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I want to open this week's Wildcat Wednesday email with a THANK YOU to all our fans and supporters who filled Arizona Stadium for our first home football game of the season. We had a tremendous atmosphere on Saturday night as the Wildcat Family supported our football student-athletes, coaches and fans. The environment was electric and full of dynamic energy as we had one of our biggest crowds in recent seasons. Many of you enjoyed pregame festivities and tailgating ahead of kickoff as our beautiful campus became the place to be in Southern Arizona. Thank you again for making Saturday special and for showcasing what it means to Bear Down.
Coach Fisch and the Wildcats are back at home this weekend as they welcome the North Dakota State Bison for an 8 p.m. (MST) game on Saturday with a television broadcast on FS1. Let's create another outstanding atmosphere with our Wildcat spirit to Bear Down. Please remember that gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff and to have your mobile tickets and parking passes downloaded to your mobile device before you leave for the game. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, please click here or dial 621-2287 (CATS) to purchase yours now. Thank you again for your support, and I can't wait to see you all at Arizona Stadium this Saturday.
Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022
It was my honor to be a part of the induction ceremony of our 2022 class of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. Eight Arizona legends officially received the highest honor bestowed on any Wildcat in front of the Wildcat Family. This year's class included national champions, Olympians, All-Americans and trail blazers who built legacies that proudly represent the University of Arizona. To see honorees in attendance, as well as the families of our posthumous award winners, pay tribute to the experiences that turned them into Wildcats for Life filled the evening with valuable memories. Congratulations again to this year's class of Arizona Sports Hall of Famers, and thank you for your legacies of pride, excellence and determination. Bear Down and Go Cats!
Back Home this Weekend
We're right back at it this weekend with Arizona Football's final non-conference game of the year vs. defending FCS champion North Dakota State on Saturday night in Arizona Stadium. We're expecting another large crowd, so we encourage all fans to arrive to Arizona Stadium at least 30 minutes prior to kickoff with your tickets downloaded. If you still need tickets, click here.
Last week, Arizona Stadium was brought to light by those in attendance who participated in our in-venue light show, Arizona Lights, during the third and fourth quarter break. We will continue that tradition all year – and utilize the light show at some of our other venues – so make sure to have the Arizona Wildcats app downloaded and opened as the third quarter is ending. Also in the app, be sure to get your Bear Down Games picks in for a chance to win gift cards and tickets!
Last weekend we also debuted a handful of new food options, including Sonoran Dogs, a crunchy nacho option, paletas and more. Keep our concession map handy to direct you where to eat on Saturday!
Big Week for Volleyball
Coach Rubio and Arizona Volleyball are returning home after two straight weeks on the road. The Cats enter the week 8-1 after sweeping the Aztec Invitational last week in San Diego. Friday kicks off an important stretch for the Wildcats, who will play four matches in six days.
Arizona hosts the Wildcat Invitational this weekend, welcoming Texas A&M Corpus Christi, UTEP and CSUN for the six-match event on Friday and Saturday. Next Wednesday, the Cats begin Pac-12 play with a huge match vs. Arizona State in McKale. Let's help the team stay hot by packing McKale!
Soccer Autographs on Sunday
Arizona Soccer wraps up non-conference play this Sunday vs. UC Davis in a key match as the Wildcats look to gain momentum heading into Pac-12 play.
The match begins at 1 p.m. at Mulcahy, but we invite all fans to join us for our pre- and post- match festivities. Pregame, we will hold a tailgate with face painting, sign making, games and other fun activities outside the stadium. After the match, the team will be signing autographs.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
Welcome Back Aari!
Last week we announced that Aari McDonald has returned to Tucson to join Coach Barnes' staff as the Director of Recruiting Operations. Aari is one of the all-time best Wildcats in any sport and someone beloved by the Tucson community, and we are thrilled to have her back on campus.
She joins a long list – including her former head coach – of Wildcat greats to return to Tucson and join our Arizona Athletics staff.
It's so great to have the three-time All-American and 2020-21 Pac-12 Player of the Year back on campus! Read more about her return here.
Updates to Policy
Arizona Athletics Concessions is changing its way of dispensing alcoholic beverages. New this year, there will no longer be ID checkpoints to pick up a wristband for fans over the age of 21. If you would like to purchase an alcoholic beverage, please have your ID ready while you are standing in line so you can be carded quickly at the register when you order.
WEAR THE COLORS – SHARE THE PHOTOS
Sophia Gonzales, 2, and Noah Gonzales, 10 months, children of Michael Gonzales, Class of 2011, celebrate a Wildcat Win all the way from Orlando, Florida!
Send us your photos of you wearing the colors!
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.
Bear Down and Go Cats!
Dave Heeke
Vice President and Director of Athletics
University of Arizona
uofaad@arizona.edu
