husband’s temporary leave of absence, we would be able to focus on our family and successfully address this matter.
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“Unfortunately, it seems that my husband has reached a decision that he is unable to continue our relationship together during this difficult time. While I am personally devastated, I remain committed to my marriage and will continue to support my husband through this difficult time in his life. I have nothing but love and respect for him.”
Meanwhile, Lute’s lawyer, Leonard Karp, has stated, “The marriage has been irretrievably broken with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation.”
James said Christine was informed of the divorce filing Thursday night. He also reports that Lute has moved out of the family’s house.
OLSON KEPT AWAY FROM ‘CATS BY MARRIAGE PROBLEMS: Now we know what ‘family issues’ have kept Lute Olson away from his team this season - marital issues:
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The TUCSON CITIZEN reports the Arizona coach is trading the basketball court for the divorce court, as Olson has filed for a split from his wife Christine.Olson married the former Ms. Toretti in April 2003 in Las Vegas, two years after Lute’s first wife, Bobbi, succumbed to ovarian cancer.
A spokesman said Christine is scheduled to make a statement in New York Friday evening about the matter, while Lute has no immediate plans to comment.
University president Robert Shelton isn’t appearing to take sides on the split-up, saying, “They’re both good people and I wish them well.”
FAMILY AFFAIRS KEEP OLSON OUT FOR REST OF SEASON: Lute Olson’s indefinite absence is now definite, as the Arizona coach announced he will sit out the remainder of the season:
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The ARIZONA REPUBLIC reports that Olson told the Tucson school he would be gone for the rest of the year, but said he plans to be back courtside next season.When asked for reasons for Olson’s prolonged absence, university president Dr. Robert Shelton said, “All I know is that it has to do with issues within the family.”
Assistant Kevin O’Neill, who already earned experience coaching collegiate Wildcats during his Northwestern days, will remain the de facto leader.
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The absence will be the longest in Lute’s coaching career since he missed 5 games in 2000-01 to be with his ailing wife Bobbi, who eventually passed away from ovarian cancer.
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• HOOPS WORLD is losing interest, as Kobe Bryant has apparently already checked out of the Lake Show.• With yesterday’s blockbuster deal, I̵
