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NEW WAYS TO SUPPORT STUDENT-ATHLETE NIL OPPORTUNITIES

The Wildcat Family has continued its support of Arizona student-athletes since the enactment of Name, Image and Likeness legislation by the NCAA in July of 2021. Loyal supporters and key members of the Southern Arizona community have developed external and independent opportunities, outside of the University of Arizona, for student-athletes to engage in NIL activities through the creation of two new collectives.



The Arizona Assist Club and the Friends of Wilbur and Wilma Collective will serve as new organizations aimed at connecting businesses within the community and the Wildcat Family's extensive network with student-athletes for NIL opportunities. These new entities will aim to connect student-athletes with businesses, help grow opportunities for student-athletes to serve the Southern Arizona community and make an impact at home.

Built specifically for Arizona Men's Basketball student-athletes, the Arizona Assist Club will connect fans to the men's basketball program and student-athletes like never before. The Arizona Assist Club has established a member-driven website and exclusive marketplace for Wildcat basketball fans to receive unique benefits, merchandise, memorabilia, and opportunities to engage with student-athletes through VIP events and experiences.



The Friends of Wilbur and Wilma Collective is a NIL venture that will support the creation and development of NIL business opportunities for all student-athletes of Arizona's 21 athletic programs. Founded by loyal Wildcat supporters Cole Davis and Humberto Lopez, Friends of Wilbur and Wilma will utilize Blueprint Sports technology to learn more about supporting Arizona student-athletes NIL opportunities and connect with them.

These two new entities are NIL opportunities in addition to the athletics department's Arizona EDGE program, which was created in conjunction with the University of Arizona, the Rogers College of Law, Eller College of Management and INFLCR among others. Arizona Athletics is excited to see its community continue to support NIL opportunities of Arizona student-athletes.
 
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION CONTINUES



Arizona Athletics is continuing its celebration of Black History Month, which has grown as a showcase of how Arizona Athletics utilizes the power of diversity and inclusion. Black History Month, along with other cultural celebrations and holidays, are key recognitions by our entire athletics department that include wonderful collaborations with our campus partners.
 
In addition to announcing our special celebratory t-shirts for sale at UA Bookstores, our men's and women's basketball programs have been donning these special shirts for warmups all week. Halftime of our men's basketball game versus USC included a tremendous performance of traditional African dancing and drumming from the Barbea Williams Performing Company. We also saw outstanding content being released by programs on social media.
 
We will continue celebrating black history throughout February with additional recognitions, collaborations and performances that you will see in Wildcat Wednesday emails.
 
PAC-12 HONOR ROLL

Arizona Athletics would like to officially congratulate our 42 Wildcats who earned a spot on the Pac-12 Fall Honor Roll. The 42 honorees mark the most Arizona student-athletes on the Pac-12's Fall Honor Roll since the conference created the academic award in 2019.
 
This impressive showing is the most recent achievement in our athletics department's continued record-breaking success in the classroom. Our student-athletes raise the bar of academic achievement each year as they continue to fulfill our Wildcat Way mission of developing academic, athletic and life champions.
 
RENEW YOUR SEASON TICKETS NOW



Last week marked the beginning of our season ticket renewals for football, men's basketball, women's basketball, volleyball and soccer. The gameday atmosphere for these proud programs is powered by our fans, alumni and loyal supporters who fill the stands for every game and match. The Wildcat Family cheering on the outstanding young women and men in our programs is a foundational piece of our Wildcat Way student-athlete experience. It's what help makes Arizona Athletics special!
 
Don't wait until the deadline of Monday, May 2 to renew your season tickets. Make your plans to Bear Down with the Wildcats in 2022-23 today! Haven't purchased season tickets in the past? New season ticket sales for our ticketed sports are also now on sale.
 
WOMEN'S HOOPS FACES ASU



The historic 2021-22 season of Arizona Women's Basketball continues with the team spending another week in the top 10 of the national polls. The Wildcats swept the Oregon schools at home in impressive fashion as the McKale Center crowds showed off the tremendous connection between our fans and our program. The two games saw nearly 18,000 fans fill McKale Center with Wildcat energy and pride, setting program records.
 
This week is the annual home-and-home weekend versus Arizona State with the Wildcats traveling to Tempe for a 7 p.m. (MST) tip off on Friday, Feb. 11. Arizona will host the Sun Devils at 12 p.m. (MST) on Sunday, Feb. 13. If you don't have tickets yet for Sunday's game, you can click here to be a part of this historic season. Sunday's game will be a RED OUT, so get your best red gameday gear ready for Sunday.
 
We also want to congratulate Cate Reese on being named to the Naismith Trophy Midseason Team. This is yet another important honor for the senior's long and illustrious career as a Wildcat. Bear Down Cate, and we can't wait to see you and the rest of the Wildcats back on the court.
 
SOFTBALL OPENING DAY



Thursday marks the opening day of the 2022 Arizona Softball season and the start of the Caitlin Lowe era. The beginning of softball season at the University of Arizona is always an exciting time as we begin new chapters of the storied legacy of this outstanding program. As Coach Lowe begins her tenure as head coach, the Wildcats have a top ten national ranking and were picked to finish third in the preseason Pac-12 poll.
 
We have already set a new season ticket record ahead of Thursday's opening game versus Southern Utah at 6 p.m. (MST) at Mike Candrea Field at Rita Hillenbrand Stadium. There are still a few seats available in Candrea's Corner in the outfield for purchase. Bear Down, Go Cats and we will see you at Hillenbrand Stadium on Thursday evening.
 
FLOSPORTS PROMO



Arizona Athletics has partnered with FloSports to stream softball games this season during home tournaments for games that do not include a Pac-12 team. Neutral site games are already scheduled for tournaments hosted by Arizona, beginning with the Mike Candrea Classic this weekend that includes Alabama, New Mexico and Southern Utah.
 
FloSports will carry a total of 25 softball games over the four tournaments hosted by Arizona in February and March. You can watch the exclusive streams for these games by purchasing packages for $29.99 for a month or $150.00 for a year. Click here for more information from FloSports.
 
MEN'S BASKETBALL CONTINUES TO ROLL



Coach Lloyd and the Wildcats' dominant victory at Arizona State on Monday night gave the program its 20^th win of the season while solidifying first place in the Pac-12 standings. With a national ranking of fourth, the Wildcats hit the road this week to the Washington schools as we reach the home stretch of conference play. Arizona is back in action on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. (MST) at Washington State for a Fox Sports 1 broadcast.
 
This week began with more honors and accolades for the program as sophomore Azoulas Tubelis became the third Wildcat this season to be named Pac-12 Player of the Week. Azoulas followed in Christian Koloko's and Bennedict Mathurin's footsteps after averaging 16.0 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 54.2 percent from the field in wins over No. 3 UCLA and No. 19 USC.
 
GYMCATS WELCOME ASU TO MCKALE



The Arizona GymCats will be hosting Arizona State this Saturday at 5 p.m. MST in McKale Center. The GymCats are coming off a terrific team performance at Washington where they earned a season high team score. It will be a RED OUT in McKale and the GymCats will be signing autographs after the meet. You don't want to miss this rivalry meet full of amazing gymnastics. You can purchase meet tickets by clicking here.
 
GIVING DAY

In celebration of Valentine's Day as well as the state of Arizona's birthday, Monday, Feb. 14 is the University of Arizona's Annual Giving Day. Giving Day is a 24- hour university-wide effort to inspire Wildcats in the University of Arizona community to make a gift in support of the people, places, programs that make the university extraordinary.
 
Arizona Athletics is committed to building academic, athletic, and life champions. With your support, Arizona student-athletes will be able to achieve excellence in competition and in the classroom. For this year's Giving Day, we're focused on two priorities within our athletics department. One current focus is The Lute Olson Men's Basketball Endowed Scholarship for Excellence supports men's basketball scholarships in honor of legendary Coach Lute Olson. Another focus is the Men's and Women's Golf Facility. The new Men's and Women's Golf facility includes locker rooms, coaches' offices, and a short game practice area which will propel our golf programs towards future generations of All-Americans and team championships. 
 
Please consider supporting Giving Day this upcoming Monday. For more information, click here.
 
PAC-12 TOURNAMENT TIX



Ready to make your postseason plans with both of our basketball programs? The Pac-12 Conference has put all-tournament passes and single-session tickets on sale for the 2022 Pac-12 Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments in Las Vegas. The action-packed week of fun begins with the Pac-12 Women's Basketball Tournament at the Michelob Ultra Arena inside Mandalay Bay from March 2 to 6. You can click here to purchase your passes, tickets or find more information about discounted hotel rates.
 
The 2022 Pac-12 Men's Basketball Tournament will take place from March 9 to 12 at T-Mobile Arena where the Wildcats won the 2017 and 2018 titles. Click here for information on passes, tickets and lodging.
The Wildcat Family has made Las Vegas the home of "McKale North" for the conference tournaments, and we look forward to seeing the Wildcats take over again. Make your plans now to join us for some elite Pac-12 basketball tournament action.
 
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