A proof statement of Southern Arizona's passion for Arizona Athletics resides in the loyal backing of the donors, alumni and fans who live "The Wildcat Way". The Wildcat Club, and its thousands of members, support the athletic department and Arizona student-athletes through powerful generosity that helps build academic, athletic and life champions. The everlasting impact of that generosity has taken Arizona Athletics' fundraising to new heights.

With nearly $100 million raised over the last three years, Arizona has surpassed its fundraising goals in each of those three years. This ascension was capped by $35 million raised in the 2019 fiscal year through philanthropic gifts and ticket priority, which was one of the top three fundraising years in department history.

"The unwavering support of all of our programs from this special community is what drives our widespread success," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Heeke. "Southern Arizona is passionate about this flagship university and its athletics department. You see that red and blue passion at the airport, around town and in the stands at all of our teams' home games. The depth of support from fundraising, season tickets and philanthropic gifts help elevate our student-athlete and fan experiences to a first-class level."

Transformative seven-figure and eight-figure gifts towards facilities over the last seven years have reshaped campus and helped build a foundation for Arizona Athletics to continue to fulfill its commitment to its student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni and fans. The everlasting generosity has come in the forms of the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility, Louis "Buzz" Sands Club, McKale Center enhancements, Ginny L. Clements Academic Center, Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center as well as a powerful anonymous gift that kicked off Arizona's five strategic construction projects of its $67 million campaign in 2018.

"The record-setting fundraising efforts by our athletics department has been a catalyst to enhancing all aspects of the Arizona student-athlete experience," noted Executive Senior Associate A.D. Erika Barnes. "Our capital campaign fundraising has made a tremendous impact which enabled us to build and renovate our academic services, competition, and strength and conditioning facilities. At the same time, these key improvements in our venues has greatly improved our student-athlete and fan experiences."

Barnes, a member of Arizona Softball's 2001 national championship team, has seen firsthand an increase in overlap giving by loyal supporters to both athletics and the university, including the UA Foundation and the Wildcat Club.

"We've seen consistent giving to our campus partners as well as the athletics department throughout our Wildcat Club membership, which truly speaks to what the University of Arizona and Arizona Athletics represent in our community," Barnes continued. "Fundraising is a critical shared component between the University of Arizona's and Arizona Athletics' strategic plans. Driving the continued success of all students on campus through development and fundraising is one of the many aligned initiatives of the University and athletics. It is essential to living the Wildcat Way through a top-notch experience of student-athletes."

As Arizona Athletics continues its quest to be one of the top athletic departments in the nation, it does so with the power of an entire community behind it. The Tucson metropolitan area is as diverse and unique as it is rich in history and culture as the home to nearly a million Arizonans. Southern Arizona doesn't have a professional franchise, but it does have a favorite team and passion. That is the University of Arizona and its Wildcats. That passion is easy to see in the stands of the department's storied venues. McKale Center is a crown jewel in college basketball, and Arizona men's basketball has led the Pac-12 Conference in attendance for 35 consecutive seasons. The women's program won the 2019 WNIT as the community rallied around the program, culminating in a sellout crowd of 14,644 in McKale Center. The 14,644 fans set a program and a Pac-12 record for the largest crowd for a women's basketball game.

Arizona Softball, a nationally-renown program, has an on-campus facility that has become one of the hottest tickets in Tucson. Hillenbrand Stadium was built in 1993 as one of the first softball-only facilities in the country. Renovated for $10 million prior to the 2019 season, Arizona would sell out 19 games at a capacity of 2,639 on its way to its 23^rd Women's College World Series appearance in program history.

The profound generosity of Southern Arizona has been a crucial part of the unparalleled successes of both the University of Arizona and Arizona Athletics. The thousands of supporters who get behind the Block A have helped make an institution and an athletic department stand out nationally. You can see that every day in the landmark buildings throughout campus, filled stands at all Wildcat home games and the outpouring of support of the many who "Bear Down"