Nov. 10, 2011
ABOUT ARIZONA FOOTBALL
We owe football coach Tim Kish considerable gratitude for his leadership of our program the past four weeks. He stepped into an unenviable position and helped foster some team harmony and a continuing positive outlook for the future. None of us like being 2-7, but we know we'll be in good shape as we move forward with a new coach. I want to thank our fans for making the Homecoming game a good experience for the many alumni who returned, and hope you'll join us for the season home finale Nov. 26 against Louisiana-Lafayette. Please come out and say goodbye to our senior class, they would appreciate your support. With a good portion of our students off campus for Thanksgiving, we are offering general admission tickets in the ZonaZoo area for only $20. These sideline seats are open to all fans on a first-come, first-served basis.
In the meantime, we're moving forward in the renovation of Arizona Stadium. We expect to break ground on the North End Zone facility in January, 2012, and also are considering options for new seating in the South End Zone. While we do not have details to share at this time, we feel this, too, will result in some dramatic improvement in our fans' game-day experience.
PAC-12 RIGHTS AGREEMENT
The Pac-12 Conference announced on Monday the creation of an integrated multi-media platform and website portal that will aggregate all members' local audio-visual and website rights, along with some sponsorship categories. The league worked with IMGCollege (our partner) and Learfield Sports and those entities as Pac-12 Enterprises together will retain all local, national and satellite radio rights, as well as other assets. Basically, Pac-12 Enterprises will host, manage and market all members' official websites for a common digital platform. The bottom line is that you, the customer, will see a strengthening of the Pac-12's image and its distribution of various digital programs.
WHAT A CLASSY GROUP
Hats off once again to the outstanding individual former Wildcats inducted last Friday into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. It's amazing to attend the ceremonies and hear the different stories of triumph from those chosen for the prestigious Hall. We're often so close to these people and their accomplishments that we lose sight of just how special they are. Congratulations to swimmers Simon Burnett, Lyndon Ferns and Marshi Smith; former swimming coach Frank Busch; runner Robert Cheseret; volleyball's Kim Glass; baseball's Trevor Hoffman; softball's Alicia Hollowell; and the late Shawtinice Polk of women's basketball.
And a special thanks to the over 300 Arizona Letterwinners who returned to campus homecoming weekend. You continue to be extraordinary examples and role models to our current student-athletes. It was great to see everyone and we appreciate your continued support.
XC IS OFF TO REGIONALS
Our cross country teams travel to the NCAA West Regional Championships in Palo Alto, Calif., this Saturday and have outstanding chances to make an impact and move our teams forward to the NCAA Championships Nov. 21 in Terre Haute, Ind. Best of luck to all our runners. Bear Down!
RUN JENNIE, RUN
Congratulations to former UA softball star Jennie Finch on an impressive performance in this past Sunday’s New York City Marathon. Not only did she finish her first marathon with a great time, but she also raised over $30,000 for a non-profit youth group by passing fellow marathon runners. As part of a sponsor promotion, $1 for every person passed would be donated. Jennie started the race dead last and ended up passing 30,397 out of 47,438 marathon runners. It’s great to see our student-athletes, both former and present, help those who are less fortunate.
SCHEDULE NOTES...
Our men's basketball team plays tonight in McKale against Duquesne in the 2K Sports Classic tournament (7 p.m., ESPN2)... Women's hoops will be at Georgia Southern on Friday and at GeorgiaState on Sunday... Our swimming and diving teams continue the fall season with a meet Friday at HillenbrandAquaticCenter against USC (3 p.m.), with the women meeting UCLA on Saturday (11 a.m.)... The football team travels to Boulder,Colo., for a Pac-12 game against Colorado on Saturday (12:30 p.m., FCS Pacific)... Our volleyball team playsUtah on Friday (7 p.m.) and Colorado on Saturday (7 p.m.) in McKaleCenter... The men's tennis squad will play in an invitational in Sarasota, Fla, on Saturday...
50 YEARS OF FOOTBALL AND HOOPS
Continuing the new Wildcat Wednesday tradition of recognizing season ticket holders of 50 years or more, we would like to introduce you to Joan and Jerry Tolle. The Tolles have held both football and men’s basketball season tickets since 1960. Jerry lettered in baseball here at Arizona from 1953-55. We received a great response from fans letting us know they have held season tickets for 50 years or more. Keep those e-mails coming to catsinfo@arizona.edu if you would like to make sure you, or someone you know, is on our list.
MIDWESTERN CATS
Below, Wildcat Michael Crawford is surrounded by (left to right) his nieces Kaylee, MyKenzie and Lilly, and nephew Jordan in a recent gathering in Ohio. Lots of red and blue for a state full of Buckeyes!
Continue to do what you can to help Arizona Athletics and:
- Join the Wildcat Movement
- Buy Season Tickets
- Wear the Colors (Especially on Friday)
- Get Others to Do the Same
Bear Down with Pride,
Greg Byrne
Director of Athletics
University of Arizona
uofaad@arizona.edu
