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

ANOTHER ACADEMIC RECORD

Our student-athletes continue to take their academic success to new heights. Arizona Athletics' Commitment to an Athletes Total Success (C.A.T.S.) shines through challenging circumstances as our department posted its highest Fall overall GPA on record last semester with a 3.095. Not only does that break our previous mark of 3.066 from Fall 2019, but our overall departmental GPA's have increased in each of the last six Fall semesters. Last semester's 3.095 is an impressive increase from the 2.744 in the Fall of 2014.


 
Congratulations to our student-athletes for this outstanding achievement and for remaining dedicated to becoming academic, athletics and life champions! This accomplishment is also an impressive feather in the cap of our talented and dedicated C.A.T.S. Academics staff who support all 500 of our student-athletes through this unprecedented global pandemic in our world class Ginny L. Clements Academic Center. Bear Down and Go Cats!
 
BEAR DOWN WITH COACH FISCH



The excitement around Arizona Football grows as Coach Fisch continues to build his terrific staff and share his energizing vision for the program. He sat down with Brian Jeffries, the voice of the Wildcats, for an excellent chat about his building process and more, which you can watch by clicking here.
 
We have received requests from fans wanting to know how they can support the program and Bear Down next season, and we want the Wildcat Family to know that you can put down a deposit for 2021 season tickets now for just $75.
 
ARIZONA WOMEN'S HOOPS IN PRIME TIME



Coach Barnes and the Wildcats will play in their first-ever regular season game on ESPN when the No. 11 Wildcats welcome the No. 10 Oregon Ducks to McKale Center at 5 p.m. (MST) on Thursday, Jan. 14. ESPN's national broadcast crew of Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe will have the call for this tremendous match-up.
 
Arizona is 8-2 on the year and 6-2 in the Pac-12 and have won their last six games following a loss. The Wildcats also have a top-10 win in McKale this season when they downed No. 9 UCLA last month. Tune in and Bear Down!
 
COPPER CUP



Arizona Men's Golf is scheduled to open 2021 with a terrific Ryder Cup-style event, the Copper Cup, versus Arizona State this weekend. Coach Anderson and the Wildcats have a deep and talented squad this season, which includes a plethora of returning seniors including Briggs Duce, David Laskin, Brad Reeves and Trevor Werbylo.
 
The Cats tee off in Maricopa on Sunday, January 17 and you can follow @ArizonaMGolf for scoring updates and breaking news. This is shaping up to be a banner season for the program, and we can't wait for them to get things started.
 
DOCTOR PAUL LEADS THE WAY



You may have noticed a familiar name in the national news last week. As part of the Pac-12 Conference's work with the Center for Disease Control on COVID-19 quarantine research, our own Dr. Stephen Paul played a pivotal role in this important collaboration that enhanced our understanding of mitigating this disease.
 
Dr. Paul has been a leader at the forefront of health and safety, both locally and nationally, while guiding our department through our return to campus and competition. His leadership, professionalism and compassion has impacted the lives of student-athletes, coaches and staff. Thank you Dr. Paul for everything for you have done for all of us and for representing the University of Arizona with pride and distinction.
 
PAC-12 ATTENDANCE



The Pac-12 Conference shared the unfortunate news that its prohibition on fan attendance at sporting events will continue until further notice due to the continuation of negative trends of COVID-19 in communities throughout the conference footprint. In the interest of health and safety, we will proceed without fans in the stands this spring. This is a difficult decision, but we must continue to remain vigilant and focused on protecting the health of the Wildcat Family, our Southern Arizona community and all. Please remember to Bear Down, Mask Up and help us stop the spread of COVID-19.
 
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