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BEAR DOWN WITH ARIZONA FOOTBALL



We had a tremendous Homecoming weekend on campus, and it was a privilege to be a part of so many experiences and festivities. I was honored to welcome Arizona Football greats, Earl Mitchell and Brooks Reed, back to campus as honorary captains as they were officially inducted into the Ring of Honor at Arizona Stadium. It's always an honor to recognize these alumni back on campus as we pay tribute to their legacies as student-athletes and their life after leaving campus.
 
Saturday's game was a hard-fought, exciting win by Arizona Football that really epitomized our university's Bear Down spirit of determination. Our student-athletes truly fought like Wildcats to earn a victory over California on Homecoming. Hats off to all our student-athletes, coaches and staff for making Saturday afternoon a memorable one.


 
Coach Fisch and the Wildcats are right back at it again this weekend with another afternoon kickoff at Arizona Stadium. We will welcome Utah to Tucson for another 12 p.m. (MST) kickoff on the Pac-12 Networks. Saturday's game is our annual Military Appreciation Game as we honor the outstanding men and women of our military. You can purchase tickets for the game for just $15 that will be donated to local servicemen and women in Southern Arizona. Click here to purchase your Tickets for Troops. I can't wait to see the Wildcat Family back at Arizona Stadium again this Saturday. Bear Down and Go Cats!
 
MCKALE MASKING DURING BASKETBALL SEASON



We want to continue to message to our fans in Wildcat Wednesdays about the University of Arizona's campus guidelines regarding masking. As we continue to follow our campus partners' protocols and guidance, we want to remind and reinforce the masking requirements inside our venues.

• Fans are required to wear a mask to enter and at all times while in McKale Center
• Fans are permitted to take their mask off only when eating or drinking while in their seats
• Arizona Athletics expects all those who attend Arizona sporting events to be vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID-19 within the last 72 hours. This expectation is necessary to ensure the safety of all those attending and participating.
• Fans can visit ArizonaWildcats.com/GameDayHealth for more information

These requirements are for all sporting events held inside McKale Center, which includes men's basketball, women's basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. We continue to communicate this important information with signage, in-venue displays and social media posts. Let's work together to Mask Up and Bear Down!

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON BEGINS



Arizona Women's Basketball officially opened their season with a 43-point win over Cal State Northridge last night in front of a terrific crowd. Freshman Aaronette Vonleh shined with a team-high 14 points and six rebounds in her collegiate debut. Seniors Cate Reese and Sam Thomas combined to score 27 points in the route as well as our entire roster gave fans a preview of things to come.
 
The excitement around our women's basketball program continues to grow, and you can be a part of our awesome McKale atmosphere and Bear Down with the Wildcats. Click here to buy a five-game mini plan.
 
STORYBOOK SOCCER SEND-OFF



Arizona Soccer's victory over Arizona State on Friday seemed to be something right out of a Hollywood script. It was an exciting and iconic season finale as the Cats defeated the in-state rivals for a seventh consecutive season. Star senior Jill Aguilera was the woman of the match with another record-breaking performance. Her first-half goal tied her with Mallory Miller for the program's all-time scoring record. Jill's game-winning goal in overtime made her the program's goal queen, and she did all of this with Mallory and other alumni in attendance. It was the perfect way to end a career and a season, and we had a great crowd of 1,165 on hand.
 
Hats off to Jill for the record-breaking send off to her career and for earning Pac-12 Player of the Week for her tremendous performance. Thank you to all our seniors for outstanding careers as members of our program. The future is bright with Arizona Soccer, and we can't wait to see you back on the pitch in the future.
 
CATCHING UP WITH ALUMNI



Did you tune in to the BearDown Podcast last week for our one-on-one chat with Dusan Ristic? Dusan is the all-time winningest player in Arizona Basketball history and is continuing to represent our University as a professional player in Spain's ACB League. He was a crowd favorite in Tucson, and you will enjoy his conversation on the podcast.
 
COACH LLOYD'S FIRST WIN



Tuesday also marked an impressive win by Arizona Men's Basketball over Northern Arizona to open the season. It was the first career victory for head coach Tommy Lloyd, and we want to congratulate him on the first of many victories as our coach. The team presented Coach Lloyd with the game ball and a postgame shower to celebrate the win.
 
The victory over the Lumberjacks showcased our team's fast-pace, exciting style of play as we tallied an impressive 25 assists on 28 made field goals. Kerr Kriisa scored a game-high 17 points in the win to go with his five assists. McKale Center was electric, and our atmosphere was powered by over 12,000 fans in attendance. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet this season, click here to utilize one of our various ticket plans. We will see you back in McKale when the Wildcats host UT Rio Grande Valley at 7 p.m. (MST) on Friday, Nov. 12.
 
DELANEY SCHNELL TAKES FLIGHT



Arizona All-American and Olympic Medalist Delaney Schnell was able to take flight outside of the diving platform when she was invited to take a ride with the Thunderbirds of the United States Air Force at Davis Monthan as part of the "Thunder and Lightning Arizona Air Show".
 
If you missed any of the content from this special flight, please click here. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for one of our most decorated student-athletes and native Tucsonan. Thank you to our friends at Davis Monthan Air Force Base for making this happen and for helping recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Delaney.
 
NEWEST ADDITION FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES



McKale Center has a new addition for our hundreds of student-athletes with our new Powerade fueling station outside the Bill Estes Jr. Family Strength and Conditioning Center. This is a new stop for student-athletes' hydration and nutrition before or after a workout. The ease and efficiency of this new facility in McKale allows for our student-athletes to fuel their bodies.
 
This new space in McKale Center is part of our athletics department's ongoing mission to provide a first-class student-athlete experience through nutritional support. It's one of the ways our student-athletes live the "Wildcat Way".
 
ARIZONA VOLLEYBALL HOMESTAND

This week marks our final home weekend of volleyball in McKale this season. Coach Rubio and the Wildcats host the Mountain schools, beginning with Utah at 3 p.m. (MST) on Friday afternoon. The team split their trip to Utah and Colorado last month and look to improve their 9-4 home record against the Utes and Buffaloes. Click here to get your tickets for Friday's match. Arizona Volleyball's final home match of the season will be its rivalry match-up with Arizona State at 12 p.m. (MST) on Saturday, Nov. 27.
 
WELCOMING OUR NEWEST WILDCATS

Today marks the beginning of the Fall signing period when all our programs, with the exception of football, can officially welcome signees after inking their national letters of intent. This is a special day in the lives of dozens of future student-athletes who are fulfilling their dreams of becoming an Arizona Wildcat.
 
I want to personally welcome all our signees to the Wildcat Family. We can't wait to have you join our programs and begin your Wildcat journeys to becoming academic, athletic and life champions. We hope you have a great finish to your high school careers. Bear Down and Go Cats!
 
COMPLIANCE CORNER

Please remember that the complimentary admissions student-athletes receive for Arizona Athletics events are reserved for their family and close friends. Additionally, a student-athlete's eligibility could be compromised if he or she receives anything for a ticket. Because of this, please refrain from providing student-athletes or their family members with anything of value for their complimentary admissions. We encourage you to contact the Compliance Office at (520) 621-4796 or ica-compliance@email.arizona.edu with any questions.
 
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