Kurt Budke Had Many Friends And Received Respect - KATV - Breaking News, Weather and Razorback Sports

OSU women's basketball coach Kurt Budke started coaching college basketball in 1991.  Kurt made a lot of friends in those 20 years.

Many of those friends were coaches he competed against.

Oklahoma head women's coach Sherri Coale released this statement this Friday afternoon. "I am devastated by the tragic news of the deaths of Kurt and Miranda. Kurt was a fantastic basketball coach and he was a tremendous competitor. More importantly, though, he was a devoted father and husband, and a humble but courageous leader of young people.  Our hearts and prayers go out to Kurt's wife, Shelley, and their children, and to Miranda's family, and the families of the other victims as well. Additionally, we are praying for the entire Oklahoma State women's basketball family."

The Sooners men's coach Lon Kruger also knew Coach Budke and had this to say about his friend.  "This is tragic news and an extremely sad day.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Budke and Serna families, as well as the families of the other victims.  I'd known Kurt for many years and always admired and respected him for his work as a basketball coach and for the type of person he was.  We're all thinking about everyone in the Oklahoma State family affected by this terrible tragedy."

ORU women's coach Jerry Finkbeiner was also good friends with Budke.  He respected the way he did things the right way.  He said he admire the way he treated people and the way he loved his family and friends.