Basketball court to be named after former Salinan
2/13/2012
By CHRIS HUNTER
The basketball court at the Salina Bicentennial Center soon will bear the name of former Salinan and Oklahoma State University women’s basketball coach Kurt Budke.
Salina city commissioners voted unanimously Monday to name the court after Budke at the suggestion of Larry Britegam and Mike Chaput, who filed a petition earlier this month. The two Salinans had known Budke for more than 40 years.
"It made sense to us because it is the most public and visible place where Salina could recognize Kurt," Britegam said. "This will keep his name alive for a long, long time."
Budke was among four people killed in a plane crash in Arkansas during a recruiting trip on Nov. 17. His assistant coach, Miranda Serna, and OSU supporters Olin and Paula Branstetter, of Ponca City, Okla., also were killed.
Chaput and Britegam said they hope to unveil the name of the court between the third-place and national championship games at the NJCAA Women’s National Championship in March.
Read more about the naming of the court in Tuesday's Journal.
Discuss This Story:
Print 
Email
