The Western Athletic Conference mourns the deaths of former Louisiana Tech head women's basketball coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna. The two were killed when the single-engine plane
they were riding in during a recruiting trip crashed in central Arkansas.
Budke was hired as associate head coach at Louisiana Tech prior to the 2000-01 season, and was named just the third head coach in the history of the Lady Techster program on Aug. 23, 2002, one day after the retirement of legendary coach Leon Barmore. Budke posted an 80-16 mark while leading the Lady Techsters to three straight WAC regular-season titles, two WAC Tournament titles and three appearances in the NCAA Tournament. He was twice named WAC Coach of the Year in his three seasons as head coach.
Oklahoma State hired Budke from Louisiana Tech seven years ago and the coach
compiled a 112-83 record at the school.
Budke brought Serna with him to Oklahoma State from Louisiana Tech. She had also coached at Fresno State, Chicago State and Long Beach State. Serna played on Budke's 1996 national championship team at Trinity Valley Community College and was an assistant coach on his 1999 national championship team at the school.