Christine Olson, wife of University of Arizona men's basketball coach Lute Olson, hopes to save her marriage through counseling, according to court documents.
Last month, Lute Olson filed for divorce from his wife of four years, saying the marriage is "irrevocably broken."
According to court documents filed late Friday, Christine Olson doesn't believe the marriage is beyond repair and wants Pima County Superior Court Judge Sarah Simmons to place a stay on the divorce and transfer their case to conciliation court.
"Respondent remains committed to preserving the marital relationship," Christine Olson's attorney, Kathleen McCarthy, states in the response.
Transferring the case will "effectuate a reconciliation of the spouses or an amicable adjustment or settlement of the issues," McCarthy wrote.
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McCarthy also asked Simmons to make an equitable division of the Olsons' property and debt and "determine the enforceability" of their prenuptial agreement.
The court documents may give mixed messages, but Christine Olson definitely wants to reconcile, said her spokesman, Gordon James.
"I'm not a lawyer, but . . . I think they've got to say all those things," James said. "Christine is very worried about Coach, and she's still in love. If there's any way to save the marriage, she'd like to work on it."
Lute Olson's attorney, Leonard Karp, said Christine Olson's response hasn't changed his client's mind.
"Nothing has changed. The marriage is still irrevocably broken, and there is no chance of reconciliation," Karp said.
Having said that however, Karp said he still expects Simmons to require the Olsons to go through the conciliation court process, which could delay the divorce for as long as 60 days.
If the Olsons don't reconcile, the attorneys will begin preparing for negotiations or a trial, Karp said.
Lute Olson filed for divorce the same day the 25-year UA coach announced he would not be coaching this year's Wildcats for "personal reasons." He said he plans to return next year.
Lute Olson had been on leave since Nov. 4, leaving the program in the hands of his assistant, Kevin O'Neill.
Olson, 73, married the former Christine Toretti, 50, in Las Vegas in 2003.
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