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NEW CHAPTER OF ARIZONA FOOTBALL, NEW TICKET PRICES
 
We're entering a new chapter of Arizona football. The response to Kevin Sumlin's announcement as our head coach has been overwhelmingly positive. The program's momentum continues to build with Kevin's arrival, the start of the eastside stadium renovation, and the scheduled start of the Indoor Sports Center, combined with the level of talent we have returning for 2018. We hope to announce a few more exciting developments for our football fans in the coming months, and we'll start with one today.
 
In November, I highlighted our efforts to engage with fans in order to gather feedback on how we can improve and provide the best gameday experience possible. This includes reviewing survey results, emails, social media, and face-to-face conversations. We've spent a lot of time listening. Now, it's time to take action.
 
Our first action item is ticket prices. Ticket prices will not increase in 2018, despite moving from six home games to seven and hosting BYU, USC, Oregon and ASU. In fact, we are lowering ticket prices in several areas. We decreased prices in three levels throughout 17 sections of Arizona Stadium. Our entry-level season ticket price has been reduced from $99 to $70 ($10 a game), and our youth (ages 3-12) season ticket price has been reduced from $50 to $35 ($5 per game). We also lowered the price in our economy level (EC) from $150 to $100. We're committed to providing an affordable season ticket option for all of our fans, and we think these reductions are a step in the right direction.
 
One item we want those in the premium seating areas (skybox, loge and club) to be aware of. While there will not be a ticket-price increase in your areas, there will be an additional $30 fee per ticket to cover the buffet, snacks and beverages for that seventh home game.
 
If you'd like to review the 2018 season ticket price chart, you can do so by clicking HERE.
 
Another action item I want to address is improvements to seating comfort and stadium amenities, which have been frequently mentioned. This has been an important topic since before I arrived and improvements in those areas started five years ago with the construction of the north end zone seating area and concourse. We followed that upgrade with new seating in the stadium's east side 100 level prior to last season. Our next area of improvement is the ZonaZoo area. This process started last week and will include new restrooms, concession stands, and gathering areas in an enclosed east concourse. Our students stepped up their support with the new student fee and it is important that we reciprocate that support and make improving the student experience a priority. I do want to point out that the new east concourse will not be exclusive to students. Fans from other sections are welcome to the amenities found in this new area. Eventually, we will renovate most, if not all, of Arizona Stadium and modernize the fan experience, but it will happen in phases. To our fans on the west side, south side, and upper east, please be patient as we continue to strategize on how and when your area will be upgraded.
 
With that said, now is the time to step up and make a commitment to our program by purchasing season tickets. Football season ticket and Wildcat Club renewals (including men's basketball priority) are launching Thursday. New football season tickets will also be available. You can find more information at ArizonaWildcats.com/fb. Coach Sumlin said it at his press conference. You win with people, and we need you to be "All-In" to help us reach our goals. Thank you for your support and for being great fans of the Wildcats.
 
SIGNING DAY CELEBRATION
 
With National Signing Day right around the corner, we want to provide information on this year's Signing Day Celebration. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Sands Club at the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility. General admission tickets are available for $20 and include three drinks, appetizers, and an opportunity to hear from Coach Sumlin. Wildcat Club members and season ticket holders are eligible for discounted tickets at $10 using a promo code that was emailed from our department earlier today. Tickets for the event can be ordered by clicking HERE. Space is limited so act fast. We're looking forward to seeing you there as we celebrate our newest group of Wildcats. If you are unable to attend the event, we are working on another opportunity for you to meet Coach Sumlin, so stay tuned for more information.
 

 
HOFFMAN TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME
 
We received some great news just before finalizing this week's Wildcat Wednesday when it broke that one of our all-time greats, Trevor Hoffman, will be the first Wildcat inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. An Arizona standout in 1988 and '89, Trevor put together one of the greatest pitching resumes in the history of the game over his 18 Major League seasons. A seven-time All-Star, his 601 saves are a National League record and rank second all-time to Mariano Rivera. Trevor will be formally inducted on Sunday, July 29 in Cooperstown. If you'd like to read our complete release, you can do so by clicking HERE.
 
Congratulations Trevor. Wildcats everywhere are beaming with pride over this outstanding accomplishment.
 

 
WILDCATS AND THE SUPER BOWL
 
We want to congratulate the four Wildcats, three players and one coach, that will represent Arizona in this year's Super Bowl; Marquis Flowers and Rob Gronkowski from the New England Patriots and Dave Fipp and Nick Foles from the Philadelphia Eagles. The three players are the third most of any program across the country and the most for Arizona since the 2008 Super Bowl. This will be Rob's fourth Super Bowl, while Marquis, Nick and Dave will be making their first appearance. Including these appearances, Arizona has had 29 players make 49 appearances in the Super Bowl.
 
This must be a thrill for each of these men and we're so proud that they'll be representing the block A on such a large stage. It's a shame they can't all be Super Bowl Champions, but at least we're guaranteed that two Wildcats will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy next Sunday.
 
Congratulations on this great accomplishment and Bear Down in the Super Bowl.
 

 
THREE WILDCATS REP ARIZONA AT BLACK STUDENT-ATHLETE SUMMIT
 
Our C.A.T.S. Life Skills department was excited to send two student-athletes to the Black Student-Athlete Summit last week in Austin, Texas. Shardonee Hayes (volleyball) and Carrington Vaughn (football) represented Arizona at the event. Volleyball assistant coach Charita Stubbs also attended. Launched in 2015, the Summit offers workshops, keynote speakers, breakout sessions and other activities to discuss challenges black student-athletes face. Arizona has sent representatives the last three years and believe it has been a productive experience.
 
Carrington shared his thoughts with us on this year's summit. "This year's Black Student-Athlete Summit was a very enlightening experience," he said. "I was able to learn more about the challenges that black student-athletes face on a daily basis, while also brainstorming ways to educate others on how to bring change to our universities. I am very grateful to UA Athletics for providing me with this opportunity."
 
We're thrilled that our participants had such a positive experience, and based on their feedback, we'll look to continue sending representatives in the future.
 

 
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL BUS TRIP TO ASU
 
Come watch women's basketball take on ASU in Tempe on Friday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. There will be a bus leaving McKale at 3:30 p.m. transporting Arizona fans to and from the game for only $20. Use the promo code WILDCATS to receive the $20 package, which includes transportation to and from Tempe, food and a general admission ticket to the game. To reserve your seat or for more information visit bvtravel.com/wildcat-basketball or call (520) 797-CATS.
 
GYMCATS HOST UTAH ON FRIDAY
 
Gymnastics is back in action on Friday, Jan. 26 as we host No. 2 Utah at 6:30 p.m. in McKale. We had a great crowd last Saturday, and it helped our gymnasts produce a season-high score, so let's do it again this Friday. To purchase tickets, click HERE or call (520) 621-CATS.
 
BASEBALL ALUMNI GAME
 
Baseball is hosting an Alumni Game on Saturday, Jan. 27 at Hi Corbett Field. Help us welcome back several letter winners as the game is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. with gates opening at 9 a.m. Admission is free to the public. For more information, click HERE.
 
ARIZONA NUGGETS
 
Kat Wright from Women's Basketball has been chosen to take part in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's 16th annual 'So You Want To Be a Coach' program. Participants have the chance to take part in a three-day workshop in conjunction with the WBCA Convention … Baseball's Alfonso Rivas was named second-team Preseason All-America by D1Baseball on Tuesday. One of the best hitters in the country, Rivas hit .371 with 63 RBI last season as a sophomore … Track & Field's Claire Green posted the nation's second-fastest time in the mile last weekend when she won the event with a facility and meet record of 4:39.74, while Carlos Villarreal notched the nation's seventh-fastest mile time at 4:02.79 … No. 21 Gymnastics posted a season-high score of 195.750, when they hosted No. 4 UCLA last Saturday … Volleyball signee Whittnee Nihipali was named the Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year … Softball had three Wildcats selected to compete for USA Softball this summer. Danielle O'Toole was named to the World Championship roster, while Mo Mercado and sophomore Dejah Mulipola were selected to the Japan All-Star Series roster … Men's Tennis got off to a 3-1 start to their season behind an impressive 2-0 opening for Carlos Hassey in singles matches versus Oklahoma and Abilene Christian.


UPCOMING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
 
To view the list of upcoming events, broadcast information, start times and stat links, click HERE. (Note: All times are listed as Mountain Standard Time, i.e. Tucson time.)
 
To access live stats from your desktop or mobile device, visit ArizonaLiveStats.com.
 
WEAR THE COLORS – SHARE THE PHOTOS
 
Thank you for wearing the colors and sharing your Arizona pride! If your photo submission did not make this week's edition of the Wildcat Wednesday, please check our "Wear the Colors" album at facebook.com/ArizonaAthletics on Fridays.
 
NOTE: Please submit photos for Wildcat Wednesday with an original email to uofaad@arizona.edu using the subject line 'Wildcat Wednesday photo.' Also, please ensure all submissions are clear and properly lit. We also ask that you identify everyone in the photo so we can highlight them accordingly.
 
 
 
 
 
Continue to do what you can to help Arizona Athletics and: 

1. Accept the Bear Down Challenge
2. Buy Season Tickets
3. Wear the Colors (Especially on Friday)
4. Encourage Others to Do the Same

 
Bear Down with Pride,

Dave Heeke
Director of Athletics
University of Arizona
uofaad@arizona.edu