University of Arizona Athletics

            TUCSON, Ariz. - The Arizona baseball program will welcome back its former players this weekend for the Jim Click Alumni Game. Game time for the event is set for 12:30 p.m. at Jerry Kindall Field at Frank Sancet Stadium. The program will honor the 50-year reunion of the 1956 CWS runner-up team, the 30-year reunion of the national champion 1976 team, the 25-year reunion of the 1981 team and the 20-year reunion of the 1986 national championship squad.

Gates open at 11 a.m. and fans will able to enjoy the new-look Kindall Field as the players warm up and seek autographs from the alumni and the current squad for about an hour. At noon a home run hitting competition between the alumni and the 2006 Cats will precede the seven inning exhibition game between the two squads. Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno will guide the alumni squad as this year’s guest manager.

“I’m looking forward to this weekend,” head coach Andy Lopez said. “It’s a great chance for all of the individuals and teams that helped make Arizona baseball what it is get recognized. I also think it’s important for our current team to have a chance to see what you can get out of a program like this.

“The group that comes back can share an insight into what it takes to be successful not only on the baseball field, but in life too. There are some that have made a pretty good living in baseball, but there are many others that have taken advantages of opportunities outside the game as well.”

The events on Sunday are a culmination of a weekend of activities planned for the returning alums. Friday night, after the annual golf tournament, the group will gather for a banquet and reception hosted by the Arizona athletic department. The group will then meet up again on Saturday at a local restaurant to watch the Arizona basketball game on television. Prior to heading out to the field on Sunday, the athletic department and the Shoeless Joe Committee will host a brunch for all of the players participating.

Alumni That Will Be Heading Back To Campus