Wildcat Wednesday - TERRITORIAL CUP VICTORY - University of Arizona Athletics

May 22, 2013

TERRITORIAL CUP VICTORY

Last weekend's baseball series victory against our rivals allowed us to keep the Territorial Cup Series Trophy for the fourth straight year! I'm not sure the victory could have come with a more thrilling ending, a double play to end the game with bases loaded in the bottom of the 9^th. It made the baseball victory and reclaiming the trophy even sweeter.

We discuss with our coaches regularly that if we want to once again be one of the Top-10 athletics departments in the country we first have to be strong in our state, which then allows us to be strong in our conference, which then allows us to be one of the top programs in the country. The Territorial Cup Series victory is an important first step for us.

SPEAKING OF BEING A TOP-10 PROGRAM

An important factor in maintaining and elite program that can complete as one of the top-10 athletics departments in the country is to be economical efficient. Written by Dennis Kramer, Winthrop Intelligence posted this article which is very interesting and encouraging regarding the efficiency of our athletics department. At the bottom of the article the author readjusts the Directors Cup rankings for NCAA athletics based on applying an expenditure proportional weight. We were tied with having the biggest jump in the top-10. Thank you to our fans who are investing in our department by supporting the Wildcat Club and purchasing season tickets.

HUGE SERIES TO CLOSE OUT BASEBALL SEASON AT HI CORBETT FIELD

Not only did Sunday's baseball victory of our rivals clinch the Territorial Cup Series trophy but it also gave the team's NCAA Tournament resume a nice boost. We're down to the final weekend of the regular-season and it's at Hi Corbett Field. Our team needs Wildcat Nation more now than ever as they are clawing to get an at-large berth for this year's tournament. Get to Hi Corbett Field for the last series. Arizona hosts USC on Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at noon. Check out this video preview with Coach Lopez and Brian Jeffries.

An important note regarding parking for baseball this weekend: We've coordinated with the city to have parking available at Randolph Golf Course. For Friday and Saturday's games, fans can park in the golf course lot on Alvernon and take a Cat Tran shuttle to the Hi Corbett Field front entrance. Golden, Platinum and Diamond Wildcat Club members have preferred (and reserved) parking on the southeast end of the Hi Corbett Field parking lot.

There are a number of special promotions this weekend. Friday's game is "Kids Take Over the Ballpark" Night, presented by Pima Federal Credit Union. Several lucky kids will have the chance to experience game day jobs throughout the game. Saturday's game is Military Appreciation Night. The first 500 fans will receive a free Arizona Wildcats dog tag. It's also Senior Night. Arrive early to honor the departing seniors who have been instrumental in many of the recent accomplishments of the program. Finally on Sunday it's the traditional "Sunday Funday" game. Select concession items are 50% off and after the game kids can run the bases. Get your tickets now! Call 520-621-2287 orpurchase online and try our print-at-home option for quick and easy delivery of your tickets right to your computer.

WELCOME HOME DAMON

Last Friday it was made official. Sean Miller filled the opening on his coaching staff with lettermanDamon Stoudamire. We couldn't be more excited for Damon, an Arizona basketball legend, to return to Tucson and be a part of our athletics department. To celebrate his return, we are offering a special price on 2013-14 men's basketball season ticket deposits. In honor of Damon's Arizona jersey No. 20, for the next 20 days you can reserve your seats to next year's highly anticipated season for a $20 deposit (normally $50). Click here to make a deposit or call 520-621-2287.

ROAD TOUR

The successful 2013 Arizona Road Tour wraps up the schedule tomorrow night in Pinetop. Click here for more information on how you can attend this free event. We'd love to see you up in the cool mountain air with us. Our first three stops have been incredible, with hundreds of UA fans stopping by to greet us and interact with our staff and some of our head coaches. Pinetop, we know you're going to help us finish strong! #pinetopiswildcatcountry

LOWELL-STEVENS FOOTBALL FACILITY VIDEO TOUR SERIES

Coach Rodriguez and I recently had an opportunity to take a tour of the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility. We brought a video crew along with us so we could give you a look at the facility as we enter the final stages of the construction process. This is the first video in a four-part series showcasing the new facility. We'll be releasing the videos in upcoming Wildcat Wednesday email. If you're a current Wildcat Club member and/or football season ticket holder you will continue to receive an advance preview before the Wildcat Wednesday goes out. Enjoy the tour! 2013season tickets are on sale now.

A-CLUB LETTERWINNERS UPDATE

Congratulations to this year's A-Club Silver Anniversary Award recipients, Burt Kinerk and Lisa Lovalla. This year's male recipient, Burt Kinerk, is an alumni baseball letterman. Burt graduated in 1957 with both an undergraduate and law degree from University of Arizona Law School. He has received many community accolades over the years including: Man of the Year, Father of the Year and voted one of the Best Lawyers in America. Burt was also voted as one of the 100 Tucson Sports figures of the Century. He has also served as a contract negotiator for several local and nationally-recognized sports celebrities including Lute Olson and Tedy Bruschi.

This year's female recipient is women's basketball letterwoman Lisa Lovallo. During Lisa's time as a student-athlete, she also served as Student Body Vice President. In 1992, Lisa started her own business, and 14 years later, returned to Tucson and began teaching as an adjunct professor at our very own Eller College of Management. In 2008, Lisa became the Vice President and Marketing Manager for Cox Communications. She was named the 2010 Women of the Year recipient by the Tucson Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to both Burt and Lisa for receiving such a distinguished and honorable award. You are both great leaders and role models for the University and your community.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

**Outdoor track and field is off to Austin, Texas to compete in the NCAA Outdoor Championships Preliminary Rounds. The events begin tomorrow and continue through Saturday.

**Women's golf is at the NCAA Championships, held through Friday, at the University of Georgia. Today's second round action was delayed due to lightning. Stay current on their quest for a national championship by following the team on Twitter @UAWomensGolf, at Facebook.com/ArizonaWomensGolf or visit ArizonaWildcats.com.

**As mentioned above, baseball closes out the 2013 regular-season with a three-game home series vs. USC. Friday and Saturday's games start at 6 p.m. Sunday's finale is at noon.

WEAR THE COLORS

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
Vice President for Athletics
University of Arizona
uofaad@arizona.edu