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MORE ACADEMIC SUCCESS

The academic success of Arizona student-athletes continues with our recently released Graduate Success Rate (GSR) scores from the NCAA. I am proud to announce that our athletics department set a new all-time high with a score of 87 percent. This metric, which calculates our graduation rate among freshmen who enrolled between 2010 and 13, is one of the many ways our student-athletes continue to break records in the classroom.
 
I am extremely proud of this accomplishment because it highlights the years of hard work put in by Arizona student-athletes. Over the last two years, Arizona Athletics has broken academic records in GSR scores, department grade point averages as well as academic progress report scoring from the NCAA. Our athletics department is focused on the holistic development of our student-athletes, and these academic achievements are tremendous examples of how classroom successes are part of our Commitment to an Athletes Total Success (CATS).
 
MCKALE CENTER ACTION



McKale Center is ready to welcome our men's and women's basketball programs for the 2020-21 seasons as both programs have released updated schedules. Coach Miller and the Wildcats are set to open the year on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. (MST) versus Northern Arizona on the Pac-12 Networks. Coach Barnes and Arizona Women's Basketball announced their conference schedule, which begins on Friday, Dec. 4. You can start getting ready for both seasons by reading our men's and women's basketball digital preseason guides from Arizona Learfield IMG. Please click here for the women's basketball guide and click here for the men's guide.


 
Fan Cutouts for McKale Center are now on sale! These cutouts will be available for each team playing in McKale and will continue to sell throughout those seasons. In order for your cutout to be installed in the arena for the first men's basketball game, please complete your order by Thursday, November 19. Please note, if you are a season ticket holder for men's basketball, women's basketball, volleyball, or gymnastics, you received a special promo code for a discount in your email on Sunday. If you have any questions, email catsinfo@arizona.edu or click here to purchase McKale Fan Cutouts!
 
BEST WISHES COACH LI
We announced the retirement of Head Cross Country Coach James Li yesterday after 18 years coaching at Arizona Athletics. Coach Li helped guide generations of distance runners to elite success nationally and internationally. Arizona reached seven NCAA Championships in cross country during Li's 18 seasons while also achieving success in the classroom. We want to thank Coach Li for his service and commitment to Arizona Cross Country.
 
We'd also like to welcome back decorated Arizona coach Dave Murray who will lead Arizona Cross Country through the remainder of the year. We are very fortunate to have Coach Murray return to the Wildcat Family where he spent four decades guiding our track and field programs to excellence and distinction on the track and in the classroom.
 
NEWEST CLASS OF CATS



Last Wednesday marked the beginning of our Fall signing period as we welcomed 51 new Wildcats across all our programs. Seeing a new generation of future student-athletes sign their national letters of intent represent countless special moments for all of us.
 
I want to welcome all our incoming student-athletes to our beloved Wildcat Family where we develop the student-athletes in our programs into academic, athletic and life champions. You will soon embark on the next chapter of your careers, and the Wildcat Family is ready to support you and cheer you on.
 
Congratulations on this memorable milestone in your careers, and I can't wait to see you all on campus and in competition in the future. Bear Down and Go Cats!
 
GENERATIONAL WILDCAT



Among our 51 signees joining our programs, we have a second-generation Wildcat joining Arizona Beach Volleyball. Olivia Rubio, daughter of Arizona Volleyball Head Coach Dave Rubio, will join Coach Walker and our beach program. It is truly a Wildcat Family as Olivia joins Arizona Athletics where she has been raised wearing red and blue. Congratulations to the Rubio Family on this wonderful moment.
 
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH



Our monthlong celebration of Native American Heritage continues with the wonderful stories of our student-athletes. Akia Warrior, a setter for Arizona Volleyball, shares the impact Native American history and culture have had on her life.
 
Jaisen Brown and Isaac Desjarlais of Arizona Track and Field spoke about how much the celebration and recognition of their Native American heritage means to them. We are also proud to share the stories of former student-athletes, like Vinny Littleman from Arizona Baseball, whose heritage helped shape who he is today.
 
Arizona Athletics is proud to celebrate the rich culture and traditions of Native American heritage of all Wildcats. Inclusion is a pillar of the Wildcat Way because diversity in our community helps define who we are as Wildcats.
 
NEW PAC-12 STREAMING

The Pac-12 announced its release of the "Pac-12 Insider" earlier this week, which offers fans free access on Samsung TV Plus, Redbox Free Live TV and XUMO. Fans can tune in to catch highlights, encores of classic games, behind the scenes stories and other in-depth programming.
 
As Arizona Football seasons continues and both our basketball programs get ready to start their seasons, you can click here for more information on catching the Wildcats on the Pac-12 Networks and the Pac-12 Insider.
 
COMPLIANCE CORNER

A few reminders for our fans about employing student-athletes. Student-athletes may only be paid for work actually performed, and they may only be paid going rate for those services. Their compensation may not include any payment for the value their athletics reputation may have for the employer. Any benefits provided to a student-athlete as part of their employment must be consistent with those provided to other employees. Prior to the start of a student-athlete's employment, he or she is required to complete an Employment Form, which the Compliance Office subsequently verifies with the employer. Please contact the Compliance Office at (520) 621-4796 or ica-compliance@email.arizona.edu with any questions.

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