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STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
We've highlighted Jill Aguilera of Arizona Soccer several times in Wildcat Wednesdays as she continues to climb up the all-time scoring list in program history. With 28 career goals, Jill is third in career scoring behind Gabi Stoian (29) and Mallory Miller (32).
Jill's time as a Wildcat has been one of excellence both on and off the field. A Third Team Academic All-American last season, her career has embodied one of our Wildcat Way core values; determination.
Read our ArizonaWildcats.com profile on Jill and her Bear Down spirit of determination.
BEAR DOWN WITH ARIZONA BASKETBALL
We are less than two weeks away from the unofficial start of basketball season with the First Watch Red-Blue Game in McKale Center. Saturday, Oct. 2 will be a first chances for fans to see Coach Lloyd and the Wildcats take the floor in our annual season-opening celebration. Tickets for the game start at just $7 and you can lock in your seats now by
clicking here.
McKale Center is a storied venue, and its atmosphere for games is unrivaled. That excitement will be on display for the First Watch Red-Blue Game and throughout the season. If you haven't purchased your season tickets yet for 2021-22,
there is still time to do so.
Bear Down, Go Cats and we will see you in McKale Center on Saturday, Oct. 2 for a 3 p.m. tip off for the first of many exciting days of Arizona Basketball.
VOLLEYBALL CONTINUES ITS EXCELLENCE
Arizona Volleyball swept the Wildcat Classic in impressive fashion over the weekend by picking up three wins without dropping a single set. Coach Rubio and the Wildcats are now a perfect 6-0 at home in McKale Center this season and are preparing to begin Pac-12 play.
Puk Stubbe was dominant in Arizona's last three wins and
was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week. Puk tallied 26 kills while hitting 39.6% and is continuing the Wildcats' recent history of dominating freshman awards. Sofia Maldonado Diaz won Pac-12 Freshman of the Week three times last season, which was a program record on the way to becoming the conference's Freshman of the Year.
The Cats play at Arizona State on Thursday at 6 p.m. (MST) on Pac-12 Networks before returning home for a Sunday tilt versus Oregon State at 12 p.m. (MST). The team will sign autographs for fans after the match against the Beavers, and
you can get your tickets for Sunday here.
BUY YOUR WOMEN'S HOOPS TICKETS AND BEAR DOWN
The start of official practice is just around the corner for Arizona Women's Basketball, and
Coach Barnes and the team are already putting in the work for another successful season. Last year's magical run to the national championship game not only solidified our program's place among the nation's elite, but it created tremendous momentum moving forward.
It has been over 550 days since the Wildcats have played in Tucson in front of the best fans in the country, and I know many of you can't wait to cheer on the Wildcats in person. The 2021-22 season is fast approaching, and you can ensure your seats to Bear Down
by purchasing your season tickets if you haven't already. I look forward to seeing you all in McKale Center this season and supporting this fantastic program together as one.
HISPANIC HERITAGE NIGHT AT ARIZONA STADIUM
Hispanic Heritage Night, through some rain, was a tremendous celebration on Saturday, and our performances from mariachis and folklorico dancers capped off our annual recognition of Southern Arizona's dynamic cultural and community experience. Our festivities at football games are just the beginning of Arizona Athletics month-long honoring of Hispanic heritage as we continue to support the University of Arizona's commitment to harness the power of diversity.
While we didn't get the result on the field that we wanted on Saturday, Arizona Football remains focused on the process to build a program of excellence. Our program is continuing this process with hard work, resiliency and determination. Our next game is Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. (MST) at Oregon on ESPN before a bye week. Our next home game is Family Weekend on campus as we host UCLA on Saturday, Oct. 9. Family Weekend is a favorite time of the year with friends, family members, and loved ones visiting our beautiful campus and community to Bear Down.
VISIT FROM COMMISSIONER KLIAVKOFF
As you may have seen last week, Arizona Athletics welcomed new Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff to campus. Commissioner Kliavkoff
met with our local media as part of his listening tour while meeting with many of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and campus partners.
George is a dynamic leader with a tremendous background in sports media and entertainment, which has shaped his extraordinary vision for the entire Pac-12 Conference. His passion for the student-athlete experience, growth of the Pac-12 as a brand and the championship pedigree of all 12 institutions creates excitement with those he meets and chats with. Our staff felt inspired and energized after meeting with him, and I know many of you feel the same way after seeing him speak.
SOCCER BEGINS PAC-12 PLAY
Arizona Soccer begins conference play this week at Washington State with a 5 p.m. (MST) match on Friday, Sept. 24 on the Pac-12 Networks. The start of Pac-12 play is an excellent challenge for any program, and we look forward to watching Coach Moros and the Wildcats compete and proudly represent the University of Arizona.
Visit
ArizonaWildcats.com for your gameday information as well as links to watch and follow the live stats. As a reminder to fans,
ArizonaStats.com is our dedicated site for live stats for all our games and matches for your favorite Wildcat team.
RED-BLUE INTRASQUAD FOR SWIMMING & DIVING
We will see another one of our outstanding programs begin their season with Arizona Swimming & Diving holding their Red-Blue Meet at the beautiful Hillenbrand Aquatics Center. Both our women's and men's teams are poised for terrific seasons in the pool with numerous All-American returners and talented newcomers.
Fans can make their way down to campus to watch the Wildcats hit the pool on Friday, Sept. 24 with gates opening at Hillenbrand at 2:30 p.m. (MST). Bear Down and Go Cats!
CATS IN WASHINGTON D.C.
I had the privilege to be a part of the University of Arizona's panel on Name, Image and Likeness at UArizona's Washington, D.C. Center for Outreach and Collaboration this morning. The panel included our department's innovative "Arizona EDGE" program with Sam Thomas from Arizona Women's Basketball, head men's basketball coach
Tommy Lloyd and Arizona Men's Basketball alumnus Matt Muehlebach among other notable speakers.
Highlighting Arizona Athletics' outstanding NIL program in our nation's capital was a proud moment, and a testament to our department's position as a national leader in serving student-athletes through our Wildcat Way strategic initiatives. Arizona EDGE is just one of the tools Arizona Athletics
has developed to provide opportunities for our student-athletes to become academic, athletic and life champions.
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
