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FAN ATTENDANCE UPDATE



As I announced in previous Wildcat Wednesday emails, we began offering a limited number of single game tickets for purchase for fans to attend home softball and baseball games as part of our phased approach to safely welcoming fans back to our venues. The Wildcat Family's unwavering support of our programs and student-athletes was on display yet again, as we sold out of our limited initial allotment of softball tickets after going on sale to season ticket holders and the general public last week. We also sold portions of our limited number of baseball tickets available, and you can click here to purchase your Arizona Baseball tickets now if you haven't already.
 
We are also working to safely re-open our concession areas at our venues to offer to-go food and beverage options for our patrons in attendance, beginning with Arizona Baseball's series with Oregon this weekend at Hi Corbett. Our athletics department will continue its work to get the concession stands operational at Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium for future games as well.
 
Arizona Athletics is excited to continue welcoming fans to safely attend home sporting events at our outdoor venues this spring. This is an important step towards re-establishing our game day atmosphere and experience for all our programs in the future. I want to thank you all for your continued support and patience throughout this challenging year, and I will communicate new information and updates on fan attendance in my weekly Wildcat Wednesday emails. 
 
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MARCHES ON



Congratulations to Coach Barnes and the Wildcats on defeating BYU earlier tonight to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history. Arizona's pair of wins in San Antonio have propelled them to a match-up with Texas A&M on Saturday, March 27 at 5 p.m. (MST) with a television designation to be announced.
 
The historic 2020-21 Arizona Women's Basketball season continues to add chapters to the legacy of the program with its first Sweet 16 appearance since 1998. The Wildcats are showing the country how special this program is and what it means to Bear Down! Tune in on Saturday and cheer on your Wildcats.
 
FIRST SPRING PRACTICE



Yesterday marked the first official spring practice for Arizona Football as Coach Fisch and the team took the field in front of a small group of fans and media. The excitement around the program has been building throughout the winter, and it was terrific to see the team take the field for the first time in 2021.
 
Arizona Football and Arizona Athletics continue to produce outstanding content taking you inside the program as well as keeping you up to date during the spring. In case you missed it, check out this behind the scenes video of Coach Fisch on his first day of spring practice.
 
We've been hearing from fans, supporters and alumni throughout the country about how they can support Arizona Football heading into the 2021 season. If you haven't purchased your season tickets yet, it's not too late! Lock in your seats today for the 2021 season at Arizona Stadium.
 
GYMCATS OFF TO NCAA REGIONALS



Congratulations to Arizona Gymnastics on being selected to compete at NCAA Regionals for a second consecutive season, following last year's cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coach Court and the Wildcats will be a part of the Salt Lake City Regional, beginning on Thursday, April 1.
 
Arizona will face Temple in a dual meet at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah. The Wildcats will also have a trio of individuals competing as well with Malia Hargrove on vault and floor exercise with Jessica Castles and Sirena Linton both competing on balance beam.
 
Postseason competition is one of the most impactful parts of our student-athlete experience, and we want to wish all the GymCats good luck as they represent our athletics department, university and community at NCAA Regionals.
 
WILDCAT ALL-AMERICANS IN THE POOL



Members of Arizona Swimming & Diving brought home All-America honors from last week's NCAA Championships. Freshman Amalie Mortensen earned All-American Honorable Mention with her strong showing in the 200-meter freestyle with a final time of 1:45:74 after posting the third fastest time in the country by a freshman this year in her prelim.
 
Junior diver Delaney Schnell added to her All-American career by finishing as the NCAA runner-up in the platform dive as well as fourth place in the 1-meter dive.
 
Arizona's men's swimmers compete this week at the NCAA Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina as over a dozen Wildcats will compete in postseason competition with opportunities to add to the legacy of the program and bolster their careers as Wildcats.
 
VOLLEYBALL BACK IN MCKALE CENTER



Winners of four straight matches, Arizona Volleyball returns home for its final regular season matches in McKale Center. The team's sweep of California over the weekend netted freshman Sofia Maldonado Diaz a third Pac-12 Freshman of the Week award, becoming the first Wildcat ever to win the award three times in a season.
 
The Wildcats have won seven straight matches at home as they welcome USC to Tucson. Sunday's contest versus the Trojans at 12 p.m. is the final regular season home match, which means the program will honor its two seniors in Akia Warrior and Paige Whipple. Akia joined the program this season as a transfer from Belmont who came to Tucson to finish her career where her father grew up. Paige has been a four-year standout for the Cats and has re-written some important parts of the Arizona Volleyball record book as she nears the top 10 in program history in career kills.
 
First serve for Coach Rubio and the Wildcats is Friday evening at 6 p.m. (MST). Get live stream details and live stats information on ArizonaWildcats.com or @ArizonaVBall on social media. Bear Down and Go Cats!
 
SOFTBALL RETURNS HOME



After nearly three weeks on the road, Arizona Softball returns to the friendly confines of Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium for its Pac-12 home opener versus Oregon State this weekend. As this will be our first series with fans in attendance, we want to remind everyone of some key guidelines for those coming to cheer on the Wildcats.
 

• Please wear a mask at all times 
• Successfully complete the University of Arizona's Daily Wellness Check on the day of the event prior to arriving and showing completion to event staff before entering the facility 
• We ask that you sit in the designated seat assignment on your ticket at all times except for the use of restrooms 
• Please adhere to Arizona Athletics' clear bag policy 
• Gates will open 60 minutes prior to first pitch

 
We can't wait to safely welcome our loyal supporters to Hillenbrand Stadium to cheer on our softball student-athletes and coaches. Please remember to include the information above in your gameday planning.
 
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