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STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT



Our student-athlete spotlight this week features Sam Thomas of Arizona Women's Basketball. She famously announced her return to a fifth season at the team's welcome back celebration at Arizona Stadium following the national championship game and continues to proudly represent the University of Arizona, Arizona Athletics and Southern Arizona.
 
Our ArizonaWildcats.com feature takes a look at Sam's building of her platform and brand as a student-athlete and utilizing our Arizona EDGE program for Name, Image and Likeness. She was the voice and face of all Arizona student-athletes at an important NIL panel in Washington, D.C. Sam is growing her brand and platform as a student-athlete through the Arizona Edge as she fulfills Arizona's "Wildcat Way" strategic initiatives through this newest part of the Wildcat Journey.
 
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS



Our football program returns to Arizona Stadium for a Friday night kickoff versus the Washington Huskies at 7:30 p.m. (MST) kickoff on ESPN2. We will pay tribute to breast cancer awareness month and the many lives affected by the disease.
 
We will also celebrate "Wonder Night" at the stadium as we recognize the University of Arizona and all the tremendous Wildcats who make our institution the national leader that it is. The University of Arizona is a place of wonder where you can do the extraordinary with extraordinary people, and the prominence of this flagship institution will be on full display Friday night.
 
If you don't have tickets yet for Friday's game, you can click here to purchase them. I also want to thank our fans, alumni and loyal supporters for making Arizona Stadium a special atmosphere all season long. Our venue fills with dynamic energy on game days because of your unwavering support of our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Thank you for everything you do. Bear Down and Go Cats!
 
GET YOUR WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON TICKETS



We are less than two weeks away from the start of the season for Arizona Women's Basketball. The Wildcats will open their year with an exhibition versus Eastern New Mexico on Thursday, October 28 at 6 p.m. (MST) in McKale Center. This will be your first chance to catch the 2021-22 team in action as they begin another exciting season.
 
Season tickets are still available to purchase as well as mini plans, single game tickets and group packages that officially went on sale on Monday. There are a variety of ticketing options for fans to utilize to Bear Down with Coach Barnes and the Wildcats this season. We can't wait to see you all in McKale this season!
 
Arizona guard Bendu Yeaney was the guest on this week's edition of the BearDown podcast as she discussed her life growing up in Oregon and previews this year's team. Visit ArizonaWildcats.com/BearDownPod to listen to this episode of the podcast as well as all others.
 
NBA WILDCATS



The 2021-22 NBA season is officially under way and the NBA ranks are once again full of Wildcats. Arizona Basketball has eight Wildcats playing on NBA rosters this season, including Andre Iguodala of the Warriors, Solomon Hill of the Hawks, TJ McConnell of the Pacers, Aaron Gordon of the Nuggets, Lauri Markkanen of the Cavs, Deandre Ayton of the Suns, Zeke Nnaji of the Nuggets, Josh Green of the Mavericks. We also have eight former Wildcats in the coaching ranks of the NBA that include Steve Kerr and Luke Walton who are the head coaches of the Warriors and Kings.

Arizona Basketball's legacy in the NBA is a hallmark of the tradition of our program. Fulfilling the dreams of your athletic career is a key component in the journey of all Wildcats and a calling card of our Wildcat Way student-athlete experience. We want to wish all these great Wildcats the best of luck this season.

You can Bear Down with Arizona Basketball for the 2021-22 season by purchasing your season tickets or utilizing our mini plans, single game tickets and group sales options. Coach Lloyd and the Wildcats will take the floor for their exhibition opener on Monday, Nov. 1 versus Eastern New Mexico, so lock in your seats for the season before it's too late.
 
MEN'S GOLF ON NATIONAL TV



Our men's golf program wrapped up its second consecutive tournament on the Golf Channel by capping its Stephens Cup with a match play win over Florida State. The Wildcats finished three rounds of stroke play in a tie for third with Chase Sienkiewicz, Aidric Chan and Christian Banke all carding top-10 finishes. Hats off to our student-athletes and staff on another strong performance.

Arizona Men's Golf has completed its fall schedule that saw the team also finish runner-up at the Blessings Collegiate Invitational earlier this month. The team will return to action in 2022 with the Copper Cup in Maricopa in mid-January.
 
FALL BALL IN ACTION



We announced earlier this week that our fall exhibitions of our baseball and softball programs will be open to the public to enjoy. These games will have free admission as we ask fans to visit ArizonaWildcats.com/GameDayHealth for our athletics department's game day health and safety guidelines.

After having some fun at the Mexican Baseball Fiesta, Coach Hale and Arizona Baseball are back in action in Tucson this weekend. The Wildcats will host Air Force in a Fall exhibition at 11 a.m. (MST) on Sunday, Oct. 24 at Hi Corbett Field. Our baseball season tickets went on sale this week, and you can click here to get your seats for the spring now.
 
EAST LAKE CUP

Arizona Women's Golf is set to return to one of the most prestigious events in college golf. The East Lake Cup is broadcasted every year on the Golf Channel. This marquee tournament welcomes the top teams from the previous year's NCAA championships to Atlanta, Georgia.
 
Coach Ianello and the Wildcats have become regular fixtures at East Lake and begin this season as the only program in the country to reach the semifinals of each of the last three NCAA Championships. We tee off on Monday, Oct. 25, so tune in and Bear Down.
 
SWIM AND DIVE RETURN HOME



Arizona Swimming and Diving returns to Tucson to host Wisconsin and Hawai'i in a tri-meet at the Hillenbrand Aquatics Center. Our women's team is coming off a strong showing after last week's meet versus Washington State that saw Amalie Mortensen pick up a win in the 500-meter freestyle and Julia Heimstead in the 200-metter butterfly among other outstanding performances.
 
Come watch all our swimming and diving student-athletes in the pool this weekend, beginning at 2 p.m. (MST) on Friday, Oct. 22. Attendance is free at home meets, and you can check ArizonaWildcats.com and follow @ArizonaSwimDive for more information and results.
 
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