Follow Dave Heeke on Twitter | Sign Up for the Wildcat Wednesday
A NOTE ON ARIZONA BASKETBALL
I want to begin this week's Wildcat Wednesday by reiterating my comments from Saturday that I continue to support our men's basketball program. I stand by our program, its student-athletes and Head Basketball Coach Sean Miller. This program and its proud legacy mean a great deal to our University, our community and to me. Each one of you are an important part of this legacy.
While we have had some challenges this year, there continues to be tremendous enthusiasm surrounding our program as Arizona is on pace to lead the Pac-12 Conference in attendance for a 35th consecutive season. McKale Center is a crown jewel in the world of college basketball, and it is a part of the powerful and iconic Arizona Basketball national brand. The strength of our brand, the overwhelming support from our Arizona fan base and the leadership of our program powers my confidence in the future of Arizona Basketball.
OPENING NIGHT AT HILLENBRAND STADIUM
Since announcing our Arizona Athletics Capital Campaign 18 months ago, our key construction projects have been transforming Arizona Athletics' venues. We will celebrate the grand opening of Arizona Softball's renovated Hillenbrand Memorial Softball Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. for the program's home opener versus New Mexico. Thursday will be a special and memorable night as we begin a new and dynamic chapter of the historical facility.
With the dedication of Hillenbrand Stadium and the start of another exciting season of Arizona Softball, you won't want to miss Thursday night. Get your tickets to join Coach Candrea and the Wildcats this week by clicking here.
TREVOR HOFFMAN NIGHT
Arizona Baseball officially begins the 2019 season on Friday as we will welcome back and honor Trevor Hoffman on Friday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. as the Wildcats host UMass Lowell at Hi Corbett Field. Hoffman's jersey will be recognized and the MLB Hall of Famer will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will get their own Trevor Hoffman bobble head.
Arizona Baseball is 70-20 at Hi Corbett under coach Jay Johnson with our great game day environment being a big reason why. I encourage all our fans to make it out to the diamond this season. I will see you at the ballpark on Friday night!
BEAR DOWN WITH ARIZONA FOOTBALL
We had a great night at last week's Commitment Day Celebration with Coach Sumlin and Arizona Football at the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility. A night of celebrating a new recruiting class alongside Coach Sumlin and his staff filled the Sands Club with excitement for the spring.
The program will begin spring practices next month before culminating with the Spring Game presented by Dental Pros at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 inside Arizona Stadium. The enthusiasm surrounding Arizona Football continues to grow, and now it's time to get ready to Bear Down! You can renew or purchase your 2019 season tickets today!
HILLENBRAND AQUATIC DEDICATION
It was a privilege to officially dedicate the brand new Hillenbrand Aquatic Center on Saturday for Arizona Swimming and Diving's Senior Day. Cutting the ribbon and celebrating this state-of-the-art facility alongside University President Dr. Robert Robbins, Head Coach Augie Busch and Doby Hillenbrand was an honor as we celebrated this important day for all of Arizona Athletics.
We continue to impact the lives of our student-athletes through these critical facility enhancements throughout our athletics department. With each project completed, we take another important step to ensuring the best experience for our student-athletes, coaches and fans. We are thankful for all of the support of this facility campaign. We are truly grateful for our tremendous fans and donors throughout the state of Arizona and beyond for everything they do.
KERR & AYTON
In case you missed it, the Wildcat Club hosted a truly unique meet and greet with two very special Wildcats in Phoenix. Following the Warriors-Suns game at Talking Stick Resort Arena, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr chatted with Wildcat Club members alongside Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns. Fans were able to enjoy a Q&A session with the two Arizona greats, get autographs and shoot baskets on the court. It was an awesome experience and a great way to connect with our many loyal supporters in the Phoenix area.
AARI DOES IT AGAIN
Arizona Women's Basketball's excellent 2018-19 season marches on and sophomore Aari McDonald continues her remarkable year. As one of the nation's leading scorers, the two-time Pac-12 Player of the Week added more accolades this week by being named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Watch List by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Aari is one of 10 total players, and one of only two Pac-12 players, included on the national list. She was also named to the Dawn Staley Award Watch List this week as one of the top guards in the nation.
Coach Barnes and the Wildcats are home for two pivotal games in McKale Center. Join us on Friday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m. to Bear Down!
WEATHER NOTIFICATION
Inclement weather is a part of our spring sports, and Arizona Athletics will continue to announce and communicate delays to fans as efficiently as possible. Official social media accounts are utilized to immediately announce changes while updates are also available on ArizonaWildcats.com. We encourage fans to use both social media channels and our official athletics website to stay up-to-date on weather delays.
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:
- Bear Down with us today! Join the Wildcat Club to make an impact on our student-athletes' experience.
- Buy Season Tickets
- Wear the Colors (Especially on Friday)
- Encourage Others to Do the Same
Bear Down with Pride,
Dave Heeke
Director of Athletics
University of Arizona
uofaad@arizona.edu
