Sun, Jul 06, 2008

Tucson Region

No reconciliation in Olson divorce

By Kim Smith
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.02.2008
A reconciliation petition in Lute Olson's divorce has been withdrawn, clearing the way for the coach's marriage dissolution to go forward, according to a document filed late Thursday in Pima County Superior Court.
In December, Olson, University of Arizona men's basketball coach, filed for divorce, saying the marriage was "irrevocably broken."
Christine Olson responded by saying she hoped to save her marriage through counseling, and she asked Judge Sarah Simmons to place a stay on the divorce and transfer their case to conciliation court.
If a reconciliation wasn't possible, said Christine Olson's attorney, Kathleen McCarthy, the transfer could help with an equitable division of the Olsons' property and debt and "determine the enforceability" of their prenuptial agreement.
Pima County Superior Court spokesman David Ricker said the Olsons went through the conciliation court process, but the case was placed back on the regular court calendar when the two did not reconcile.
Lute Olson's attorney, Leonard Karp, did not return phone calls seeking comment Friday. McCarthy declined to comment.
Karp had predicted there would be no reconciliation.
"Nothing has changed. The marriage is still irrevocably broken, and there is no chance of reconciliation," Karp said at the time.
Lute Olson filed for divorce the same day the 25-year UA coach announced he would not coach this year's Wildcats for "personal reasons." He said he plans to return next year.
He 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.
● Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com.