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CELEBRATING TITLE IX ANNIVERSARY



As we approach the 50^th anniversary on June 23, 2022 of the enactment of Title IX, Arizona Athletics is kicking off a celebration and recognition of Title IX's impact on women's sports across the country and right here at the University of Arizona. We will be telling the powerful story of women's sports at Arizona, and the generations of Wildcats that graduated from our programs as athletic, academic and life champions.
 
Our Title IX Anniversary central page will be the home of the rich legacy and tradition of women's sports at Arizona Athletics as we continue to add new content to the page throughout the coming months. We started things off with a BearDown Podcast interview with one of Arizona's trail blazers. Rocky LaRose was a softball student-athlete who went on to be a historical icon as a key leader in the athletics department for nearly four decades.
 
Our athletics department's ongoing tributes and celebrations will culminate with an exciting, soon-to-be-announced event being hosted by the athletics department on June 23, 2022. Please join us in celebrating this important milestone and the outstanding young women who have lived the Wildcat Way, fulfilled their dreams of becoming college graduates and proudly represented this great University through the passage of Title IX.
 
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL OFF TO LAS VEGAS



Fresh off their Senior Day win over USC, Coach Barnes and the Wildcats are off to Las Vegas for the Pac-12 Tournament at the Michelob Ultra Arena inside Mandalay Bay. Arizona is the fourth seed with a first-round bye, which means the first game will be at 1 p.m. (MST) on Thursday, March 3 versus Colorado. The Pac-12 Networks will carry all the tournament's games with the exception of the championship game, which will be broadcasted on ESPN2. Click here to view the complete bracket from this year's tournament and view ticket information here.
 
The Pac-12 Conference released their postseason awards on Tuesday and a trio of Wildcats earned well-deserved accolades. Senior Cate Reese was named to the All-Pac-12 Team for a third consecutive season while Sam Thomas earned All-Pac-12 and All-Defensive Team honors. Junior Helena Pueyo was named All-Defensive Team honorable mention for the first time in her career.
 
We want to wish Arizona Women's Basketball good luck in Las Vegas. We know the Wildcat Family will be cheering you on in person as well as from across the country. Bear Down and Go Cats!
 
SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE



March marks the beginning of spring football, and Coach Fisch and the Wildcats want to see you at a practice! Our next spring practice will be Tuesday, March 15 at 3:25 p.m. (MST) at the Dick Tomey Practice Fields. All spring practices are open to the public and free to attend. Arizona Football's practices will culminate with the Spring Game, which is scheduled for 12 p.m. (MST) on Saturday, April 9.
 
We can't wait to see you at practices this spring as we prepare for an exciting season of Arizona Football.
 
ARIZONA GYMNASTICS' HISTORIC WIN



Congratulations to Arizona Gymnastics on its historic victory over No. 4 Utah this past weekend, which marked the program's first-ever win over the Utes. This was a tremendous moment to witness as our GymCats had been competing proudly all season and achieved true greatness in McKale Center. The winning effort earned Elena Deets a Pac-12 Coaches' Performer of the Week award. You can rewatch this monumental night with our meet highlights.
 
Coach Court and the Wildcats are back in action this week when they host Oregon State at 6 p.m. (MST) on Friday, March 4 inside McKale Center. Tickets for all home meets are just $5 for seniors, youth and veterans and $8 for the general public. Click here to purchase tickets now, and we will see you Friday night in McKale.
 
MEN'S HOOPS RETURNS HOME



Arizona Men's Basketball returns to Tucson for its final two home games of the season after clinching the Pac-12 regular season championship in a 91-71 win at #16 USC on Tuesday night. The nationally-televised win was the perfect exclamation point to a regular season title, and the team was able to clinch with two games still remaining. Congrats to our student-athletes, coaches and staff on winning a Pac-12 title.
 
This week's games in McKale Center begin with Stanford at 7 p.m. (MST) on Thursday, March 3 on ESPN2 and Wildcats Radio 1290 AM. Arizona has won 10 of its last 11 meetings against the Cardinal in McKale and look to improve that record. Thursday's game will also be our Tribute to Lute Olson Game as we honor our Wildcat coaching icon.
 
Senior Day will be Saturday, March 5 at 3 p.m. (MST) on Pac-12 Networks as we honor our lone senior, Justin Kier, before the game alongside our senior student managers. Justin is a graduate transfer who has played a key role in this season's historic success. Even though he only spent his final year of eligibility as a Wildcat, Justin called coming to Arizona "the best decision I have ever made in my life." We have a limited number of tickets available for both games, so click here to buy now.
 
ARIZONA WOMEN'S TENNIS WINS AGAIN



With a win over No. 26 Alabama to cap their run at the Blue Gray Tennis Classic in Alabama, Coach Stotland and the Wildcats are off to a strong start at 8-2. The team's eight wins also include a perfect 3-0 start at home where it will host three matches this week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This week's action at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center will begin with the Pac-12 opener versus Washington State at 11 a.m. (MST) on Friday, March 4 followed by the Washington Huskies at 12 p.m. (MST) on Saturday. Admission is free for all home matches, so join us for some tennis action this week.
 
BEACH VOLLEYBALL HOME TOURNAMENT



Have you attended a volleyball match at Bear Down Beach yet? This week is a perfect time to enjoy some Arizona Beach Volleyball when it hosts the Cactus Classic with a pair of doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday. The first official home matches of the season begin on Friday, March 4 at 11 a.m. (MST) with Santa Clara before a 3 p.m. (MST) showdown with Boise State. Saturday's schedule includes matches against Colorado Mesa and Hawai'i at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. (MST).
 
Arizona Beach Volleyball is coming off an outstanding run of championship excellence over the last three seasons as the program continues to rewrite its record book. The atmosphere at Bear Down Beach is fun and a terrific way to enjoy our beautiful weather in Southern Arizona. With free admission, bring your family down to campus to Bear Down with the Wildcats!
 
THE WILDCAT INVITATIONAL AT HILLENBRAND



There is more tournament action coming to Mike Candrea Field at Rita Hillenbrand Stadium this weekend as the program hosts the Wildcat Invitational. Iowa State, Boise State, North Dakota, Texas State and Loyola Chicago make up this year's field, which means there is a great slate of games all weekend for fans to enjoy.
 
Arizona is off to a 10-4 start after participating in the Mary Nutter Classic last weekend. Our atmosphere for home softball games has been electric this season as the Wildcat Family continues the legacy of this storied venue. Click here to get your tickets for the Wildcat Invitational.
 
COACH SHIELDS AND THE WILDCATS



Arizona Men's Tennis will return to the friendly confines of LaNelle Robson Tennis Center where the team has a perfect 8-0 record. The Wildcats will face Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. (MST) on Friday, March 4 to open a jam-packed weekend of events at Arizona Athletics. Our crowds have brought dynamic energy to home matches this season, and we want to continue to grow our gameday environment. Admission is free for matches, and we will see you this weekend.
 
MORE BASEBALL AT HI CORBETT

After Tuesday's walk-off win over Dixie State, Arizona Baseball is off to an 8-1 start, which marks one of the best starts to a coaching career in program history. Coach Hale and the Wildcats have four upcoming games to end a 10-game homestand, beginning with a series opener versus Texas State on Friday, March 4 at 6 p.m. (MST). The three-game series with the Bobcats over the weekend will see the high-powered Wildcat offense return to work that has scored eight or more runs in seven of its nine games this season.
 
Hi Corbett has continued its legacy in 2022 as one of college baseball's top venues, and our new concessions operator Aramark, is continuing to enhance our fan experience at the ballpark. You can Bear Down with the Cats in person this weekend by purchasing your tickets now.
 
COMPLIANCE CORNER

Wildcat fans and donors, with the spring semester competitions underway please keep in mind that student-athletes are provided complimentary admissions to events in their sport to use for their friends and family. These complimentary admissions cannot be traded or sold without impacting the student-athletes' eligibility. Additionally, NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes and staff from gambling on events or providing insider information to those who can gamble. Please keep this in mind as you have conversations with our staff and student-athletes. If you have any questions about these reminders, please reach out to the Compliance Office at (520) 621-4796.

 
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