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TOGETHER WE BEAR DOWN
We launched our
Together We Bear Down campaign last month as a testament to our department's tradition of determination, unity and resiliency. This powerful motto of who we are has helped overcome the obstacles of our past and continues to be part of our department's identity.
As we continue our mission of providing a world-class experience for our 500 student-athletes, I have been strongly urging the Wildcat Family
to donate all or part of their 2020 season ticket payment to the Wildcat Scholarship Fund. Your powerful generosity is 100% tax deductible and will help Arizona Athletics continue to provide student-athletes the opportunities to become academic, athletic and life champions. Season ticket amounts will receive priority points for the donated amounts. We will also recognize these donors as part of our upcoming Giving Day during Homecoming from Thursday, Nov. 12 to Saturday, Nov. 14. You can
click here for more donation information and to learn more about how Together We Bear Down.
Our unity and perseverance have lifted us above the challenges of these unprecedented times. Your support of Arizona Athletics is a source of inspiration to us all and propels us forward to ensure our programs, student-athletes, coaches and staff continue to be points of pride for the University of Arizona and our Southern Arizona community.
1-0 MENTALITY
Arizona Football preseason camp is underway as the team prepares for the 2020 season that begins on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Utah. As Coach Sumlin and the team take to the Dick Tomey Practice Fields, the excitement for the season continues to build. Arizona Athletics has you covered for all your camp coverage needs, including
videos, photos and notebooks. If you haven't read one already
, check out the ArizonaWildcats.com notebook for information, stats and updates on the program.
Since the Pac-12 Conference's schedule release last month, we still have not finalized television broadcast details or kickoff times for our games. As soon as that information becomes official, we will pass it along in future Wildcat Wednesdays as well as on ArizonaWildcats.com and our various social media platforms.
WILDCAT CHAMPIONS
Arizona Men's Basketball added two more NBA champions to its storied tradition as Miles Simon and Quinton Crawford were part of the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers who hoisted the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.
Miles and Quinton become the 27th and 28th Wildcats to earn an NBA ring, strengthening this tremendous alumni accomplishment.
Being a champion is a desire of all Wildcats while becoming a world champion is an ultimate achievement in any career. Bear Down Miles and Quinton!
POWERING THE RETURN
I want to utilize this Wildcat Wednesday email to
highlight our incredible Arizona Athletics staff who have worked tirelessly since March to help our department return to campus and competition. Many of our staff members have gone above and beyond to help our programs maintain their day-to-day operations since March.
One group of these outstanding employees to recognize is our strength and conditioning staff as well as our sports nutrition staff. Following the cancellation of seasons, our entire athletics department shifted to providing the best training environment for our student-athletes to focus on their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
This group of staff answered the call and served our student-athletes in both remote and in-person environments while remaining dedicated to the health and safety of all.
Thank you to all our Arizona Athletics staff who have helped us continue our mission to support our student-athletes through these challenging times.
CATS ON TOUR
Congratulations to Arizona Women's Golf alum Bianca Pagdanganan for earning a top-10 finish in her first LPGA event at the KPMG Women's Open and earned a spot in December's U.S. Women's Open major. Bianca has made her presence felt on the LPGA Tour, including leading all players in driving average as her and her former teammate, Haley Moore, have been proudly representing Arizona as LPGA rookies.
Bianca graduated from Arizona in 2019 after helping guide the Wildcats to their dramatic national championship victory in 2018, which included
this momentous eagle putt. From being a national champion to competing on the LPGA Tour, Bianca continues to make the entire Wildcat Family proud! Tip of the cap to Bianca, Coach Ianello and the program for this tremendous achievement.
BEAR DOWN WITH BRIAN JEFFRIES
Want to get caught up with our men's and women's basketball programs? Check out Bear Down With
Brian Jeffries, which are one-on-one interviews with the student-athletes from our programs. The most recent episodes include point guards [youtube.com/watch?v=ErK6Ncy69p8]Aari McDonald and
Kerr Kriisa. Tune in to our
YouTube channel for future episodes and to Bear Down with the Wildcats.
WEAR THE COLORS – SHARE THE PHOTOS
Send us your photos of you wearing the colors while staying safe!
Thank you for wearing the colors and sharing your Arizona pride! Make sure to take a picture the next time you are wearing the colors and send it to us, we just might include it in next week's Wildcat Wednesday! And even if your photo submission doesn't make next week's edition, 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.
Stay Safe, Bear Down and Mask Up!
Dave Heeke
Director of Athletics
University of Arizona
uofaad@arizona.edu
