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Olson and members of the basktball team will join players on the course to raise money for arthritis research.

By Katie Maass , AHSC Office of Public Affairs
April 8, 2008

The 21st annual Lute Olson Celebrity Auction and Golf Tournament is a two-day event that benefits research at the Arizona Arthritis Center at The University of Arizona College of Medicine. The event is open to the public.

Since it was founded in 1987, the event has raised more than $1.7 million for the Arizona Arthritis Center. This year’s event is made possible by title sponsor Desert Diamond Casino with additional support from University Medical Center and many other sponsors from the Tucson community.

A Center of Excellence at the UA College of Medicine, the Arizona Arthritis Center is dedicated to creating a world free of arthritis and autoimmune disease through basic and clinical research linked with excellent clinical care and education.

Friday evening's celebrity auction is the first charitable supported by Olson since he announced his plans to return as head coach of the UA men's basketball team. Participants will be able to bid on Wildcat memorabilia, autographed jerseys and basketballs, vacation and golf packages and even on a player or coach to join them on their golf team Saturday morning.

A buffet dinner is included with the cost of admission.

Olson, his coaches and players will be on the course Saturday for the tournament and at the 19th Hole Party for lunch, prizes for the winners and a grand finale raffle drawing.

The tournament takes place Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Randolph Golf Complex. Tournament fees, which include a golf shirt and boxed lunch, are $200 per individual, $700 per foursome, $1,000 per foursome with tee sign and $500 for a tee sign.