Follow Dave Heeke on Twitter | Sign Up for the Wildcat Wednesday

Dear Wildcats,
 
This week's news from the NCAA Division 1 Council vote on eligibility relief for student-athletes brought some clarity on the futures of our spring student-athletes. I am pleased to see these student-athletes affected by the COVID-19 pandemic receive extended eligibility and have the opportunity to fulfill their student-athlete experience. However, the vote also ended the careers of some of our student-athletes from winter sports. It's important to honor and recognize all the achievements, accolades and success stories of these Wildcats as they proudly embodied the Wildcat Way for Arizona Athletics, the University of Arizona and the state of Arizona.
 
Our athletics department made a very important announcement of its own this week with our new June 1 deadline date for renewing football season tickets, basketball season tickets and Wildcat Club memberships. We extended this date from May 1 to June 1, while adding new payment plan options, to allow flexibility and additional assistance to our loyal supporters during the global COVID-19 crisis. We are thankful for your continued support during these unprecedented times. Your unwavering commitment to supporting over 500 student-athletes powers Arizona Athletics' mission of providing opportunities for Wildcats to become athletic, academic and life champions.
 
We are excited to share updates and information from our athletics department with you:

• Arizona Athletics is now publishing a new series of student-athlete profiles entitled "Who We Are", which showcases our student-athletes living "The Wildcat Way". The series begins with Cody Creason of Arizona Football and his story of his fulfillment of the Arizona student-athlete experience.
• We are ecstatic to welcome Arizona Women's Basketball All-American Aari McDonald back for her senior year. Aari has been a pivotal part of the resurgence of our women's basketball program, and we anticipate another season of excellence from one of the top players in women's college basketball. Bear Down Aari, and we can't wait to see you and the rest of the team in action next season!
• Congratulations to our 43 student-athletes on the Pac-12 Winter Academic Honor Roll. These 43 Wildcats, as well as the 41 student-athletes on the Fall Academic Honor Roll, are truly representing the University of Arizona as a point of pride in these academic awards from the conference. Honors earned in the classroom are impressive examples of the hard work our student-athletes put in during their seasons in their sport, in the classroom and in our community.
• Our friends at Learfield IMG have a treat for all Arizona fans with the radio broadcast replays of classic basketball games. The series continues with the calls from Brian Jeffries, the Voice of the Wildcats, of the 1997 national semifinal game win over North Carolina at 6 p.m. (MST) on Friday, April 3. It caps with the radio replay of the legendary win over Kentucky in the 1997 National Championship game at 6 p.m. (MST) on Monday, April 6. The games will be available on Wildcats Radio 1290 AM and on the TuneIn app.
• The decorated season for Arizona Men's Swimming and Diving continues to bring in awards. After the team's highest finish at the Pac-12 Championships since 1996, Bjorn Markentin has been named Pac-12 Freshman Diver of the Year. Bjorn becomes the first Wildcat to win this award since Rafael Quintero earned the honor in 2013.
• As this global pandemic continues to affect our community, Arizona Athletics has a list of our corporate sponsors in Southern Arizona providing pick-up, to-go and delivery options during these trying times.

 
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 being a proud Wildcat by

• Staying strong and being safe
• Renewing your Wildcat Club membership or Joining Today
• Wearing the colors and Bear Down with pride

 
Bear Down,
 
Dave Heeke
Vice President and Director of Athletics