Rae Rippetoe-Blair

SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head women’s basketball coach Rae Rippetoe-Blair will miss Saturday’s Southland Conference opener at McNeese State due to the death of her brother, Ron Rippetoe, on Thursday.

“We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Rae’s brother, Ron,” UTSA Athletics Director Lynn Hickey said. “We ask that everyone have Rae and her family in their thoughts and prayers and respect their privacy during this difficult time.”

Rippetoe-Blair, a native of Altus, Okla., is in her ninth season at the helm and owns a 142-107 (.570) career record with the Roadrunners. This will be the first game she has missed in her tenure. She is expected to rejoin the team prior to the league home opener against Nicholls State next Wednesday, Jan. 14.

Services are set for 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, at Craddock's Funeral Home in Ardmore, Okla.