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Lute!: The Seasons of My Life
Lute! presents the autobiography of one of college basketball's greatest coaches, Lute Olson. "It was love at first sight. . . . One day I picked up a basketball, and it never let me go."
For fifty seasons Lute Olson taught young athletes the skills of basketball--and life. Starting as a high school coach, he worked his way to the top of the basketball world, winning more than a thousand games, a national championship, and a world championship, producing some of the NBA's biggest stars, and eventually being enshrined in the basketball Hall of Fame.
Lute! is the story of his upbringing in Mayville, North Dakota, where he learned his famous work ethic and survival skills; the telling of the eighteen years it took to finally coach for a major college team; the fond memories of coaching famed players as well as the stories of bitter losses and breathtaking wins. This is his story, from recruiting in the big cities and the vast farmlands of the Midwest, to finally winning an NCAA championship. It's the inside-the-locker-room story of many extraordinary emotional moments that will live forever in basketball lore. "Lute! Lute! Lute!" The cheer by which the Arizona fans greet their coach before each game is the story of a man with a lifelong passion for a game. This book will take the reader inside the incredibly popular world of collegiate basketball, as seen through the eyes of a giant of the sport.
But his is far more than a basketball story. Lute's partner for forty-seven years in building championship programs was his high school sweetheart, Bobbi, whose blueberry pancakes became as widely known in the basketball world as his own full head of white hair. While Lute was the taciturn coach, she became the player's mother-away-from-home. America got to meet her as she fought her way courtside through cheering fans after Lute's Arizona team had earned a trip to the Final Four, and on national television he swept her off her feet and the two of them whirled round and round in joy. It is a love story of a couple who together built a sports legend. Lute and Bobbi Olson were a team. The Arizona community loved her almost as much as he did---traditionally at the beginning of each game the Wildcat band greeted them with a cheer. Their almost half-century love affair ended with Bobbi's death from cancer. Lute explores how he dealt with her death, and how he moved forward to find a new love.
This is the chronicle of one American boy's dream to become a great basketball coach--his achievements, his coaching strategies, and the wins and losses he faced as boy, man, and coach, but always with one constant in his the game of basketball. This is the story of fifty seasons in the life of Lute Olson.
For fifty seasons Lute Olson taught young athletes the skills of basketball--and life. Starting as a high school coach, he worked his way to the top of the basketball world, winning more than a thousand games, a national championship, and a world championship, producing some of the NBA's biggest stars, and eventually being enshrined in the basketball Hall of Fame.
Lute! is the story of his upbringing in Mayville, North Dakota, where he learned his famous work ethic and survival skills; the telling of the eighteen years it took to finally coach for a major college team; the fond memories of coaching famed players as well as the stories of bitter losses and breathtaking wins. This is his story, from recruiting in the big cities and the vast farmlands of the Midwest, to finally winning an NCAA championship. It's the inside-the-locker-room story of many extraordinary emotional moments that will live forever in basketball lore. "Lute! Lute! Lute!" The cheer by which the Arizona fans greet their coach before each game is the story of a man with a lifelong passion for a game. This book will take the reader inside the incredibly popular world of collegiate basketball, as seen through the eyes of a giant of the sport.
But his is far more than a basketball story. Lute's partner for forty-seven years in building championship programs was his high school sweetheart, Bobbi, whose blueberry pancakes became as widely known in the basketball world as his own full head of white hair. While Lute was the taciturn coach, she became the player's mother-away-from-home. America got to meet her as she fought her way courtside through cheering fans after Lute's Arizona team had earned a trip to the Final Four, and on national television he swept her off her feet and the two of them whirled round and round in joy. It is a love story of a couple who together built a sports legend. Lute and Bobbi Olson were a team. The Arizona community loved her almost as much as he did---traditionally at the beginning of each game the Wildcat band greeted them with a cheer. Their almost half-century love affair ended with Bobbi's death from cancer. Lute explores how he dealt with her death, and how he moved forward to find a new love.
This is the chronicle of one American boy's dream to become a great basketball coach--his achievements, his coaching strategies, and the wins and losses he faced as boy, man, and coach, but always with one constant in his the game of basketball. This is the story of fifty seasons in the life of Lute Olson.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 5, 2007
The first two pages made me bawl my eyes out...you can imagine what happened when I read the part when Lute's beloved wife, Bobbi, died of cancer in 2001. I had to put it down, cry, sniffle, blow my nose, pick up the book to read some more, cry, repeat the process, etc.
This book is more than Lute's commentary/biography about basketball: it is a love story about basketball and Bobbi wrapped into one emotional roller-coaster ride. This is a MUST READ for any University of Arizona fan and very interesting to any basketball lover or anyone who has respect/interest in Lute Olson's amazing life. I stood in line at the U of A bookstore for two hours and bought copies for my dad, my grandpa, myself and a friend at a Lute book-signing. It was well worth the wait to have an autographed copy. Also, a huge chunk of the proceed's for this book go to Bobbie Olson's cancer research fund. Buy one for everyone you know!
This book is more than Lute's commentary/biography about basketball: it is a love story about basketball and Bobbi wrapped into one emotional roller-coaster ride. This is a MUST READ for any University of Arizona fan and very interesting to any basketball lover or anyone who has respect/interest in Lute Olson's amazing life. I stood in line at the U of A bookstore for two hours and bought copies for my dad, my grandpa, myself and a friend at a Lute book-signing. It was well worth the wait to have an autographed copy. Also, a huge chunk of the proceed's for this book go to Bobbie Olson's cancer research fund. Buy one for everyone you know!
July 28, 2019
Before reading this book, I was not a huge follower of college basketball - I had not even heard of Lute Olson.
Therefore, I feel that my enjoyment of this book has been slightly numbed as I had no base knowledge nor interest in his career. Of course I flowed with the ups and downs of his life, but they all felt slightly muted as I wasn't there when they originally happened.
There are times in this book where I feel Olson concentrates on less interesting subjects for too long, which leaves less time to talk about major accomplishments. For example both his national championship run and Hall of Fame induction seem to be over far too soon.
A solid read overall, but perhaps one for more dedicated followers of the NCAA, and in particular, the workings of Mr. Olson.
Therefore, I feel that my enjoyment of this book has been slightly numbed as I had no base knowledge nor interest in his career. Of course I flowed with the ups and downs of his life, but they all felt slightly muted as I wasn't there when they originally happened.
There are times in this book where I feel Olson concentrates on less interesting subjects for too long, which leaves less time to talk about major accomplishments. For example both his national championship run and Hall of Fame induction seem to be over far too soon.
A solid read overall, but perhaps one for more dedicated followers of the NCAA, and in particular, the workings of Mr. Olson.
December 28, 2018
Nice to learn more about a coach I knew almost nothing about. Despite being so well respected in the industry I felt like I had no idea who Lute Olson was. Very informative for a fan of college basketball beyond just the east coast
January 1, 2021
Read enough to get what I wanted out of it about his time at Iowa. Little known fact to me, Iowa came close to getting Isiah Thomas.
August 7, 2008
A must read for any UA Wildcat fan. While some say this is a "sugar coated" version (and I believe that it is, to some extent), it is nice to get a background on Arizona's favorite Basketball coach. This was published before his (messy?) divorce, so I don't know what the next one will bring, but it does show his reasoning and state of mind leading up to his second marriage, which, for those who loved Bobbi, might not have otherwise understood.
He goes into his philosophy of coaching (which, I believe may have changed, as he doesn't seem to be a "defensive specialist" like he began, and his style and approach seems different with today's teams than of years past). It also reminisces on the great accomplishments of UA basketball. These are the reasons to read the book. This is what makes it fun and special. It isn't often you get an insight into the mind of a very private individual, so this is a great chance - don't pass it up! :)
He goes into his philosophy of coaching (which, I believe may have changed, as he doesn't seem to be a "defensive specialist" like he began, and his style and approach seems different with today's teams than of years past). It also reminisces on the great accomplishments of UA basketball. These are the reasons to read the book. This is what makes it fun and special. It isn't often you get an insight into the mind of a very private individual, so this is a great chance - don't pass it up! :)
July 17, 2012
As a huge Arizona basketball fan, this book brought back a lot of good memories . I thought the author did a great job divulging the emotion of the time with his wife;s cancer as well. But the part that I loved best was learning about Lute's earlier days in coaching before Arizona and seeing how many greats he has crossed paths with. A good memoir of a great coach and a good man.
January 2, 2008
Very interesting autobiography of my favorite basketball coach. A tale of life, true love, hard work and lessons learned on and off the court.
February 19, 2009
A really underrated coach—who does the ratings?
Still trying to figure that out.
Still trying to figure that out.
May 13, 2009
Why not read a book about Lute Olson? Decent read. Good stories about players on the team.
August 4, 2011
Love Lute Olsen and Arizona Basketball.
February 7, 2015
Nothing really ground-breaking. Cool to learn about a person so loved in Arizona.
May 5, 2008
I have an autographed copy!!! Must read for any avid Wildcat fan.
March 31, 2017
Lute Olson is old fashioned and not a gifted storyteller, but if you grew up worshipping University of Arizona basketball, as I did, this book is the greatest behind the scenes look at some of the most memorable moments in your life. Bear Down, Arizona!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews