JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University family mourns the loss of Warren Olden, a 1998 graduate of Union and member of the Union Sports Hall of Fame. Olden passed away Monday morning, January 8, while on duty at the Jackson City Court. He spent 30 years of faithful service with the City of Jackson Police Department.
A funeral service for Warren Olden will be held at the Civic Center in Jackson, Tennessee, Thursday, January 18 at 11 a.m.
Olden played for Union from 1990-94 where he scored a school-record 2,210 points. His record still stands today. His many school records and also helping lead his team to a national tournament appearance paved the way for his induction into the Union University Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
Olden was known as ‘Big O’ by many of his friends and teammates, but the word ‘Big’ was much more than his physical appearance.
Union’s Director of Athletics and Head Women’s Basketball Coach Mark Campbell said, “We are saddened at the news of the passing of Warren Olden. Warren was a tremendous player here at Union but he was much more than that. The ‘Big O’ as we all call him was a pillar in this community. He was strong, dependable, and a force but inside that physique he had the biggest heart. A heart for this community and a servant’s heart for people. That big smile was infectious. We are very grateful as an Athletic Department to be associated with Warren Olden. He will be missed.”
Longtime Union radio broadcaster Gerry Neese said, “I remember him and believe he was the best big guy to ever play at Union. He was a bull on the court but was also such a nice guy. I got to know him during those years. And over the years I have seen Warren numerous times in town and at games, and he was always so kind.”
Another comment came from longtime broadcaster and professor at Union, Steve Beverly, whose career crossed paths with Olden in the early 90’s. “He was known to friends as The Big O. Call him a gentle giant or a quiet knight and you would be accurate. About 15 minutes before air time Monday, I received a message that Jackson Police Sgt. Warren Olden had passed away after a massive heart attack. Needless to say, I was stunned. In 1993, my first year of calling Union University basketball on TV, Warren was piling up stats as the Bulldogs’ 6-foot-7 post player. His career ended with more than 2,200 points—-still the all-time career scoring record for Union. He was the same on and off the court just as he was in his career in law enforcement. Warren always had the biggest smile and he was never too busy to sign a basketball that a child brought to a game for him to sign. As Sgt. Olden, Warren was assigned to City Court. Our paths crossed many times over the years when I would visit the court as a journalist or with a student covering a case. He was always glad to see me and the feeling was mutual. We would find a moment to reminisce about his exploits on the basketball hardwood. I would end up asking him, “Don’t you want to see if we could find another year of eligibility for you?” He always laughed and said, “My knees couldn’t hold up.” I doubt that. Never did I dream I would begin a broadcast by reporting that Warren had outrun us to the Father’s house. Monday evening, I did. The oldest Bulldog on the court was born nine years after Warren played his final game in the same gym. None of the players knew him….but they gave him the ultimate tribute. They defeated one of the toughest teams in the Gulf South Conference. Warren Olden never sought the limelight. He just did his best in whatever role he pursued. His life was a slam dunk. To his family, his Union teammates, and his colleagues in the Jackson Police Department, we pray for comfort and emotional support in the days ahead. We will all miss him. Rest well, Big O.”
