Sean Elliott celebrated Senior Day in 1989 with his parents Odiemae and Robert (YouTube still - click on the picture to view video)

Some of the more memorable mothers of Arizona athletes that come to mind as we celebrate Mother’s Day 2012 …

Odiemae Elliott — You can tell where her son Sean Elliott — the best player to wear an Arizona uniform — got his classy ways. When interviewed on TV during Sean’s career at Arizona, Odiemae always appeared firm in her ways, yet also loving and caring — the ideal mother. In a 1999 column, after Sean’s brother Noel donated a kidney to essentially save the UA basketball legend’s life, former Tucson Citizen sports columnist Corky Simpson hit it on the head: “Sean has been a champion all along. He came by his fortitude and integrity honestly; Odiemae Elliott, his devoted mother, brought this guy up right.”

Judith Blair — The mother of former UA hoops player Joseph Blair also made an incredible sacrifice — donating a kidney to save the life of Dr. Michael Burgoon, a UA professor, in 2001. Moreover, Judith had just a casual acquaintance with Burgoon, a communications professor who served as an academic counselor to UA recruits. She found out about his deteriorating health after battling the kidney and lupus disease for 21 years while talking to Burgoon’s wife at halftime of a UA basketball game. Judith offered a kidney on the spot. “God had once restored something to me, and I thought it was only right to restore something to Michael,” Judith told Simpson in a 2002 column. She was in the midst of stellar performances in the Senior Olympics in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter runs. She continued to compete after the transplant. Her giving ways has made an impact on Joseph’s life. He is very active with charity events in the Tucson community as the executive director of the Blair Charity Group.

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Former Xavier guard Mark Lyons is shown here going against former Duquesne guard T.J. McConnell last season. Both will be practicing against each other at Arizona next season (US Presswire photo/Frank Victores)

During Lute Olson’s golden years at Arizona, the bench players — especially those high in the rotation — could start for most Pac-10 teams.

That was as much a key to Olson’s success with the Wildcats as was his X’s and O’s and recruiting ability. Mike Bibby practicing daily against backup Jason Terry, for example, was an important element for Arizona in its championship run of 1996-97. Bibby and Terry — both veteran NBA players now — were adequately prepared for any challenge they faced that season.

The verbal commitment of former Xavier point guard Mark Lyons to Arizona on Sunday means that coach Sean Miller will experience something similar to what Olson had with Bibby and Terry. Lyons vs. former Atlantic 10 rival T.J. McConnell, a transfer from Duquesne who must sit next season per NCAA transfer rules, is Miller’s version of prolific scoring point guard Damon Stoudamire working against defensive-minded backup Reggie Geary during the 1992-93 season.

McConnell, a sophomore this season, and Lyons, a junior, were All-Atlantic 10 third-team selections. McConnell was selected to the conference’s All-Defensive team. Lyons is also a solid defender, but he prides himself on his playmaking and scoring ability. He averaged 15.1 points a game for the Musketeers. He also led Xavier in three-point shooting percentage (39.2) and attempts from beyond the arc (148, making a team-high 58).

Lyons will be immediately eligible for his senior season with the Wildcats because he is expected to fulfill his undergraduate requirements at Xavier this semester. He will enroll this summer in a master’s program at Arizona that Xavier does not offer. Although McConnell is unable to play in 2012-13, he is allowed to practice. That is a significant bonus for Miller and his coaching staff.

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More about Junior Seau with an Arizona angle: Read another blog by Javier Morales at his Web site WILDABOUTAZCATS.NET — Seau’s dominance against Arizona in 1989 one of best performances by an opponent against the Wildcats

Junior Seau (55) and Tedy Bruschi (54) listen to New England coach Bill Belichick during a game in the 2007 season, when the Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season (YouTube video still - click on picture to access video)

Tedy Bruschi’s voice is usually excitable, but when an ESPN SportsCenter anchor asked him Wednesday for his reaction to the death of former teammate Junior Seau, Bruschi’s voice was a few notches below the norm.

“I’m just sad, very sad,” said Bruschi, the former Arizona standout who won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.

Seau, who died Wednesday at age 43 from an apparent suicide, joined the Patriots in 2006 and played three years with Bruschi and the New England linebacker corps.

“I grew up watching him play,” Bruschi said in the ESPN interview, his voice returning to its usual gusto. “I loved to watch him play. And then in 2006, he became my teammate. I spent a lot of time with him.

“We won a lot of games in 2007 for Junior (when New England went 16-0 in the regular season but lost in the Super Bowl to the New York Giants). We wanted to win the Super Bowl for Junior. I loved him so much. It didn’t take long for people to love Junior.”

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