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STUDENT-ATHLETE WELCOME BACK BBQ
We’re excited that all of our 480 student-athletes are back on campus and starting the fall semester, which for us, meant it was time for the yearly student-athlete barbecue. We open each year with a seminar to go over some of the most important topics we feel are essential as it relates to personal conduct and how we want to represent the University of Arizona.
After introducing the teams, coaches and staff to one another, we dug in to the content of the program. We provided updates on the various renovations going on with our facilities, spoke about the recent litigation involving collegiate athletics and provided some factual information on the value of the aid they receive from the department, including our most recent addition, the ‘Bear Down Brunch,’ which I’ll go into further in the next section.
We stressed the importance of academic integrity. We want our student-athletes to have a strong academic experience, and if improprieties enter the equation, then that goal can’t be achieved. We emphasized the importance of going to class and laid out the penalties for unexcused absences, which includes the loss of playing time.
We also informed the student-athletes of the University’s weapons policy, the University’s no smoking- and tobacco-policy and our drug-testing policy. We went into depth with the drug-testing policy so there wasn’t any confusion. The policy is enforced, but our main goal is to identify issues and provide support so that small issues don’t morph into long-term problems.
We spent an extended amount of time on sexual harassment and behavior that is prohibited under Title IX. This is something we’ve consistently emphasized, but as we see the number of cases rise on college campuses, we really wanted to focus on this area. There is no place for sexual misconduct, and certainly not within our athletics department, and we wanted to make that clear. We also expressed the importance of reporting any incidents.
Social media was another area we addressed. We highlighted some of our more dubious posts and reiterated how important it is for the student-athletes to represent themselves, their families, and the University properly in public settings. We want our young men and women to be engaged in social media, as it has clearly become a large part of our society, but we want them to do it in a fashion that accurately represents them and doesn’t leave others with a negative impression.
We want our student-athletes to be leaders, while making good decisions, and we hope that by stressing these elements immediately after they arrive on campus, we can promote positive behavior with the end goal of operating in a first-class manner.
BEAR DOWN BRUNCH
We were extremely excited to unveil the new ‘Bear Down Brunch’ to our student-athletes at the welcome back barbecue. As a part of the recently adopted NCAA legislation allowing student-athletes to receive unlimited meals and snacks, we formed a committee to see how this would best fit our department and determined this was a great way to take advantage of the new opportunity.
‘Bear Down Brunch’ will be available six days a week for each member of our current rosters, scholarship or walk-on. The brunch will be served in the Bear Down Kitchen Mon.-Fri. from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. It will also be available on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. This opportunity is available for student-athletes only and does not include coaches, staff or anyone not listed on a current roster.
The purpose of the ‘Bear Down Brunch’ is to provide a nutritional meal for all of our student-athletes without jeopardizing their financial aid or pell grants. The brunch will provide a number of options including most breakfast items, a smoothie bar and a brown bag service for student-athletes on the go.
We think this is a great addition to the things we’re already trying to do to provide our student-athletes with a great experience and we hope they’ll take advantage of it.
SEE YOU AT THE FOOTBALL GAME
Football is back! We couldn’t be more excited to open the 2014 season Friday night vs. UNLV. Tailgate lots open at 1:30 p.m. (make sure to encourage all of your tailgate guests to attend the game!). The Wildcat Walk is scheduled for approximately 5:30 p.m. and once again will start at the corner of Cherry and University. Wildcat Walk is a great tradition and gets our young men fired up before the game. If you’re tailgating, please make it a priority to join us for the Wildcat Walk.
Tickets still remain for the game, including the $10 adult and $5 kids (12 and under) seats. As I mentioned last week, the time is now to jump on board. This program is destined for big things. We want you to be a part of the journey. “Be The One” and get your tickets now. Click HERE or call (520) 621-CATS (2287).
NFL CATS GIVING BACK
Recently, the A-Club created a program to help alumni letterwinners give back to the Tucson community, while supporting Arizona Athletics. The program gives former letterwinners the opportunity to purchase a specific number of season tickets to be donated to local youth charitable organizations and elementary schools. This generous gift from letterwinners not only impacts the lives of youth in the Tucson community, but it also shows a continued commitment to Arizona Athletics.
Our first two letterwinners to participate in this program are Nick Folk, a former Arizona place-kicker who is now playing for the New York Jets, and Arizona’s all-time leading rusher Ka’Deem Carey, now a rookie with the Chicago Bears. Nick and Ka’Deem each purchased and donated 20 football season tickets to give back to the local community. Nick’s section will be called the “Folk Heroes,” while Ka’Deem’s section will be named “Team Ka’Deem.” We want to encourage all former Arizona letterwinners to participate in this program to help support Arizona Athletics, and most importantly, give back to the Tucson community.
These tickets are available upon request for all nonprofit youth organizations in the Tucson area. A formal request must be submitted to the Arizona Athletics Community Outreach program. Please clickHERE or contact the Community Relations staff at (520) 621-8461 for assistance in requesting tickets.
NEW AUXILIARY VIDEO BOARD READY FOR FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER
As we continue to work to improve the fan experience at our home football games, we’re happy to let you know that the new auxiliary video board in the northwest corner of Arizona Stadium has been installed and is ready to go for the season opener against UNLV on Friday. We really think this new board, which measures 36 feet by 20 feet, will be a great addition for our fans in the south end of the stadium and those sitting under the overhang on the east side. The content on the board will mirror what is being posted on the main video board in the south end of the stadium, so now fans throughout the facility should be able to see the great elements our video team is producing.
The auxiliary video board is just one of the many recent additions to Arizona Stadium and if you want to see what’s new for the upcoming season, you can visit our info page by clicking HERE.
WILDCAT REWARDS PROGRAM DEBUTS
As we reach the final countdown to Arizona and UNLV on Friday, we’re very excited to debut our Wildcat Rewards program. A few years ago, you may remember that we featured a similar rewards program that only incentivized social media activity. Wildcat Rewards will continue to do that, but will also reward our fans who sign-up for buying season tickets, donating to the Wildcat Club, and something we’re very excited about … rewarding tailgate passholders and their guests who purchase tickets to games.
This program is open to our entire fanbase, but rewards and prizes will be granted to three different groups: General fans (non-students), ZonaZoo students, and tailgate passholders. If you are a tailgate passholder, ZonaZoo member or UNLV ticket holder, more information will be emailed directly to you tomorrow outlining the program, but for now, I’d like to encourage you to sign up tonight. Just clickHERE and then click “Join Now” on the main page to register.
ARIZONA SOCCER HOME OPENER
After a two-game stretch in Florida to open the season, the Arizona soccer team will return to Tucson for their home opener at Mulcahy Soccer Stadium (15th & Plumer) on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. There will be a FREE poster giveaway and face painting when you arrive at the stadium. Don’t forget, season tickets are still on sale for only $50 for adults and $43 for youth and include all nine home matches, an exclusive Arizona soccer scarf and a chair back to use all season long. For tickets, more information and a full promotional schedule, call (520) 621-CATS (2287) or click HERE.
ARIZONA’S SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTORY
As most of you know, I’m very active on social media and we’ve worked as a department to utilize this tool to help tell the story of Arizona Athletics. We think it is an extremely important element that has become part of our everyday lives and we want to encourage you to get engaged.
We want to draw your attention to our Social Media Directory where you can easily find our official athletics accounts across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, You Tube, Google+, Pinterest and TuneIn. You can access that page at arizonawildcats.com/socialmedia, so check it out and make sure you’re following to receive all of the great content on these channels.
There’s another item I want to draw your attention to as it relates to social media. The Pac-12 Networks’ flagship show ‘Sports Report’ is incorporating a Top 12 plays segment and wants the fans to get involved. You can use the hashtag #12Best to highlight a play that you think deserves to be on the show. Obviously, we want all of Arizona’s great plays to be showcased so do me a favor and make sure to include the hashtag when you’re tweeting.
ARIZONA KIDCATS CLUB
Throughout the month of June, a contest was held where members of our kids club could submit their very own ideas for the new name of the club, which was formerly known as Club Arizona. We had over 80 creative submissions!
After deliberating on the most creative names, we narrowed it down to three and let the Club members vote on their favorite new club name. The overwhelming winner was Arizona Kidcats Club!
This creative name was submitted by our club member, Dani Mixer! She has won four tickets to the football season opener against UNLV on Friday, Aug. 29, a display honoring her creativity in the Jim Click Hall of Champions, and bragging rights. Thank you Dani!
Throughout the summer we have been hard at work to reinvent a kids club that will allow for the best experiences for our members. Club members should start to see these changes roll out throughout the school year. For more information, click HERE.
STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: ALEX MCMAHON (MEN’S GOLF)
Alex McMahon is a senior from Oro Valley, Ariz. and is majoring in business economics and finance. He was named Pac-12 First Team All-Academic in 2013 and 2014. In 2014, he earned Cleveland Golf/Srixon Academic All-American and All Pac-12 Honorable Mention. Then, this summer, Alex won the Arizona Amateur Championship.
Alex spends most of his time with friends and family. With his parents still living in Oro Valley, Alex frequently drops in for a home-cooked meal and family time. His plans for after college include playing professional golf on the PGA Tour. As of now, the goal is to turn pro at the end of the upcoming season and be ready to play in the fall of 2015.
Aside from golf, he would like to be a leader in the business world.
“I've always looked up to players like Greg Norman and Arnold Palmer who have created huge enterprises and world famous brands after their playing careers were over,” Alex said. “A dream of mine would be to one day open a sports-themed donut shop here in Tucson.”
When asked to reflect on his career, and what being a Wildcat means to him, he said, “Being a wildcat is something I'm very proud of. It means being a part of the McKale community and working hard with my teammates to represent the U of A and the city of Tucson in the best way possible.”
Be sure to follow Alex and the rest of the men’s golf team this year as they continue the Arizona legacy!
TWITTER TRIVIA
This week’s question wasn’t a tough one but we did have to sift through some incorrect spellings of the right answer. Congrats to @beardownblitz for being the 10th person to answer and spell the last name correctly. Here was last week’s question:
Q: Who was Arizona’s all-time rushing leader before Ka’Deem Carey broke the record in 2013?
A: Trung Canidate
Here is this week’s question:
Q: In what year did the women’s cross country team win its first conference championship?
In order to be eligible for the weekly prize, you must respond with your answer by tweeting to me @Greg_Byrne using the hashtag #ByrneTwitterTrivia. The 10th person to respond with the correct answer will be the winner. In addition, once you’ve won, you’ll have to wait at least six months to win again, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play along. I’m looking forward to awarding some prizes so good luck.
COMPLIANCE CORNER
With the beginning of the school year starting and fall sports beginning to host many events on our campus, we, as an institution, become more visible because we invite a large number of prospective student-athletes to campus for official and unofficial visits. As proud as I am of our enthusiastic and passionate fan base, it is important to take the opportunity to remind everyone of some NCAA rules when it comes to interacting with prospects. It is still against the rules to contact recruits or their families about the University of Arizona. In today’s world of social media, we must reinforce that all forms of recruiting communication (including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and any others) with any of our potential recruits is impermissible. We sincerely thank you for your cooperation.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Here is a look at the upcoming events for Arizona Athletics (Home events in BOLD). All times are listed as Mountain Standard Time. To purchase tickets for home events, click here. To access live stats from your desktop or mobile device, visit ArizonaLiveStats.com.
Thursday, Aug. 28
7:00 p.m.: Soccer vs. NAU
Friday, Aug. 29
4:30 p.m.: Volleyball vs. South Dakota (in Green Bay, Wis.)
7:30 p.m.: Football vs. UNLV (TV: ESPN) (Radio: TuneIn)
Saturday, Aug. 30
12:00 p.m.: Volleyball at Green Bay
4:30 p.m.: Volleyball vs. Kansas St. (in Green Bay, Wis.)
WEAR THE COLORS – SHARE THE PHOTOS
Thank you for wearing the colors and sharing your Arizona pride! If your photo submission did not make this week’s edition of the Wildcat Wednesday, please check our “Wildcat Wednesday” album at facebook.com/ArizonaAthletics.
NOTE: Please submit photos for Wildcat Wednesday with an original email to uofaad@arizona.edu using the subject line ‘Wildcat Wednesday photo.’ Also, please ensure all submissions are clear and properly lit. We also ask that you identify everyone in the photo so we can highlight them accordingly.
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