2/14/2012
By CHRIS HUNTER Salina Journal
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 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.

"The thought of naming the court after him would be a great fit and tribute to one of Salina's own," Chaput said. "I thought it would be appropriate to honor and recognize Kurt Budke for his accomplishments in basketball."

An illustrious career

Budke set scoring and rebounding records at Sacred Heart High School in the late 1970s that still stand. He then went on to play and coach college basketball.

Chaput told commissioners that Budke won four junior college national championships and was the youngest coach inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame. After nine seasons in the NJCAA, he went on to coach Louisiana Tech and Oklahoma State in the NCAA. He won more than 80 percent of the games he coached.

"If his record was 100-300, I think we would still be up here," Britegam said. "He was about Salina."

Britegam told commissioners that Budke was more than a coach to his players.

"A lot of them didn't have anything in their family and Kurt was like a father to them," Britegam said.

No cost to city

Britegam and Chaput said they will pay for a decal to be placed on the court for the NJCAA Tournament and pay for the letters to be painted on the court when the court is repainted.

"Taxpayers won't have to pay a cent," Britegam said.

Britegam and Chaput said they also want to install a shadow box depicting Budke's life to allow more people to learn about him.

"We want everyone to remember Kurt because he was a Salinan and he had a big heart," Britegam said after the meeting. "Even though he moved away from Salina, it was always home to him. He cared deeply for the community. He was a family guy and never forgot his friends. Our intention is to not let Kurt Budke's life go away for a long time."

-- Reporter Chris Hunter can be reached at 822-1422 or by email at chunter@salina.com.

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