Arizona Wildcats basketball coach Lute Olson formally announced another new member of his team Wednesday: a fiancée.
During a benefit dinner at the UA student union hosted by former Wildcat Steve Kerr, Olson introduced Kelly Pugnea as his fiancée, saying she's a "very, very good person."
Pugnea, 47, is a divorced mom of two boys. They reside in Tucson. Olson said after the banquet that the two met seven months ago but have no wedding date at this point.
"No plans yet," Olson said. "Probably next summer."
Olson, 74, divorced his second wife of 4 1/2 years, Christine, while he took a leave of absence from coaching last season. His first wife of 47 years, Bobbi, died in 2001.
The introduction was one of several reasons Olson smiled during his short speech. Aside from cracking a few jokes, after the Wildcat players had been introduced, he expressed optimism about the upcoming season.
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"As you can see, we've got a lot of personalities," Olson said. "They're working hard. They're a great group. They have a lot of chemistry and we're very excited."
More optimism
Juniors Nic Wise and Chase Budinger expressed similarly upbeat views about the upcoming season, in which both of them figure to be key leaders.
"We expect the Pac-10 championship and nothing less," Wise said. Expect the team "to be hard-nosed. Coach O is back — we missed him last year, and we needed him. We've got a new staff. Everybody's getting acclimated to the new system."
Budinger said the biggest thing for him is to be a leader on the floor.
"I'm going to be very aggressive out there," Budinger said. "I put on some weight. They're not going to push me around."
The Red-Blue Game is Nov. 1, and the Cats open the season here against Florida Atlantic in the preseason NIT on Nov. 17.
Facility on track
Despite minor delays from monsoon-related flooding, UA's new basketball/volleyball practice facility is on track to open just before the beginning of full-length basketball practices Oct.17.
Steve Kozachik, UA's assistant athletic director for facilities and capital projects, said workers are now doing final touches such as painting lines and putting up a graphics package on the walls.
No Stover change
The removal of guard Reger Dowell off UA's 2009 recruiting class is not affecting the decision of post player Anthony Stover, his father said.
Dowell's disappearance, which Dowell's father said was a result of Olson pulling his offer, left the Wildcats with 13 scholarship players for next season, although UA is expected to receive at least two more openings next spring if Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill leave.
"That has nothing to do with our decision," Craig Stover said. "Our decision was going to be based on our analysis and what Anthony felt."
Craig Stover said his son would probably make a decision this week.
Bennett on hand
Former Washington State coach Dick Bennett has been in Tucson this week but not because he is finally taking Olson up on an offer for a free golf vacation here as a retirement gift two years ago.
Bennett is simply spending a few days advising his former Wisconsin-Stevens Point player, Terry Porter, who now coaches the Suns.
"I haven't been able to do anything," said Bennett, saying he could not come last season because of hip replacement surgery. "I hope (Olson) still remembers."
