Former Raytown coach to send Maurice Mitchell's parents to London

RAYTOWN, Mo. - Former Raytown coach Bud Lathrop is raising money to send the parents of Olympic qualifier Maurice Mitchell to London.

"Any parent deserves to watch their son run in the Olympics," Lathrop said.

But the travel expenses for Mitchell's parents Mike and Rose are out of their budget, so Lathrop has taken it upon himself to fund the parents' trip.

A week ago, the 45-year Raytown South basketball coach started calling his former athletes.

"I just got a phone call (Wednesday) from a young man that was a manager (on the) '73 team,"  Lathrop said.  "He sent $100."

To cover both flights, Lathrop wants to raise at least $2,000.  Right now, he's halfway there and already has a plan if he comes up short.

"I'll take some money out of my bank," Lathrop said.  "I've already had guys tell me, 'if you're short, coach, call.'"

Mitchell's parents couldn't be more grateful for his efforts.

"It's just heartfelt when you think about the kind of heart that people like Bud Lathrop has and his wife," Mike Mitchell said.  "You expect people to be congratulatory.  You expect people to wish you well, but a lot of times you don't think people will go the extra mile."

Donations are being excepted at the First Federal Bank of Raytown.