GRADUATION SUCCESS RATES CONTINUE TO TREND UP
The NCAA released Graduation Success Rates (GSR) last week, and we're excited to let you know that our numbers continue to improve. Our overall GSR is at 84%, which is an 11% jump over the last five years and the highest percentage in Arizona history. The 2017 GSR measures how many student-athletes in the classes of 2007 through 2010 graduated within six years of their enrollment.
Our number ranks in the middle of the Pac-12, but we're only 4 percentage points away from the third position, which is held by Colorado. Fortunately, our projections indicate that our GSR percentage will increase another 3% to 87% next year, so we continue to be headed in the right direction.
A couple of quick notes I think you'll be interested in. We had six programs, men's basketball, women's golf, gymnastics, softball, men's tennis, and women's track and field/xc, post a perfect 100%. Our men's basketball program has improved by 36% over the last five years to earn their perfect score. The football program is up 14% over the last five years to 74% and we're working diligently to continue to increase that number. Overall, 12 of our 16 programs (indoor and outdoor track and field/cross country are combined) either maintained or improved their GSR from the previous year.
Our student-athletes continue to do an excellent job in the classroom, and when combined with the efforts of our C.A.T.S. Academics staff, we continue to make significant progress in that area. Obviously, academic success is a vital part of our 'Culture of Excellence' and we're excited to see those numbers continue to rise in the future.
UNDERSTANDING OUR IDENTITIES
Our partnership with the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) had them back on campus earlier this week to do a training with our student-athletes. The session was titled Understanding our Identities and student-athletes explored how identities are constructed, which ones are most central to us and why, the challenges that can come with being identified or labeled in particular ways, and how diversity can be valued. Our young men and women in attendance shared personal experiences, engaged in thoughtful discussion, and walked away with new insights and perspectives. The session was very productive and it sounds like our student-athletes got a lot out of it, so thanks to RISE for this continued partnership.
Speaking of RISE, mark your calendars for Jan. 19, when we will host a UNITY GAME. This will occur at the women's basketball game against Colorado. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting event.
SOCCER ADVANCES IN NCAA TOURNAMENT
Our soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after a thrilling victory over TCU in the first round. Despite going down 1-0 in the first half, we stormed back late in the second half with goals from Samantha Falasco in the 74th minute and Cali Crisler in the 80th minute. I want to thank everyone that came out to support our ladies. It was a fun atmosphere and I think the energy really helped our team as it got later into the match.
Now, we'll head to Palo Alto to face Florida St. in what is sure to be a tough match. The match is scheduled for Friday at 5:30 p.m. MST and you can watch a live stream on Stanford's Facebook page by clicking HERE. If we're fortunate enough to win that one, we'll move on to play the winner of Stanford-Auburn on Sunday at 2 p.m. MST.
Congratulations on advancing and good luck on Friday.
LOCK IN YOUR FOOTBALL SEATS FOR 2018
Thank you to all of our fans who made it to Arizona Stadium this season. You were loud, boisterous, and provided a great environment for our team. There has been a lot of attention on attendance and the fans who haven't been there, but I want to make sure I recognize those who supported us at as many home games as possible this fall.
We still have a lot of football to play, but we're already at work on how to improve the gameday experience in 2018. Surveys have been sent to 2017 ticket buyers. We also have a survey intended for those who have previously attended but didn't buy a ticket this year. If you're in this category, please click HERE to take this short survey to provide some feedback.
In the meantime, we are taking deposits for 2018 football season tickets. Deposits are $75 each and will be applied to the overall cost of your season tickets. Current season ticket holders can place a deposit to apply towards your renewal. Click HERE for more info or to place a deposit. I'm looking forward to seeing Wildcat Nation rally and fill the stadium for every home game next year.
BOWL BOUND
For the fifth time in the last six seasons, our football program will end their season in a bowl game. Congratulations to Coach Rodriguez, the staff, the team, and especially the seniors. There are a lot of pundits out there with bowl-game projections. While those are fun to look at, the reality is we won't have a clear idea on where we are headed until the final weekend of the season. The official announcement will come on Dec. 3. Current season ticket holders and Wildcat Club members can request tickets for Pac-12 affiliated bowls. Check out ArizonaWildcats.com/bowlgame for more information.
MEN'S BASKETBALL TICKETS AVAILABLE
Men's basketball is off to a great start. This is the first time the Wildcats opened the season with back-to-back 100-point games since the 2002-03 season. Our next game is Thursday vs. CSU Bakersfield. A limited number of tickets are still available. We're still selling the three-game Holiday Pack, which includes games against North Dakota State, UConn, and ASU. Click HERE to purchase men's basketball tickets or call (520) 621-CATS.
REVERSE CAT CRUISER TO PHOENIX FOR ARIZONA BASKETBALL
Our friends at Bon Voyage Travel have arranged for a 'reverse' Cat Cruiser for the Valley of the Sun Shootout game against Texas A&M on Dec. 5. The Cat Cruiser will take you from Tucson to Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix and back. The cost is $70 per person and space is limited. You'll need to secure your tickets for the game as well by clicking HERE. You can reserve your spot on the Cat Cruiser and get more information by clicking HERE.
BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL RENEWAL DEADLINE
A quick reminder that the renewal deadline for both baseball and softball season tickets is this Friday, Nov. 17. Both programs are coming off great seasons and have high expectations for 2018. It should be a fun year for both teams. Please remember, if you don't renew your season tickets by 5 p.m. MST on Friday, your seats will be released. This includes the reserved seats. There is a high demand for those reserved seats, so if you miss the deadline, you will risk losing them. Click HERE to login to your account, renew, and lock in your seats for 2018. Thanks to all of you that already have.
TWITTER GIVEAWAY
Congrats to @MarcDembowski for being selected as this month's winner of the Wildcat Wednesday Twitter Giveaway. A member of the athletics department staff will DM you with more information on how to secure your prize so make sure you're following @AZAthletics.
Once a month, we'll provide a phrase accompanied by the twitter handle @Dave_Heeke and the hashtag #HeekeTwitterGiveaway for Wildcat Wednesday subscribers to tweet. We'll select the winner at random and announce in a Wildcat Wednesday the following month.
Here is this month's Twitter giveaway message:
Congratulations to our new Wildcats who signed NLIs last week. Welcome to the family.
@Dave_Heeke #HeekeTwitterGiveaway
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:
- Accept the Bear Down Challenge
- Buy Season Tickets
- Wear the Colors (Especially on Friday)
- Get Others to Do the Same
Bear Down with Pride,
Dave Heeke
Director of Athletics
University of Arizona
uofaad@arizona.edu