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THE SUMLIN ERA STARTS NOW
 
Welcome back to Wildcat Wednesday and what an exciting way to start 2018. As President Robbins said, yesterday was a great day in the history of Arizona football with the announcement of our new head coach Kevin Sumlin. With the help of so many, we executed a thorough and exhaustive search that included a number of candidates. I don't think you'll be surprised to know that there was a lot of interest in our position from coaches across the country, which I believe shows what people think of the potential in our program.
 
Among a number of qualities we were looking for in our next head coach, we focused on finding someone with integrity and character who fits with who we are and who we want to be. We also wanted a coach that would reinvigorate the fan base, while injecting a high level of energy into the program. As we moved through the process, it became clear that Coach Sumlin, with his combination of success on and off the field, was the right person, at the right time, to lead us into our next chapter.
 
We were also excited to see so many of our former players at the press conference yesterday. I'm looking forward to getting to know as many of you as possible and I know Coach Sumlin feels they are an essential part of what will help take our program to the next level. That will be really important to us moving forward.
 
With Coach Sumlin's arrival, we have a chance to build on the rich tradition of this program. It's imperative that our lettermen, alumni, students, Wildcat Club members, the communities around the state, and anyone with a vested interest in our success come together with one common purpose; to support this program as we strive to win championships.
 
The positive response to this announcement has been overwhelming, and there is a buzz around the program. Let's keep that buzz going by making sure Arizona Stadium is rocking this fall. Season ticket deposits for the 2018 season are available now for just $75 per seat. Renewals and new football season ticket sales will begin on Thursday, Jan. 25. You can place a deposit by clicking HERE and remember to bookmark ArizonaWildcats.com/FB, your source for football ticket info.
 
The Sumlin era starts now. The future is certainly bright and we hope you'll be there with us as we start this journey.
 
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TO HOST UNITY GAME ON FRIDAY
 
As a part of our continuing partnership with RISE (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality), the athletics department would like to invite you to our UNITY GAME this Friday, Jan. 19, when we take on Colorado. The first 650 fans will receive a UNITY t-shirt and we encourage all fans to wear blue to help us promote racial equality and support positive social change throughout the game.
 
We believe sports brings people together and can play a big role in advancing social justice issues, while increasing conversations around these important topics, particularly race relations. We're hoping for a huge turnout at the game. It will be aired on Pac-12 Networks and we want to show everyone that Arizona Athletics is committed to understanding, respect and equality.
 
Coach Barnes and the team will wrap up the weekend against Utah on Sunday, Jan. 21 at noon. Join us before the game for a pregame chalk talk in the Jim Click Hall of Champions beginning at 10:45 a.m. The first 800 fans inside the game will receive an Arizona basketball dominoes set, and following the game, the team will sign autographs. For tickets or more information, click HERE or call (520) 621-CATS.
 

 
CONGRATULATIONS TO ANDY LOPEZ
 
Congratulations are in order for former head baseball coach Andy Lopez. Andy was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Jan. 5. It was unfortunate timing, as I know Coach Lopez was disappointed that he couldn't attend the memorial service for Jerry Kindall. Coincidentally, Andy joined Coach Kindall, along with "Pop" McKale and Frank Sancet, as Arizona baseball coaches inducted into this elite fraternity.
 
In 33 years as a collegiate head coach, Andy became one of the winningest NCAA Div. I coaches of all time, amassing a record of 1,177-742-7 (.613). A two-time ABCA/Diamond National Coach of the Year, he is one of only two Division I head coaches to win a national title at two schools (Arizona and Pepperdine). Andy is also one of only three coaches to lead three different schools (Pepperdine, Florida and Arizona) to the College World Series and one of just four coaches to take two schools to Omaha on multiple occasions (Arizona, Florida).
 
Andy spent the final 14 seasons of his career (2002-15) at the helm of Arizona's program, where he won 490 games and made the NCAA Tournament eight times. He guided the Wildcats to College World Series appearances in 2004 and 2012. In 2012, he led Arizona to its fourth National Championship. The Pac-12 Coach of the Year that season, he also was named National Coach of the Year by Collegiate Baseball and the American Baseball Coaches Association.
 
Congratulations on this wonderful honor, Andy.
 

 
GYMCATS HOST UCLA
 
Gymnastics is back in action on Saturday, Jan. 20 as we take on No. 4 UCLA at 4 p.m. in McKale. The first 500 fans will receive a free Arizona Gymnastics Hand Banner. To purchase tickets, click HERE or call (520) 621-CATS.
 
WILDCAT TOAST & TASTE – TOUCHDOWN WITH TOMEY
 
The Wildcat Toast & Taste, hosted by the East Valley Alumni Chapter and Phoenix Young Alumni, is the signature fundraising event dedicated to honoring an individual who has had a significant influence on the Wildcat experience. Proceeds benefit the chapters' scholarship funds, which have awarded more than $55,000 to deserving Maricopa County East Valley area high school graduates, who have attended Arizona since 2014.
 
The 2018 event, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix-Tempe, will honor former Arizona head football coach Dicky Tomey, who coached the Wildcats for 13 seasons.
 
For more information, including ticket options, click HERE.
 
CATS IN THE COMMUNITY
 
Our student-athletes finished the fall semester strong. Despite the month of December being a busy time, many of our student-athletes took a break to help those in need.
 
The GymCats volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona Walk for Kids that took place on the UA Mall. They helped by cleaning up campus after the event took place. They also have been busy painting ceramics to help spread kindness with Ben's Bells.
 
Members of the baseball team paired up with the Jessie Rees Foundation at Diamond Children's Medical Center. The group of student-athletes, led by Travis Moniot, helped pass out JoyJars to pediatric patients. The jars are filled to the brim with age and gender appropriate toys, games and activities to help spread some joy to those in the hospital.
 

 
Our track and field team was busy volunteering at a local Boys and Girls Clubhouse during the fall. They helped club members with schoolwork, while playing games with them during down time.
 

 
Many of our student-athletes are also volunteering time by writing pen pal letters to elementary and middle schools. This program helps K-8 students connect with an older, positive role model while improving their reading and writing skills. This is also a great experience to promote fitness, emphasize the importance of academic success, and help students create goals of higher education. If you are interested in pairing your classroom with a student-athlete, please fill out and submit the online form linked HERE.
 
We will be hosting a second CATS Give Back Week in February and we encourage 100% team participation in community service. If you have a volunteer opportunity or speaking engagement you would like a student-athlete or a member of our staff to be a part of, you can submit an online request form by visiting ArizonaWildcats.com/Outreach.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Natasha Harrison in the Office of Community Relations at (520) 621-2331. 

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