July 16, 2012
TUCSON - The University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee has selected seven individuals and two NCAA Championship teams (listed below) for induction into the University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will honor this induction class during Homecoming Weekend November 9-10, 2012.
Robert "Jake" Arnold, Track & Field, 2002-03 - 2006-07
Clarence L. "Stub" Ashcraft, Letterwinner and UA Athletic Events and Facilities Coordinator, 1947-1982
Jenna Karadbil, Gymnastics, 1991-92 - 1994-95
Rick LaRose, Men's Golf and Water Polo, Head Coach 1973 - 2012
Caitlin Lowe, Softball, 2003-04 - 2006-07
Whitney Myers, Women's Swimming & Diving, Swimmer 2003-04 - 2006-07
Adam Ritter, Men's Swimming & Diving, Swimmer 2003-04 - 2006-07
2006 NCAA National Champion Men's Swimming 800 Freestyle Relay Team (Simon Burnett 2006, Lyndon Ferns 2006, Tyler DeBerry 2006, Adam Ritter 2007)
2012 NCAA National Champion Baseball Team
On the evening of Friday, November 9, the University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held followed by a hosted reception. On Saturday, November 10, the newly inducted honorees will also participate in the Homecoming Parade and the weekend's events conclude with a halftime presentation on the field of Arizona Stadium, during which time the inductees will be introduced and recognized as a 2012 Sports Hall of Fame member.
FACTS: The University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame
The University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1976 with a charter membership of 18 individuals and two teams. With the induction ceremony to take place homecoming weekend, November 9-10, 2012, membership will be a total of 315 individuals and 40 teams.
Membership includes those who laid the foundation for Arizona's athletic success; including Art Luppino, James "Pop" McKale, Mary Roby and Mo Udall, as well as those who have continued to push Arizona Athletics into the national spotlight, such as Sean Elliott, Tedy Bruschi, Lorena Ochoa and Chrissy Ahmann.
Plaques describing the athletic accomplishments of all Sports Hall of Fame members hang in the hallways of McKale Memorial Center, and are marked in bronze on the walkways of the Eddie Lynch Athletics Pavilion Plaza on the north side of McKale Memorial Center.
Former student-athletes become eligible for the University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame induction five years after completing their athletics eligibility. Championship teams are eligible immediately following the exemplary season.
Each year, the University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee, composed of administrators, faculty, staff and alumni, reviews the accomplishments of hundreds of alumni student-athletes who have been privileged to wear the University's cardinal red and navy blue. The Committee's task is to identify those few who meet the qualifications for induction.
Selection is based upon the candidate meeting one or more of the following criteria: First-team All-America, NCAA Champion, world record setter, Olympic medalist, NCAA statistical leader, professional athletic success, distinguished him/herself as a "pioneer" student-athlete or significant contributor to UA Athletics while at the University or after graduation. Nomination forms can be found at www.ArizonaWildcats.com under Traditions & Heritage.
