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HAPPY HOLIDAYS

On behalf of Arizona Athletics, I want to wish the entire Wildcat Family a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope that all of you have a safe and healthy holiday with your family, friends and loved ones. We have many things to be thankful for, and it's important that we all take time this week to give thanks.
 
I also would like to encourage the Wildcat Family to continue doing their part to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 during the holidays. Please continue to wear a mask, follow physical distancing guidelines, avoid large gatherings and maintain good personal hygiene. Thank you for all you have done for your own health and safety as well as those around you.
 
And as we like to say here at the University of Arizona, Bear Down and Mask Up!
 
THANK YOU WILDCAT FAMILY



As 2020 continues to wind down, I'd like to take this opportunity to once again thank all our fans, donors, alumni and supporters who have stood with us through these challenging times. Your unwavering support of our 500 student-athletes and 21 programs has propelled our return to campus and competition. The outstanding young men and women who represent this great university and community have realized their dreams of becoming champions in their sport, the classroom and our community because of the student-athlete experience our athletics department is able to provide because of your powerful generosity.
 
Whether you purchased a fan cutout, participated in our virtual sellout, converted your paid ticket amount into a gift or participated in our Giving Day earlier this month, the Wildcat Family has supported our athletics department in a variety of ways. Arizona Athletics is grateful and thankful for the support of the Wildcat Family throughout the past eight months, and we would like to thank you all again for making Arizona Athletics the terrific department that it is.
 
BASKETBALL SEASONS BEGIN



We made the disappointing decision to cancel Arizona Men's Basketball's season opener versus Northern Arizona this week because of a positive COVID-19 case in the Lumberjacks' program as health and safety continue to be our top priorities. However, the start of basketball season for both programs is scheduled to begin this week.
 
Coach Miller and the Wildcats are scheduled to face Grambling State on Friday, Nov. 27 at 3 p.m. (MST) in McKale Center on the Pac-12 Networks. While we will not be able to welcome our loyal supporters and fans at games this season, you can still get your official Fan Cutout installed inside our storied venue. Click here to order your cutout for men's and women's basketball seasons.
 


Arizona Women's Basketball is scheduled to open their season against NAU at 12 p.m. (MST) on Sunday with broadcast information still to be finalized. Please continue to visit ArizonaWildcats.com and @ArizonaWBB on social media for schedule and broadcast updates.
 
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.
 
NBA DRAFT



The 2020 NBA Draft was a night to remember for the Wildcat Family as Josh Green, Zeke Nnaji and Nico Mannion were all selected and fulfilled their dreams and aspirations. Arizona was one of only three schools in the country to have three selections in this year's draft. Arizona Basketball last had three or more selections in the same year back in 2001.
 
Congratulations to Josh, Zeke and Nico on this memorable accomplishment as well to our coaching staff for helping these three outstanding young men live out their dreams. Having our student-athletes represent the University of Arizona and Southern Arizona at the highest levels of professional sports is something we can all be proud of. We know the Wildcat Family will be cheering on the Mavericks, Nuggets and Warriors even more this season!
 
#CATSGIVEBACK



Arizona student-athletes continue to make a difference in our community during this global pandemic as we had members of Beach Volleyball, Women's Swimming and Diving and Women's Tennis pitch in with our Arizona Athletics Drive Thru Food Drive. We collected 590 non-perishable food items to be donated to the UA Campus Pantry, which is an important campus resource that addresses food insecurities of students and staff at the University of Arizona. 
 
RETURN TO WORK ACADEMICS



In our ongoing recognition of our department staff members that have worked tirelessly in our return to campus and competition, we'd like to recognize our top-notch C.A.T.S. Academics staff. You can read this ArizonaWildcats.com profile about the dedication, determination and ingenuity of this tremendous group of Wildcats who shifted to remote learning environments while continuing to serve our 500 student-athletes.
 
The statistics are impressive from C.A.T.S. Academics, including 14,000 virtual appointments in the spring semester alone. The team also created new programming for student-athletes that was highlighted by a new book club program. All of this has occurred on top of record-breaking semesters in the classroom over the last two years in a number of NCAA metrics.
 
On behalf of the Wildcat Family, we want to thank our C.A.T.S. Academics team for everything they have done during these unprecedented times and for continuing the outstanding academic legacy of our athletics department. You, and our entire athletics staff, are key parts of our department's ability to provide our student-athletes opportunities to become athletic, academic and life champions!

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