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REPRESENTING THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
I was proud to represent the University of Arizona at the recent NCAA meetings in Orlando where key issues and discussions took place that shape the future of college athletics. I also attended the Pac-12 council meetings that run in conjunction with the NCAA convention each year. Some of the topics discussed and voted on were additions to the NCAA Board of Governors, multiple-team events for men's and women's basketball, recruiting calendars and new legislation specifically centered around mental health services for student-athletes.
The addition of five independent leaders, from outside higher education, to join the NCAA Board of Governors is an important and essential enhancement for the NCAA's highest-ranking governance body. This change will bring a diversity of experience and unique perspectives into the decision-making process of the association.
I believe national meetings and conference meetings are a critical part of serving this university. The strategic priorities of college athletics are shaped here, and I want to ensure the University of Arizona has a seat at the table during these important conversations. It's an honor to represent Arizona, the Pac-12 Conference and all of our loyal supporters at the forefront of our future. I look forward to updating all of you on important issues in the national conversation in my Wildcat Wednesday emails.
FOOTBALL SEASON TICKET RENEWAL
National Signing Day is known as a day of commitment, and Arizona Athletics is asking fans to do the same with the launch of the 2019-20 renewal campaign. Renewals for football season tickets and Wildcat Club membership (including men's basketball priority seating) are now available, as are new season ticket sales to the general public. Get your Arizona Football season tickets today!
Football season ticket prices remain the same for next season with season tickets starting as low as $70 for adults and $35 for kids (ages 3 to 12). The 2019 home football schedule is highlighted by a visit from Texas Tech (Sept. 14), the first non-conference home game versus a Power-5 opponent since the 2012 season. Other home games of note include conference showdowns against UCLA (Sept. 28), Washington (Oct. 12) and Utah (Nov. 23).
For returning season ticket holders, renewals are due by May 1. However, there are several incentives to renew your tickets by Feb. 28, including waiving the $10 order fee and a 10% off coupon for BearDownShop.com.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, I want to highlight some of the important figures in Arizona Athletics history such as Hadie Redd who was the University of Arizona's first African-American letter winner in baseball and basketball. Gayle Hopkins was Arizona's first national champion in any sport as a member of Arizona Track and Field in 1964. Track and Field star Tanya Hughes dominated the high jump as a four-time NCAA champion before representing the United States in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
You can read about these amazing Wildcats and their impact as Arizona student-athletes as well as hear from current student-athletes on the importance of Black History Month. Visit the Black History Month page of our website for all of this special history and content.
HILLENBRAND AQUATIC DEDICATION
After moving into our newly-renovated Hillenbrand Aquatic Center in January, we are ready to officially dedicate this beautiful facility. This momentous celebration will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 with a dedication ceremony before a special Senior Day for both our men's and women's programs versus Arizona State at 12 p.m. Join us on Saturday morning as we honor our brand new, state-of-the-art facility and for some exciting action in the pool. Admission for all meets at the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center is free.
SOFTBALL BEGINS THE SEASON
Coach Candrea and Arizona Softball officially open the 2019 season this weekend in the USF Opening Weekend Invitational in Tampa, Fla. The Wildcats will play five games at USF before returning home for their ceremonial return to the brand new Rita Hillenbrand Softball Stadium.
Good luck to our softball program in Florida and Bear Down! The season opener is Friday, Feb. 8 at 12:30 p.m. (MST) versus Michigan. Visit www.ArizonaWildcats.com for all your game day information and to follow along with the action all season.
MEET AND GREET WITH ARIZONA BASEBALL
Arizona Baseball is hosting their annual Meet the Team event at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 at Hi Corbett Field ahead of next week's season opener. Gates will open at 5 p.m. on Friday. This is a great opportunity to meet the student-athletes and coaches, watch an intrasquad scrimmage and get your favorite Wildcats' autograph.
Tickets for Meet the Team night are just $5 with free admission for children under the age of 12 and season ticket holders. You can purchase your tickets ahead of time here.
HALL OF CHAMPIONS TOURS
The University of Arizona and Arizona Athletics is proud to offer tours of our athletic facilities. Go behind the scenes to see where our Wildcats practice and play. Tours include stops at Arizona Stadium, McKale Memorial Center, Hillenbrand Aquatics Center, Ginny L. Clements Academic Center, the Jim Click Hall of Champions and much more. We offer weekly tours to the public on Fridays at 2 p.m. (MST) and to groups by request. Come take a tour and experience first-hand the facilities, the tradition, and the heritage of Arizona Athletics! Visit www.arizonawildcats.com/outreach for more information on our tours.
GYMCATS AT HOME
Friday's Arizona Gymnastics meet at 7 p.m. will be special as the program is having its Think Pink Meet while also celebrating Women in Sports. The GymCats will honor breast cancer survivors at the meet with the first 500 fans receiving a free pink t-shirt. The program will also honor Women in Sports with special videos from the team as well as a Q&A session with Arizona Gymnastics student-athletes after the meet about inspiring the next generation of women in sports. Arizona hosts 11th ranked Oregon State at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 on what will be a memorable night in McKale Center. You can get your tickets for Friday night here.
WOMEN'S TENNIS WIN STREAK
Congratulations to Coach Stotland and Arizona Women's Tennis on opening 2019 with three consecutive wins following an exhibition win over Team Japan. The Wildcats defeated Memphis, Northern Arizona and New Mexico State by a combined score of 17 to 3 last week. It's been exciting action at the Robson Tennis Center. Best of luck to the team as they hit the road in February and Bear Down!
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
