TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona has become a household name in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to its partnership with the state of Arizona. It has put the institution firmly at the forefront of research and exploration. The development and implementation of robust antibody testing has made headlines as University President Robert C. Robbins has become a fixture on a variety of national television news programs.

That news story is put into action by a dedicated group of individuals from all across campus, which includes Arizona Athletics' entire athletic training staff. The success of the program is powered by one constant fixture; a team.
 

 "We reached out to university leadership that our staff was available to help in any way needed," said Associate A.D. for CATS Medical Services Randy Cohen. "Once this program began to take shape, we jumped in as soon as we could. Our staff is an outstanding group of medical professionals with years of experience and an eagerness to pitch in."

Cohen is one of the many familiar faces of the Wildcat Family roaming the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center, staffing this community-focused initiative. There are countless moving parts in an operation of this magnitude, and there's no task left undone for these Wildcats.

"Every single athletic trainer has volunteered to be a part of this, and we have made sure all tasks are covered," noted longtime Associate Athletic Trainer Jenny Wyly. "We have staff members transporting blood samples, organizing lines of patients arriving for testing, taking temperatures among many other things."

As Cohen and Wyly see it, the day-to-day triage and evaluation skills that Arizona's athletic trainers use with student-athletes is a key to the group's efficiency as part of an even bigger team. An endeavor of this scope speaks to all missions, goals and values of an organization.
 

"We are here to support the entire mission of the University of Arizona and Southern Arizona as medical providers," Cohen said. "The university is setting the emphasis on what we can do as a community, and we are dedicated to achieving it all. We are focused on testing and keeping everyone in Arizona healthy and safe."

Arizona Athletics' Facilities and Event Management staffs were crucial in prepping the Davis Sports Center to serve as a testing site. Their commitment to be part of this important team was instrumental in turning the athletics department's indoor practice facility into a clean and organized communal medical facility. The hard work off all parts of the Wildcat Family to put this initiative into action did not go unnoticed. 

"The biggest thing I see is how grateful and receptive patients who have come in have been," Cohen continued. "There are a number of medical personnel and first responders coming in to be tested who are grateful, patient and understanding of what we are doing. It's has been truly great to see."

The sense of service of the trainers volunteering to staff this undertaking is also met with a sense of pride for Wyly.

"I've been a proud staff member of the University of Arizona for over 20 years," she said. "Seeing this university at the forefront of such important testing, it makes me even more proud."

The power of a team is not anything new at Arizona Athletics. It's a way of life. Arizona Athletics teaming up with the entire campus is at the core of being a Wildcat. Being a part of a great team encompasses the characteristics of the Wildcat Way.

Choose to care…

Be insatiably curious…

Stay open-minded and eager for what's next…

Harness the power of diversity…

Bear Down…