Oklahoma State University Athletics
Budke Inducted Into Hall of Fame
June 14, 2015 | Cowgirl Basketball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Former Oklahoma State head coach Kurt Budke was officially inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday as part of the Hall's 17th group of inductees inside the Tennessee Theatre.
In addition to Budke, the Class of 2015 included four-time Olympian Janeth Arcain, longtime Duke head coach Gail Goestenkors, University of Georgia standout Janet Harris, four-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie and longtime Oregon high school coach Brad Smith.
Prior to his arrival in Stillwater, Budke was twice named the National Junior College Athletic Association Coach of the Year, receiving the honor in 1995 and 1998. He guided Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College to four national titles, leading the Lady Cardinals to championships in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1999. He compiled a junior college record of 273-31 (.898), the highest in NJCAA history, and became the youngest coach to ever be inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
Budke directed the Louisiana Tech program from 2002-2005, compiling an 80-16 record and earning three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
The Salina, Kan., native took over the Cowgirl program in 2005-06. His second season resulted in a 20-win campaign, the largest turnaround in the nation and the program's first NCAA Tournament berth in 11 seasons. In 2007-08, his squad matched the school record with 27 wins and reached the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second time in program history.
The Cowgirls won 24 games during the 2009-2010 campaign and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Budke led OSU to WNIT berths in 2009 and 2011.
He compiled a record of 112-83 during his time in Stillwater and coached the program's first-ever WNBA draft pick in Andrea Riley.
Budke passed away on Nov. 17, 2011 in a plane crash while on a recruiting trip in Arkansas.
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He was previously inducted into the Barton Community College Sports Hall of Fame, Kansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinal Hall of Fame. Additionally, the floor inside the Bicentennial Center, home of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship, in his hometown of Salina, Kan., is named in his honor.
In addition to Budke, the Class of 2015 included four-time Olympian Janeth Arcain, longtime Duke head coach Gail Goestenkors, University of Georgia standout Janet Harris, four-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie and longtime Oregon high school coach Brad Smith.
Prior to his arrival in Stillwater, Budke was twice named the National Junior College Athletic Association Coach of the Year, receiving the honor in 1995 and 1998. He guided Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College to four national titles, leading the Lady Cardinals to championships in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1999. He compiled a junior college record of 273-31 (.898), the highest in NJCAA history, and became the youngest coach to ever be inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
Budke directed the Louisiana Tech program from 2002-2005, compiling an 80-16 record and earning three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
The Salina, Kan., native took over the Cowgirl program in 2005-06. His second season resulted in a 20-win campaign, the largest turnaround in the nation and the program's first NCAA Tournament berth in 11 seasons. In 2007-08, his squad matched the school record with 27 wins and reached the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second time in program history.
The Cowgirls won 24 games during the 2009-2010 campaign and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Budke led OSU to WNIT berths in 2009 and 2011.
He compiled a record of 112-83 during his time in Stillwater and coached the program's first-ever WNBA draft pick in Andrea Riley.
Budke passed away on Nov. 17, 2011 in a plane crash while on a recruiting trip in Arkansas.
Â
He was previously inducted into the Barton Community College Sports Hall of Fame, Kansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinal Hall of Fame. Additionally, the floor inside the Bicentennial Center, home of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship, in his hometown of Salina, Kan., is named in his honor.
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