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WELCOME BACK

As summer winds down, we are ready to kick off another exciting year for all of our programs. This is one of my favorite times of the year as we look ahead to all of our outstanding student-athletes and coaches competing and representing the University of Arizona at the highest levels. Our football, soccer, volleyball and cross country teams will all officially start their seasons this month.

Coach Sumlin and Arizona Football will begin the year earlier than usual with their opener at Hawai'i on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m. (MST) on the CBS Sports Network. It's a special game as the teams will be honoring Coach Tomey who meant so much to both programs, universities and communities.

Next week's game is the kickoff to the college football season as we #BackTheA here in Southern Arizona. The dynamic energy of game days will create an electric atmosphere on the campus of the University of Arizona on Saturdays. It's time to Bear Down, Back the A and get your season tickets now.

PAN AMERICAN MEDALS

Former and current student-athletes from three of our programs were front and center under the bright lights of international competition at the Pan American Games in Peru this month. These special Wildcats took home 17 medals in track and field, swimming and diving and softball, which includes seven gold medals.



Achieving greatness at the highest levels of competition is one of the special accomplishments in a student-athlete's career. Congratulations to all of these decorated Wildcats for being tremendous representatives of the Block A on such a big stage.

IT'S SOCCER SEASON



Arizona Soccer, fresh off another banner season under Coach Amato, officially begins the season on Thursday, Aug. 22 versus Long Beach State at 6:30 p.m. (MST) at Mulcahy Stadium. The team has been hard at work during training camp, and we are all eager to see this program continue to build on its tremendous legacy. Experience yourself by purchasing your season tickets here.

HALL OF FAME WILDCATS

The 2019 class of distinguished Wildcats of the University of Arizona Athletics Hall of Fame will be officially inducted on Thursday, Sept. 5 at the Westin La Paloma. Joan Bonvicini (Women's Basketball), Antoine Cason (Football), May Mickelsen (Rifle), Stephen Mikulic (Baseball), Taryne Mowatt (Softball), Dan Schneider (Baseball) and Alison Walshe (Women's Golf) will all be honored as they receive this prestigious distinction. You can be a part of this special night as tickets are available.

VOLLEYBALL IN MCKALE

Before its 2019 season opener on Friday, Aug. 30, Arizona Volleyball will host its annual Red-Blue Match inside McKale Center on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 2 p.m. (MST). Arizona enters the season ranked No. 24 in the country and returns 11 players from its NCAA Tournament team a year ago.



Come out and support the Wildcats, with free admission, on Aug. 24 before making it home to catch Arizona Football on television at 7:30 p.m. that night. It will be the first action of another exciting volleyball season, and we hope to see you in McKale Center all season long.

WILDCATS ON THE RADIO WAVES

We announced our extension with Cumulus to be the official radio home of the Arizona Wildcats earlier this summer. Wildcats Radio 1290 AM will continue to be the flagship station of Arizona Athletics for football, men's basketball and baseball games in Tucson with the Cumulus family of stations also carrying women's basketball and softball games.

Our radio partners will continue to deliver Arizona game action and other dedicated content throughout the airwaves, which includes the weekly radio shows of coaches Sean Miller, Kevin Sumlin and Adia Barnes. The station has also grown its Arizona Athletics programming with regular appearances from various Wildcats. Tune in and Bear Down!

KIDCATS CLUB



Arizona Athletics is proud to announce the relaunch of the Arizona KidCats Club presented by Hughes Federal Credit Union. This is a great opportunity for youngsters to connect with the University of Arizona while attending exclusive events. Get more information and sign up to be a KidCat by clicking here.

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. Bear Down with us today! Join the Wildcat Club to make an impact on our student-athletes' experience.
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