Former TVCC coach, player die in plane crash | News

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP/KLTV) - Oklahoma State University says women's basketball coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna were killed in a plane crash in central Arkansas.

The university says the plane's pilot and another passenger also died in the crash. Their names were not released and OSU said they were not associated with the university.The university said in a news release Friday that the two were on a recruiting trip to Arkansas when the plane crashed near Perryville, about 45 miles west of Little Rock.

Budke also coached at Trinity Valley Community College in the 90's and compiled 226 wins against just 16 losses while leading the Lady Cardinals to four national championships and two national runner-up finishes in seven seasons.  

In addition, he was the youngest coach to ever be inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame.

Miranda Serna played at TVCC in 1996, helping lead the Lady Cardinals to a 32-4 record and the NJCAA national title that year and she also coached under Budke at TVCC in 1997.

Ten men associated with the OSU men's basketball team died in a plane crash in Colorado in January 2001.

Statement from Trinity Valley Community College President, Dr. Glendon Forgey on the passing of Kurt Budke and Miranda Serna:

"Coach Budke was an amazing coach and an exemplary man. Our prayers go out to the families of Coach Budke and Miranda Serna today as they cope with this devastating news.

"Kurt was a great friend to Trinity Valley Community College. He put the Lady Cardinals on the national map, leading the team to its first national championships. Through his great skill as a coach and his ability to have a profound effect on the lives of his players, he built the reputation that the TVCC Lady Cardinal Basketball still stands on today.

"Even after leaving Athens, he remained a friend of this institution and this community. He will be missed beyond measure."

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