Public memorial service for Flip Saunders will be later this year
Timberwolves team president and coach Flip Saunders will be laid to rest this weekend in a private memorial service in the Twin Cities area.
The team announced a public memorial celebration of his life will be scheduled for sometime later this year – but details of that have not been finalized.
Saunders died Sunday from complications due to Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was 60 years old.
The Timberwolves will honor Saunders during their home opener against Portland Monday with a ceremony and the unveiling of the team's new "Flip" patch.
Letter to St. Cloud State released
Since Saunders died it's been said that he touched a lot of lives in Minnesota through basketball. A lesser-known example of that goes back to 1984, when Saunders was an assistant at the University of Minnesota, and he was nearly hired as the head coach at St. Cloud State.
While Saunders didn't get the job, St. Cloud State released letters that he exchanged with then-SCSU president Dr. Brendan McDonald – thanking him for the opportunity to visit with him about the job.
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KG speaks
One of those Saunders impacted the most is Timberwolves icon Kevin Garnett. Garnett, who is in his second stint with the team, made his first public comments since Saunders' death Friday.
"We are all carrying each other and holding each other up throughout the week," Garnett sad. "Tough week for all of us, but we're managing."
Star Tribune beat writer Jerry Zgoda has more on what Garnett had to say Friday after walk through.
Flip Saunders Legacy Fund
Because of the private nature of the service, the family is requesting that in lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, those wishing to express condolences send contributions in Memory of Flip Saunders to:
The Flip Saunders Legacy Fund
P.O. Box 46410
Plymouth, MN 55446
The family says the fund will be devoted to aiding and supporting deserving individuals or groups and to continue the positive impact of the life of Coach Flip Saunders.
