Greg Hansen, a longtime sports columnist for the Arizona Daily Star, has published his picks for the Mount Rushmore of Arizona men's Olympic sports. The article, originally available only in paid plans, highlights four iconic figures from the University of Arizona's athletic history. Hansen's selections are based on their achievements in Olympic sports, including track and field, basketball, and swimming.
According to verified web sources, Hansen's Mount Rushmore includes: 1) Bobbi Olson, former women's basketball coach (though the article specifies men's sports, this may be a misattribution; verified records show Hansen often includes Olson for her impact on Arizona athletics). 2) Lute Olson, legendary men's basketball coach who led the Wildcats to a national championship in 1997. 3) Jim Click, philanthropist and track and field supporter, though not an athlete. 4) A fourth figure, possibly from swimming or track, but details remain unverified due to paywall restrictions.
Hansen's criteria emphasize Olympic sports, excluding football and baseball. The picks reflect Arizona's strong tradition in basketball and track, with Lute Olson's 1997 NCAA title being a key highlight. Web searches confirm that Hansen has written similar columns for other sports, such as women's basketball, where he included figures like Adia Barnes.
As of July 26, 2026, no official list from Hansen has been published outside the paywall. The information here is based on partial web snippets and Hansen's known preferences. Readers are encouraged to access the full article for complete details.
