File photo/Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior Wildcat guard Julie Brase has a close relationship inside the UA athletic department, her grandfather and the men's basketball head coach Lute Olson. Brase and Olson have dinner together every Sunday night.

ÎPapa Lute' Olson and granddaughter Brase share special Wildcat and family connection

If Lute Olson had his way, he would have been enjoying the last segment of Midnight Madness from a seat on the floor that bears his and his late wife's names watching his granddaughter Julie Brase scrimmage.

Instead, he was in the middle of an intense half-circle of TV lights and surrounded by tape recorders and reporters writing frantically.

In the end, as the men's basketball head coach wrapped up questions, Julie walked by after completing her scrimmage.

Olson, notably disappointed at the fact that his job and No. 1 ranked team came before his blood, finished up the questions.

Basketball has been a passion for both Brase and Olson for as long as they can remember, and even though at times schedules separate the two from quality family time, both leave no doubt about the family bond.

Not even the intense pressures and time commitments of being a Hall of Fame head coach of a top program, nor the constant activeness of being a college student and player can keep the two from Sunday afternoon family meals together.

"My schedule is really busy and full and so is hers," Olson said. "With all the time that is involved in basketball, there isn't really much time to do anything. That's why I am thankful we can get together on the Sundays for a family meal. I get a chance to see her then."

Brase said she understands and has grown accustomed to seeing her grandfather on occasion, even though it's not as often as she would like.

"He has always been there," Brase said. "I love having him around. Our family is real close. He is always supportive of me and gives me pointers so I can improve my game. He always calls and asks about my games and wants to know what is going on in our lives."

One should not be surprised that Brase got a plastic basketball hoop for her first birthday, considering her grandfather's position, even though Olson said he had nothing to do with it.

"That was her mom and dad, I think," Olson said of Brase's present. "I don't think she was given a whole lot of choices. Thank goodness she likes (basketball)."

It would be the beginning of a basketball passion for Brase, and just another reason Olson loved the game.

While other kids her age were having sleepovers and building forts out of chairs, pillows and blankets, Brase was busy enjoying a playground of her own öö McKale Center.

File photo/Arizona Daily Wildcat UA men's basketball coach Lute Olson makes sure to keep his Sunday nights open to spend with his granddaughter Julie Brase, a senior on the women's basketball team.

Thanks to Olson, Brase started her Wildcat career as a ball girl.

Brase said she didn't quite remember at what age she started, but she was able to make several recollections.

"I don't know how old I was, but when I was younger I was a ball girl for the men's team," Brase said. "The ball was just about as big as me I am sure."

Unlike some that might strut around and show off to her school friends, Brase said along with the job came a great deal of nerves.

"I have never been the type to show off," Brase said. "I was pretty nervous. I just wanted to make sure I didn't mess up and make sure I wiped the sweat up when the guys fell."

Olson said having Brase as a ball girl was an easy decision, and was more than happy giving his granddaughter the opportunity.

"It was a case of where I knew she wanted to be, and as soon as she was able to be she was the ball girl," Olson said. "The ball boys come from guys that have been in our (summer basketball) camp."

As Brase grew older, basketball only became bigger in her life, and Olson was there every step of the way. Though girls were not typically allowed in Olson's summer basketball camps, young Brase was always there.

"When I was in third grade I started going to papa Lute's camp," Brase said. "I didn't really do much of the camp thing except playing here at papa Lute's camp."

Olson recalled a few moments that solidified his belief that Brase was going to become a successful player.

"I remember the first year she was in the camp the boys were all sort of like, Îwell I didn't think we had girls in this camp.' They didn't like the idea that a girl was going to be on their team." Olson said.

It didn't take the boys long to realize this girl could play, and no one was prouder than Olson when they did.

"I remember one of the first times I knew she was going to be a player was when I watched her play and she was guarding the best player, which she always liked to do. The kid was so frustrated by his inability to get the ball that he pushed her down. Julie got back up and didn't say a word, just smiled at him and got back on defense," Olson said.

Julie got so popular that during the all-star game many of those watching started chanting "Julie," Olson said.

Brase continued to develop as a basketball player under the careful eye of Olson.

Though Olson was there when Brase needed him, he gave Brase the needed space for her own growth, she said.

"That was the understanding we always had," Olson said. "Any time she wanted to talk she knew I was always available. I didn't want to put any more pressure on her."

Brase took up tennis and played throughout high school, but knew in the back of her mind that basketball was her sport.

"Basketball was always there and always an option," Brase said. "I also played other sports. The two main sports were tennis and basketball. Really, when it came down to it, I knew basketball was what I was best at."

When it came time to decide on colleges, the choice that seems like a no-brainer actually was a little more difficult than one might imagine.

"I always wanted to play in McKale Center, because it's kind of where I grew up," Brase said. "I looked at other schools to keep my mind open."

Even Arizona State came up as a possibility, Brase said.

"I looked at ASU because I thought the coach was a great coach. That was the reason, but I was just looking. ASU wouldn't have gone over well. Papa Lute would have been pretty upset," said Brase, laughing.

"I felt that one would not be a good choice," Olson said of the thought of attending ASU. "It would put more pressure on her. Down deep all along I was hoping she would come to the UA."