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THANK YOU COACH CANDREA



Our legendary head softball coach, Mike Candrea, officially retired this week after an iconic 36-year run at the University of Arizona. Mike's hall of fame career includes eight national championships, 24 trips to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, 34 postseason appearances, and he singlehandedly elevated the game of softball. He built an unrivaled legacy that not only changed the lives of the hundreds of young women he coached, but he was an inspirational figure to entire generations of coaches and student-athletes across the globe.
 
Mike's four decades at the helm of our softball program didn't just create the standard for college athletics, but it created the benchmark for any program to aspire to. Arizona Softball has achieved the highest level of excellence on the field, off the field and in the community. Every student-athlete who has come through this storied program has helped continue the rich tradition and legacy that Mike developed.
 
Tuesday's retirement press conference was an outstanding tribute to the man affectionately known as "Coach". Having so many of his student-athletes, past and present, in attendance made the ceremony truly special. Every laugh, every tear and every applause showed just how much Mike meant to anyone he coached, worked with or attended a game. You can watch this memorable ceremony, in its entirety, by clicking here.
 
CAITLIN LOWE NAMED HEAD SOFTBALL COACH



Arizona Athletics is proud to announce Caitlin Lowe as the next head coach of Arizona Softball. Caitlin has been promoted as the next leader of the program after serving as a member of Mike Candrea's staff for the last nine seasons. She has played a pivotal role in the program's continued success over the last decade and is a tremendously well-respected coach in the national softball scene.
 
Caitlin is the epitome of a Wildcat for Life. She played the game at the highest level in an Arizona uniform as a part of two national championship-winning teams and as a member of Team USA in the Olympics. A four-time All-American whose imprints remain throughout the Arizona Softball record book, Caitlin's standout experience as a student-athlete is a perfect example of our Wildcat Way mission of developing Wildcats into athletic, academic and life champions.
 
She is the ideal leader to continue the storied legacy of our softball program and develop our next generations of Wildcat greats. I am excited to see Caitlin's leadership and guidance as we begin to write the next great chapters of Arizona Softball.
 
SUPER REGIONALS COMING TO HI CORBETT



Arizona Baseball's spectacular 2021 season continues after its sweep of the NCAA Tucson Regional over the weekend. The Wildcats had some timely hitting this weekend that was matched with some outstanding pitching performances. Junior Garrett Irvin threw an absolute gem in Saturday's win over UC Santa Barbara as he pitched a complete game shutout, giving up three hits and striking out ten.
 
Coach Johnson and the Wildcats are on to super regionals and will host Ole Miss at Hi Corbett this weekend. Arizona's series with the Rebels begins at 6 p.m. (MST) on Friday, June 11 on ESPNU as well as Wildcats Radio 1290 AM with Brian Jeffries on the radio call.
 
We also want to congratulate the program on its impressive haul of Pac-12 awards, including Jay Johnson being named Pac-12 Coach of the Year and Daniel Susac being selected as the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. Tip of the cap to Coach Johnson, Daniel and the seven other Wildcats who earned accolades from the Pac-12 Conference after winning the Pac-12 team championship.
 
We saw outstanding crowds throughout the weekend at Hi Corbett Field, and the atmosphere during our games was nothing short of electric. As Coach Johnson told our crowd after Sunday's win, we need everyone back at the ballpark this weekend and to bring some friends! All session passes for the weekend are now on sale, and single game tickets will go on sale at 9:00 a.m. (MST) on Thursday. Let's fill the stadium with that dynamic energy and show the nation what it means to Bear Down!
 
TRACK & FIELD AT THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS



Arizona Track & Field has begun its quest for more championships in Eugene, Oregon. A dozen Wildcats are participating in the NCAA Championships and representing the University of Arizona on the biggest of stages. Five different Wildcats will compete in six different events on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The marquee track and field event is broadcasted by the ESPN Family of Networks as well as streamed on ESPN3 and WatchESPN.
 
Best of luck to Coach Harvey and the program as they continue their quest to add to the championship history and legacy of the University of Arizona. Click here for more information on our participation this week in the Pacific Northwest. Bear Down and Go Cats!
 
WILDCATS AND THE OLYMPICS



Did you know Arizona has produced 122 Olympians who have made 187 appearances at the Olympic Games while earning 74 medals? Wildcats have made history at the Olympics going back to 1952, and this summer's Tokyo Games will see the University of Arizona on the biggest stages of international competition once again. Dozens of Olympic hopefuls, comprised of current student-athletes as well as alumni, are set to compete at various Olympic trials. The Arizona Softball alumni trio of Dejah Mulipola, Taylor McQuillin and Danielle O'Toole Trejo have already punched their tickets to Tokyo for Team Mexico and Team USA.
 
You can follow the Olympic journeys of Wildcats for Tokyo at ArizonaWildcats.com/Tokyo, which includes tracking of all Arizona student-athletes and alumni competing to make their national teams. This page's content will also include Zoom press conference with Olympic hopefuls as they prepare for the trials of their specific sports. Bookmark that page to Bear Down at the Tokyo Olympics throughout the summer. We want to wish all Arizona competitors the best of luck towards their dreams of becoming Olympians.
 
THE WILDCAT WAY IN ACTION



The conclusion of the 2020-21 academic year capped an outstanding semester for our C.A.T.S. Student-Athlete Development program during a challenging year of a global pandemic. Developing student-athletes into champions outside of their sport and after graduation is a cornerstone of our Commitment to an Athlete's Total Success (C.A.T.S.) program, and we successfully fulfilled this important mission this year.
 
C.A.T.S. Student-Athlete Development is focused on empowering student-athletes to develop as community members, leaders, and future professionals. This spring, the department executed 22 total programs and events and had engagement from all 21 sports. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is one of the groups that excelled over the course of the 2020-2021 academic year. Read more about all they accomplished here.
 
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