ADJUSTING TIMELINE FOR ARIZONA STADIUM RENOVATION
Over the last few weeks, you may have come across some news stories on a potential student fee for athletics that would be used as part of a three-pronged funding model (along with major gift donations and some type of seat construction fee) to help us address the critical renovation needs of Arizona Stadium. We’ve worked diligently with University and student leadership and have decided that more time is needed for further planning, research and discussion.
As part of the additional research, we are planning a more in-depth review of structural and code issues, while evaluating critical infrastructure needs at Arizona Stadium. We will better define the overall size and scope of the renovation project and more clearly understand how potentially completing the project in phases could impact cost.
We also think it will be important to continue our dialogue with student leadership. I met again with the Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC) last night and I met with the Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA) Senate today to update both groups. We’ll look to survey the student body this spring on amenities they’d like to see as part of a renovation, so that feedback can be included in any designs. We’ll then follow up with a second survey as renovation plans and funding models are being determined.
We’ve said from the beginning of this process that we want to be transparent, and we want to come to a solution that is acceptable for all involved. We believe we can get there through additional research, teamwork and dialogue. We’ll continue to share updates as we move through the process of making Arizona Stadium a meeting place for those on campus and in Southern Arizona that we can all be proud of.
CAMPUS, ATHLETICS TEAM UP FOR NCAA INNOVATIONS IN RESEARCH GRANT
We were excited to learn that our sports psychologist Dr. Amy Athey is teaming up with Dr. Michael Grandner from the College of Medicine – Tucson on a project that will focus on promoting healthy sleep and circadian rhythms in student-athletes. Even better, we found out earlier this week that the pair has been awarded an NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice grant to assist with this project.
According to Dr. Athey and Dr. Grandner, the study will center on how student-athletes sleep, and how their sleep is related to their levels of stress, social interactions, and physical and mental well-being. Then, some of the student-athletes will enroll in a program that will attempt to help them get better sleep at night by helping to solve sleep problems. This program will also test whether adding sleep-tracking technology and special lighting can help improve sleep and boost mental well-being.
This stuff is way over my head, but fortunately, we have a wonderful sports psychologist in Dr. Athey and a campus full of talented professionals who can explore initiatives like this further. This is another example of athletics departments and universities working to find ways to provide a first-class experience for our student-athletes. We’re looking forward to the results of this project.
If you’d like to read more about the grant, the project and those involved, you can read our full release by clicking HERE.
ALWAYS SPECIAL RECEIVING NOTES LIKE THIS
Last week, we received a note from a former Arizona baseball bat girl Niki Tilicki, sharing some feedback about a community service event where our baseball team hosted Wilson K-8 at Hi Corbett for Love of Reading Week. The following note came from one of the Wilson parents:
Just want to brag on a specific player for the baseball team. My son, Colton, was on the Wilson 4th grade field trip to read with the some of the players. He is in one of the special needs classes at Wilson. Robby Medel was so wonderful to him. He really connected with my son and made him feel very important. Robby gave him a bracelet that meant something to him, and he wanted my son to have it. And when my son was uncomfortable with the group photo, Robby made sure to sit with him and help him relax. Robby then proceeded to have the players take a photo with him. He really touched my heart and made my son feel special. Thanks for the wonderful experience.
As part of our five goals and principles, we ask that our student-athletes represent the University and athletics department in a first-class manner. We speak about our student-athletes being role models to youngsters in the community, so it’s nice to hear when they go out of their way to make a difference. Robby did that for Colton and I’m guessing Colton will now be a fan for life. Great job Robby and the baseball team and Bear Down, Colton.
SWIMMING & DIVING RECOGNIZED ON PAC-12 ALL-CENTURY TEAMS
As the Pac-12 continues it’s 100-Year Anniversary, the league continues to announce All-Century teams. Over the last few weeks, we’ve had a number of former student-athletes recognized on the swimming and diving All-Century teams, headlined by current director of operations Michele Mitchell being named Diver of the Century. Michele was a four-time All-American, nine-time national champion and a two-time Olympic silver medalist.
Joining Michele on the women’s All-Century team was Crissy Ahmann, Amanda Beard, Amy Van Dyken and Samantha Pickens. On the men’s side, current head coach Rick DeMont was recognized along with Kevin Cordes, Ryk Neethling and Ben Grado.
WINDOW CLOSING FOR EXCLUSIVE ARIZONA VS. BYU FOOTBALL TICKET SALES
One of the benefits of being a current Wildcat Club member and/or season ticket holder is having access to offers exclusively or before the general public. If you’re a Wildcat Club member and/or football season ticket holder, you currently have the ability to purchase tickets to the 2016 season opener against BYU in Glendale. I know it seems like a ways out, but take advantage of this opportunity to choose the best seats in University of Phoenix Stadium. This early purchase window closes in less than two weeks, Feb. 28 to be exact. Click HERE for more information on this game, including links to purchase online. Let’s show everyone Phoenix is Wildcat Country.
LAST TWO WOMEN’S HOOPS GAMES AT MCKALE
Come out and support the women’s basketball team as they play their final two home games in McKale this weekend. The Wildcats will begin the weekend on Friday, Feb. 19 when they face the Washington Huskies at 7 p.m. and then will wrap up their home schedule on Sunday as they take on Washington State at 1 p.m. We encourage fans to arrive early as we honor senior Keyahndra Cannon before the game for Senior Day. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by clicking HERE.
TIME FOR SOME TENNIS
Our men’s and women’s tennis teams are off to great starts. The women’s team is 6-2, while the men are undefeated. Both programs are hosting home matches this weekend. On Friday, the men host Nevada at 10 a.m. and the women host San Jose State at 2 p.m. The women play again on Saturday vs. Long Beach State at 1 p.m. and the men wrap-up the weekend with a home match against Denver at noon on Sunday. Both teams play their home matches at the Robson Tennis Complex, which is located just north of Gittings Lawn. Admission is always free. Hope to see you at some of the matches.
BASEBALL LETTERWINNERS STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE
As a part of their recent reunion, a group of baseball letterwinners came together and challenged their fellow teammates to make a donation and “pay it forward” to the current baseball team. This committee rallied the support of more than 60 former baseball players and presented a gift back to the program of $10,393. In the days following the reunion, the dollar amount grew to more than $13,000.
These funds will help the current baseball team in a variety of ways and assist with program expenses such as equipment and travel. Individuals who contributed $100 or more to the campaign also became Wildcat Club members and helped us raise the bar in providing the best possible experience for our student-athletes.
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:
Feb. 8 – Members of our KidCats Club were able to interview players on the baseball team in the Jim Click Hall of Champions. Student-athletes answered questions about life as a Wildcat and fun facts about themselves. You can see some of the interviews done by our KidCats at the upcoming home baseball games.
Feb. 11 – Members of the volleyball team visited Bonillas Elementary. As part of their year-long relationship through S’Cool Cats, student-athletes talked about the importance of academics and read their favorite books to the students as a part of their Love of Reading Week.
Feb. 12 – Katrina Konopka and Emma Schoettmer from women’s swimming and diving visited La Paloma Academy and Coyote Trail Elementary School and read to the students as a part of their Love of Reading Week.
Feb. 12 – Members of the gymnastics team visited their Wildcat fans at Diamond Children’s. The gymnasts delivered Journey Journals handmade by student-athletes to help patients record their feelings and cope with the challenges they are facing during treatments.
Feb. 12 – Football’s Brandon Dawkins visited Los Amigos Technology Academy as a guest reader for their Love of Reading Week.
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 Brandon Skalsky (@b_skalsky) 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:
#BearDown Arizona. #BearDown Red and Blue.
@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
The NCAA requires institutions to analyze the relationship between donors and prospects, current student-athletes, or former student-athletes whenever benefits are exchanged. The questions below will help you determine whether you have an established relationship with a prospect or student-athlete. If an established relationship is determined to exist, then the University of Arizona must analyze the types of benefits that were provided prior to the athlete becoming a prospective, current, or former student-athlete.
- Did the relationship between the athlete (or the athlete's parents) and the individual providing the benefit(s) develop as a result of the athlete's participation in athletics or the athlete’s notoriety related to his/her participation in athletics?
- Did the relationship between the athlete (or the athlete's parents) and the individual providing the benefit(s) predate the athlete's status as a prospective student-athlete?
- Did the relationship between the athlete (or the athlete's parents) and the individual providing the benefit(s) predate the athlete's status achieved as a result of his or her athletics ability or reputation?
- Was the pattern of benefits provided by the individual to the athlete (or the athlete's parents) prior to the athlete attaining notoriety as a skilled athlete similar in nature to those provided after attaining such stature?
The origin and duration of a relationship and the consistency of benefits provided during the relationship are key factors in determining whether the benefits provided are contrary to the spirit and intent of NCAA legislation. If the answer is “no” to any of these questions, the benefit may not be provided by the donor to the prospective, current, or former student-athlete.
For more information, you can check out our website by clicking HERE or contact the Compliance Office at (520) 621-4796.
ARIZONA NUGGETS
Track & Field’s 4x400-meter relay of Nnenya Hailey, Tatum Waggoner, Gia Trevisan and Sage Watson broke the indoor school record with a time of 3:33.29 … USA Softball announced its Female Athletes of the Year last week and our Softballprogram swept the awards with Kellie Fox earning Female Athlete of the Year and freshman Alyssa Palomino being named Junior Female Athlete of the year … With an average of 2,889 fans per meet, Gymnastics ranks 10th nationally in home attendance … Gabe York from Men’s Basketball became the 50th Wildcat to score 1,000 points when he eclipsed the mark against USC … Kolton Lapa from Men’s Golf tied for fourth individually at the Northern Trust Open Collegiate Showcase, while helping the team of PGA Tour pro Ricky Barnes and amateurs Jeremy DeFalco and Tim Garigan to a second-place finish … No. 58 Women’s Tennispicked up three victories over the weekend by a combined score of 16-1.
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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