UPDATE ON PAC-12 NETWORKS AND DIRECTV
As many of you are probably aware, the Pac-12 was recently presented with a proposal by AT&T, who acquired DirecTV over the summer, in an effort to add the Pac-12 Networks to the DirecTV lineup. As much as we all wanted this to happen, after careful consideration and a lot of discussion, the conference’s Presidents and Chancellors decided to decline the deal. There is a lot of information floating around, but basically the reason was there were legal concerns and demands for guarantees that just went too far for the league’s universities.
We know that a number of you have been asking the league to find a way to get the Pac-12 Networks on DirecTV. We’re extremely disappointed that we were unable to come to an agreement as we know this makes it difficult for some of you to watch our events. We remain committed to reaching an agreement that puts the Pac-12 Network on DirecTV, and we would welcome a proposal that makes that partnership possible.
In the meantime, with negotiations stalled, we encourage you to switch to a provider that carries the network. If you’d like to learn more about the cable and satellite providers who carry the Pac-12 Networks in your area, click HERE.
WEATHER AND OUR HOME EVENTS
With the weather wreaking havoc on the build up to our season-opening football game with UTSA and shortening our home soccer match last Sunday, we wanted to share some information about the policies we abide by as it relates to weather concerns. We monitor the weather, including lightning, very closely around our events. Our number one concern is the safety of our student-athletes, fans and staff.
As it relates to lightning, we get ready to go into safe mode when there is a strike within a 10-mile radius of the event, and once a strike registers within an eight-mile radius, we initiate our weather plans to clear facilities and tailgate areas. At that point, fans should seek shelter in their cars or available buildings. We then wait 30 minutes after the last lightning strike registers in that eight-mile radius to resume normal activities including competition.
We know this can be an inconvenience and it certainly isn’t something we have to deal with on a regular basis, but we wanted you to be aware so when these situations arise, you’ll understand why we’re doing what we do. If you are attending an event that is affected by weather, please cooperate with our event staff as they are enacting plans that are put in place to ensure your safety.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
A QUICK UPDATE ON SEASON-LONG STADIUM SEATS
We wanted to give everyone who has ordered a stadium seat for the football season a quick update. We had a big challenge fulfilling all orders for the season opener with UTSA due to a number of orders being placed after the Aug. 24 deadline. We did our best to get all of the orders filled, but unfortunately, there were some that weren’t ready to go for the first game. On the positive side, the balance of the season-long stadium seats will be installed for this week’s game against NAU. If you have any issues during the game, please visit one of the bleacher sales locations for assistance from our friends with IMG College Seating.
TWO BIG ARIZONA ATHLETICS HOME EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
Dave Rubio has the volleyball team off to another fantastic start. We are 8-1 and ranked 16th in the nation. The team will host the Wildcat Classic this weekend, highlighted by a marquee match vs. No. 2 Texas on Friday night. The Longhorns are a volleyball power and one of the highest profile programs to come to McKale for a non-conference match. Whether you’re a volleyball season ticket holder or just a general fan of Arizona Athletics, I’m calling on all Wildcat fans to be at McKale Friday night. A packed arena can make all the difference in helping our Wildcats defeat the Longhorns and set the stage for a special season.
We have a combo ticket offer, which is a real bargain. Fans can get a ticket to the volleyball match vs. Texas on Friday night AND a ticket to the football game vs. NAU on Saturday night for just $15. Two great events for just $15. Click HERE and enter the promo code: FBVBCOMBO2015 to take advantage of this offer. We’ll see you Friday night at 7 p.m. for volleyball vs. Texas and Saturday night at 8 p.m. for football vs. NAU. Be There!
RED OUT VS. UCLA
Rich Rodriguez has the team focused on Saturday’s home game vs. NAU, and while we never want our team looking ahead to the next game, we wanted to update you on some info for the UCLA game. Our TV partners have elected to utilize the six-day selection window to determine the kickoff time for the Sept. 26 game with the Bruins. The exciting news is this home game is being considered for the national primetime TV game. The fact that it’s being considered is a testament to the hard work of our football program and the magnitude of this match-up. I hope you already have your tickets for the game. If you don’t, you can get them online by clicking HERE.
We’re calling for a RED OUT vs. UCLA. Get your favorite red Arizona gear ready or pick up the UA Bookstore’s official Red Out t-shirt. You can pick it up at all A-Store locations, including the one at McKale, or click HERE to buy online. Get your tickets. Wear RED. Be There!
TRAVEL TO ANAHEIM TO SUPPORT THE CATS
Our friends at Bon Voyage Travel now have travel packages available for the Wooden Legacy basketball tournament held in Anaheim, Calif. over Thanksgiving weekend. We’re hoping to see Wildcat Nation take over Southern California for a few days. The Wildcats will play Nov. 26, Nov. 27, take Nov. 28 off and then conclude the tournament on Sunday, Nov. 29. Packages include a spot on the charter flight from Tucson to Anaheim and back, ground transportation while in Anaheim and four nights at the Hilton Anaheim. Tickets to the games are guaranteed for those who purchase a package, but they will be charged separately from the McKale Ticket Office. Click HERE for more information or to reserve a spot.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SEASON TICKET HOLDER BONUS PRIZE WINNERS
In case you missed it at the UTSA football game, we are giving away some great prizes to football season ticket holders who attend the game. The first season ticket holder bonus prize winners were announced in the second half of the UTSA game. Aaron Gopp won a collection of Arizona swag. Ernest Palomino won a GoPro and Lawrence Nitka won a new Smart TV. Congratulations and thanks for being a season ticket holder! Make sure to visit our Customer Experience booths at the NAU game to learn more about this special promotion. One is located on the north concourse by section 34 and the other is in the south concourse behind section 15.
BE THE NEXT HONORARY CAPTAIN FOR THE VOLLEYBALL TEAM
Attention Arizona KidCats! You can be the next Honorary Captain for our volleyball team. All you have to do is fill out our contest form (Click HERE to access) and submit an original work of art that describes what it means to Bear Down.
Four winners will receive two tickets to a Sunday game, an official Honorary Captain t-shirt, a pregame introduction, the opportunity to stand with the team during the National Anthem and a signed mini-volleyball.
Please submit your entry and form by Monday, September 21st at 5 p.m. to Natasha Harrison either through email (naharris@arizona.edu) or by dropping it off in person to the Jim Click Hall of Champions, located in the north portion of McKale Memorial Center (1 National Championship Dr, Tucson, AZ 85719). For additional information regarding the contest, please call (520) 621-0503.
Each participant must be an Arizona KidCats Club member. If you are not an Arizona KidCats Club member, join for free today at ArizonaKidCats.org.
CATS IN THE COMMUNITY
Arizona’s student-athletes continue to be active in the community. Here is a sample of what they’ve done recently:
Sept. 10 – As part of the S’Cool Cats program, where our sports teams are paired with classrooms to build an ongoing relationship throughout the year, the soccer team attended Lulu Walker Elementary’s Math Night. The student-athletes participated in the evening’s activities to help make learning fun and exciting for the students.
Sept. 12 – Rising Star Baptist Church brought youth down to campus for a special meeting with our men’s track and field and women’s basketball teams. The boys and girls from the church were able to hear the student-athletes share experiences and advice about balancing athletics and academics as well as self-esteem and building confidence in yourself.
Our student-athletes are looking to continue volunteering in the Tucson Community. If you know of a non-profit that would benefit from the helping hands of our student-athletes, please let us know by submitting an online request by clicking HERE. We won’t be able to fulfill every request, but we try to get to as many as we can.
TWITTER GIVEAWAY
Congrats to Shivanna Johnson (@peanutflower3) for being selected as this week’s winner of the #ByrneTwitterGiveaway. A member of the athletics department staff will DM you with more information on how to secure your prize so make sure you’re following @AZAthletics.
Here is this week’s Twitter giveaway message:
I'll be at both the @ArizonaVBall match vs Texas on Fri. and the @ArizonaFBall game vs NAU on Sat.
@Greg_Byrne #ByrneTwitterGiveaway
Each week, we’ll provide a phrase accompanied by the twitter handle @Greg_Byrne and the hashtag #ByrneTwitterGiveaway for Wildcat Wednesday subscribers to tweet. We’ll select the winner(s) at random and announce in the following edition of Wildcat Wednesday. We hope you’ll have some fun with this and participate each week. As long as we’re seeing a lot of participation, we’ll keep the giveaways going throughout the year.
COMPLIANCE CORNER
We wanted to provide a reminder about the NCAA’s ‘Don’t Bet on It’ campaign. Both student-athletes and athletics department staff members are prohibited from gambling on any NCAA-sponsored sport at either the college or professional level. This includes participating in fantasy leagues that award a prize and require a fee to participate. Fantasy football leagues, March Madness pools, Super Bowl games, Las Vegas sports books, or any other activity that requires a person to risk something of value in exchange for participation is not allowed. In addition, student-athletes and department staff members may not provide insider information to anyone who does place bets on college or professional sports.
ARIZONA NUGGETS
Volleyball’s Penina Snuka, who has been named to the all-tournament team in each of Arizona’s last two weeks, leads the Pac-12 with 11.37 assists/set and is ninth with 3.43 digs/set … Soccer’s Sheaffer Skadsen scored a dramatic equalizer in the 89th minute to help the Cats tie No. 18 Texas Tech, 1-1, last Friday. It was Skadsen’s first career goal in the run of play as the central defender’s other two goals came from the penalty spot … Football’s Nick Wilson rushed for 194 yards and three TDs in our win at Nevada. The Cats are now 8-0 when Wilson rushes for at least 100 yards … Lauren Marker from Women’s Tennis was ranked 43rd in the ITA’s preseason singles poll … Baseball’s Jett Bandy, who played here from 2009-11, made his Major League debut on Monday with the Angels.
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 touofaad@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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