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BEAR DOWN IN SAN ANTONIO



The Big Dance continues for Arizona Men's Basketball in the NCAA Tournament, following Sunday's overtime win over TCU. The Wildcats are on to the Sweet 16 for the 19^th time in program history and will face 5^th seed Houston at 6:55 p.m. (MST) on TBS at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. The home of the San Antonio Spurs will be visited by plenty of members of the Wildcat Family who bring tremendous energy and passion to venues throughout the country.
 
If you are in Texas this week and want to Bear Down with fellow Wildcats, you can enjoy University of Arizona Alumni & Development's Sweet 16 Bear Down Tailgate on Thursday before the game. Smoke BBQ & Skybar will host the event, and you can click here for registration info. Fans can also enjoy our digital postseason guide from our friends at Arizona Wildcats Sports Properties.
 
March is a month for memories in college basketball, and Arizona Men's Basketball's postseason run continues on the biggest of stages and under the brightest of lights. Bear Down and Go Cats!
 
A SEASON OF PRIDE



The 2021-22 season came to an end for Coach Barnes and the Wildcats on Monday in their loss to North Carolina in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. This has been another season of incredible accomplishments by the team that we are all very proud of. Arizona Women's Basketball was able to earn the right to host and play in the NCAA Tournament in McKale Center for just the second time in program history as the team eclipsed 20 wins for a fourth consecutive season for the first time in program history.
 
The program's Wildcat Way excellence was also represented in the classroom as Sam Thomas became the first Wildcat in program history to be named a CoSIDA Academic All-American in back-to-back seasons.
 
There was much to be proud of with Arizona Women's Basketball this season, and I want to congratulate our student-athletes, coaches and staff on another terrific season. The future remains bright with the program, and we are excited to see those new chapters.
 
AN EXCITING WEEK OF ARIZONA BASEBALL



Arizona Baseball swept No. 12 Stanford in dramatic fashion, including three come-from-behind wins at Hi Corbett Field. The trio of wins marked our first sweep of the Cardinal on the diamond since 2015 as sophomore Chase Davis put on a show in Monday's finale with a pair of home runs that sailed by the roof of the Terry Francona Hitting Center in right field.
 
After a midweek tilt at New Mexico, the Wildcats return home for another Pac-12 series as the UCLA Bruins come to town. The electric action on the field will be rivaled by one of the best atmospheres in college baseball in the stands. We've also got a great promotion each night of the series, so check out the schedule page for more information. The series with UCLA begins with a 6 p.m. (MST) first pitch on Friday, March 25 and you can click here to get your tickets.
 
TITLE IX ANNIVERSARY



Our athletic department's celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Title IX continues throughout the spring and will culminate a special event on Thursday, June 23, hosted by Arizona Athletics. This event, which is being held on the exact day the landmark legislation was signed, will be for the Tucson community to come to campus for an educational and fun day learning from current and former student-athletes as well as trailblazers and other influential women throughout Arizona Athletics. The morning will consist of a field day for activities involving some of our programs with a lunchtime panel of speakers discussing the impact of Title IX and their path as female athletes and the growth of women's sports. Circle your calendars and make your plans for join us for the special celebration.
 
THE GYMCATS ARE NCAA REGIONALS BOUND



Arizona Gymnastics has been selected to participate in the NCAA Norman Regional at Lloyd Noble Center following an impressive final three meets of the regular season, scoring 196.300 and above in all three competitions. This is Arizona's third straight regional appearance and 33rd appearance all-time. The GymCats made history this season when they beat Utah for the first time in program history with a season best score of 196.850.
 
Arizona finished the regular season with a 196.300 NQS and will compete in a play-in meet against West Virginia on Wednesday, March 30 at 1 p.m. MST. The winner will advance to the eight-team round of the Norman Regional. Four GymCats were selected to compete as individuals in the postseason. Malia Hargrove (39.300 NQS) qualified for the all-around, Alysen Fears (9.870 NQS) qualified on the uneven bars, Sirena Linton (9.900 NQS) qualified on the balance beam, and Caroline Herry (9.895 NQS) qualified on the floor exercise.

COACH LOWE AND THE WILDCATS RETURN HOME



Arizona Softball returns to the friendly confines of Mike Candrea Field at Rita Hillenbrand Stadium this weekend to host Arizona State for a three-game series, beginning at 6 p.m. (MST) on Friday, March 25. There are still some tickets available for the series that start at just $5 for seniors, members of the military and children. General admission tickets are just $8.
 
This weekend's series versus the Sun Devils is our Pac-12 home opener and the first of three home series in four weeks. Let's start this stretch of home softball action with that dynamic energy our storied venue has become known for and cheer on our softball student-athletes.
 
FOOTBALL SPRING PRACTICES CONTINUES



Have you attended an Arizona Football spring practice yet? Coach Fisch and the program welcome all fans to catch the team in action at the Dick Tomey Practice Fields. Admission is free and practice is open to the public.

The team has a pair of practices this weekend at 3:40 p.m. (MST) on Friday and 12 p.m. (MST) on Saturday. Saturday's practice is scheduled to be held inside Arizona Stadium. Catch some football practice on your way to another home event later in the night to get your spring football fix. Renewed your season tickets yet? You can do so now or buy new season tickets for the 2022 season by clicking here or dialing 520-621-2287.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP EXCELLENCE IN THE POOL



The outstanding young women of Arizona Swimming & Diving proudly represented the University of Arizona at the NCAA Championships in Atlanta. The championship success was led by Delaney Schnell who was the NCAA runner-up in the platform dive and broke a school record in the 3-meter dive as well. Congratulations to Delaney and our eight other competitors on the women's side on another successful season. It's time to root on the nine Wildcats who will compete from the men's team at the NCAA Championships in Atlanta this week. Bear Down and Go Cats!
 
ARIZONA TRACK & FIELD IN ACTION



Our annual Willie Williams Classic at Roy P. Drachman stadium was filled with outstanding performances by our track and field student-athletes. The first meet of outdoor track season saw Arizona win a total of 14 events in two days.
 
The Wildcats' jumpers performed especially strong with Reinaldo Rodrigues winning the men's long jump with the eighth longest jump in program history at 7.75 meters. Arizona dominated the women's high jump with Talie Bonds, Lillian Lowe, Diana Ramos and Skylar Sieben sweeping the top four spots. The winning dominance continued in the pole vault as Katie Daily and Tanner Kippes made it a Wildcat sweep on the women's and men's side.
 
Our track and field program will continue its Wildcat Way excellence at the ASU Invitational this weekend in Tempe before hosting the Jim Click Shootout & Multis April 7 to 9. Follow ArizonaWildcats.com for all the action or follow @ArizonaTrack on social media.
 
CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTIAN BANKE



Graduate senior Christian Banke of Arizona Men's Golf earned a runner up finish at the Arizona NIT last week. Christian won the Arizona Intercollegiate earlier this year and followed it up with a 15-under finish at Omni Tucson National with three consecutive rounds of 67.
 
A member of our Pac-12 Championship team last season, Christian has finished in the top 10 of the individual leaderboards in six tournaments this season. Hats off to Christian on another excellent performance on the course and best of luck to Arizona Men's Golf in their next tournament action at the nationally-televised Western Intercollegiate in Santa Cruz, California.

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