The tragic deaths of four people in a plane crash in Arkansas last night included two members of the Oklahoma State women’s basketball coaching staff on a recruiting trip: head coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna. They were both part of a tremendous program that had helped turn the Oklahoma State women’s basketball program around in recent years to enjoy its greatest run of success to date.
According to the university bio, “During his six seasons in Stillwater, Kurt Budke has orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds ever witnessed on the college basketball landscape. As head coach of the Oklahoma State women’s program, he has elevated the Cowgirls to the national stage and provided a consistent postseason presence for the first time in more than a decade. Under his direction, OSU has made postseason appearances in each of the past five seasons after reaching the second round of the WNIT in 2011.”
Just last year, Budke’s team had an incredible six wins against Top 25 teams. He certainly had the Cowgirls on the rise not only in the Big 12 but on the national scene. Now a campus and conference mourn and grieve for what has been tragically lost. Our hearts and prayers continue to be with the OSU family this morning.