Nov. 16, 2011
LET'S DO IT RIGHT
Our final football game of the year will be played next week, Saturday, Nov. 26, against Louisiana-Lafayette. Kickoff will be at 2 p.m., and the game will not be televised. We'd like to have all our fans on hand. I realize our team has not been nearly as successful this year as we all anticipated, but our 18 seniors and the rest of the team and coaches deserve your support. We cannot have a top-tier program without top-tier fans and a lively atmosphere in Arizona Stadium. Let’s show the next head coach how much Tucson cares about Wildcat Football!
AND WHILE WE'RE DOING THINGS RIGHT
Don't forget, especially if you attend the UA-ASU football game in Tempe this Saturday,that we're always representing the University of Arizona, whether we are playing at Arizona Stadium or on the road. This is one of the great college football rivalries in our country, and it's best supported by exemplary sportsmanship. I understand the intense feelings this rivalry evokes and urge all of you in attendance Saturday to display good sportsmanship. You've seen the signs around our facilities: the University of Arizona has many traditions but bad sportsmanship isn't one of them.
COMPETING AMONG THE BEST
Our cross country runners depart at the end of the week for Indiana and the NCAA Cross Country Championships on Monday in Terre Haute. We had Lawi Lalang and Patrick Zacharias on the men’s side and Elvin Kibet, Jen Bergman and Elizabeth Apgar earn All-Region honors this Monday. Lawi will run as an individual in Terre Haute, while the Wildcat women will compete as a team.
ACADEMIC STANDARDS
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved changes to incoming student-athletes that effectively will intervene and impose an "academic redshirt year" for those who do not meet the new levels, beginning with enrollees in August 2015. Essentially, a 2.0 core course GPA in high school will remain the standard for admission, but a higher GPA would be required for student-athletes to compete their first year. Without going into detail, SAT scores also will factor in the equation for determining how much higher the GPA would have to be -- a "sliding scale" factor.
What it means for the University of Arizona and all institutions is that we need to adopt a more rigorous approach in identifying and recruiting student-athletes who can be successful in college. I do not think anyone bristles at this notion, but it will require more leg work and evaluation before a prospect ever steps on campus.
BLACK FRIDAY IS COMING
The holiday shopping season is here. It’s a time when shoppers and retailers prepare for the madness that is Black Friday. We’re getting ready for our own Black Friday on ArizonaWildcats.com. The details will be released to the public tomorrow, but here’s the scoop…
Starting this Friday at 10 am, tickets to the Louisiana-Lafayette football game will be on sale for only $10. As an added bonus, fans of the Arizona Athletics Facebook page can purchase tickets for only $5. The tickets are in sections 201-209. A reminder general admission tickets in the ZonaZoo area are currently available for $20. I mentioned before how important it is to have our fans fill the stadium on Saturday, November 26. These ticket specials are a great way to enjoy the final football game of the season and give our seniors a proper sendoff.
THANK YOU DAVE MAYO
We'd like to send our thanks to a retiring event attendant, Dave Mayo, for 42 years of service, notably outside my skybox at Arizona Stadium. Dave didn't miss an Arizona football game in that entire span and was a team player of note. There are lots of people like Mr. Mayo who help us manage game-day services, and whose assistance is well appreciated.
SCHEDULE NOTES
Women's basketball opens its home regular season with a game against Wichita State in McKale Center at 7 p.m. tomorrow (11-17)... The men's basketball team will be on the road in Madison Square Garden for the 2K Sports Classic Thursday night against St. John's and Friday against Texas A&M or Mississippi State... Our diving teams play host to the Wildcat Diving Invite Friday through Sunday at the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center... Our volleyball squad is on the road in Los Angeles to meet UCLA Friday night and USC on Saturday night, plus closes out the home season with a State Farm Territorial Cup match in McKale next Tuesday against Arizona State... And, of course, our football team hits the road this week for the Territorial Cup game in Tempe against ASU on Saturday... Good luck to ALL our teams!
50 YEARS OF FOOTBALL
This week we would like to recognize Craig Connelly. Craig has been a loyal football season ticket holder since 1952. Thanks for your outstanding support and loyalty Craig! We’ll continue to highlight season ticket holders of 50 years or more in the Wildcat Wednesday. Let us know if you think you should be on the list by e-mailing catsinfo@arizona.edu.
CATS ON THE COAST AND IN COAT
Below, left, are Wildcats Don and Natalie Willet in Positano, Italy. Their son, Sean, plays on the UA football team. At right is young Evan High, son of Matt High (MBA '09) enjoying some UA gear...
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
