A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM A DEDICATED WILDCAT

We received a letter addressed to Coach Rodriguez from longtime Wildcat Glenn Van Loan that we want to share with you.

Coach Rod,

I read an article in the paper this morning and felt compelled to write this note to you and the team; namely because it made me really angry. I simply want you all to know that there are fans in Tucson like my daughter and me, that do NOT measure our support for Arizona Football and the athletic department based on wins and losses. Don't get me wrong, I really really really hate losing as much as you do; however we are WILDCATS FOR LIFE. John "Button" Salmon is in our blood. We have been season ticket holders since the 2003 football season and I have never considered the value of that investment based on our Win/Loss record. We are a Wildcat family, as much as you are part of the Wildcat Football team. We are "in this" for life, and will be there every game. We arrive before you come on to the field and we don't leave, "NO MATTER THE OUTCOME", until the U of A Band leaves the stadium. Win or lose, we follow the band to Alumni Plaza for a few songs and the ringing of the bell from the USS Arizona, because we are WILDCATS FOR LIFE. We are in this with you. I know in my heart that every single one of you takes winning and losing personally; and that like me, you hate the very idea of losing. When I come to the stadium, I know that each of you brings the spirit of John "Button" Salmon with you, and is fully committed to BEAR DOWN for 60 minutes. Know this, that every game, my daughter and I will be right there, in section 21, row 34, seats 13 & 14, yelling, clapping and supporting you for the full 60 minutes as well. I believe that success in life is a personal decision. Make no mistake, that success is based on the attitude we all bring every single day. When we wake up in the morning we each make a conscious decision to make the day in front of us great, or not; and it shows up in the actions we each put forward. I chose every day to be a WILDCAT FOR LIFE, with no conditions. Each of you represents the University of Arizona, my school, your school, our school; and I know all of you bring the attitude necessary every day to create success. I will always do my part, to be the kind of fan that each of you want to have at every game.

BEAR DOWN!!

Glenn

Thanks Glenn for writing the kind letter to Coach Rodriguez. We know it's been a tough year so far, but we thank our fans who have shown their continued support for Arizona Football. We will rebound from this and a good game against WSU this weekend will be a great start. Bear Down!

ARIZONA STADIUM RENOVATION FEEDBACK

As was shared two weeks ago in the Wildcat Wednesday, we are in the process of gathering information, ideas and feedback for renovation options of Arizona Stadium. The feedback from our fans will play a big part in the process. Monday, we launched an online survey with questions specific to this project. If you didn't receive the survey, but would like to participate, click HERE to begin. It's a short survey that should only take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thanks to everyone who has already submitted a completed survey.

WILDCAT SPIRIT EXPO SET FOR THIS FRIDAY IN SCOTTSDALE

With the delay in sending Wildcat Wednesday last week, we want to make sure you had the opportunity to see this information on a great event scheduled for this Friday from 2:30-5 p.m. at The Phoenician in Scottsdale. The Wildcat Spirit Expo will give attendees a chance to explore 20 interactive exhibits, including one on OSIRIS-Rex, meet with alumni in the business world, learn about how the UA supports students before, during and after college, and speak with faculty about programs and initiatives available at Arizona.

In addition to speakers from the Alumni Association and the Alumni Career and Professional Development Lab, UA President Ann Weaver Hart will have a big announcement on the University's Arizona NOW campaign. UA Student Affairs/Enrollment Management will also be in attendance to help prospective students learn more about becoming a Wildcat.

If you'd like to attend or need more information, click HERE.

CELEBRATE DAVE RUBIO'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Volleyball is set to honor head coach Dave Rubio's 25th anniversary this Friday as we take on No. 9 UCLA at 6 p.m. There will be a special pregame presentation to honor Coach Rubio as well as a volleyball alumni and letterwinners recognition after the second set. The first 500 fans will receive a free t-shirt! Tickets start at just $8 when purchased in advance. We hope to see you at the McKale Center cheering on Coach Rubio and our talented volleyball team this week. Click HERE to buy your tickets today.


 

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL HOSTS EXHIBITION

Come catch Coach Barnes and the women's basketball team in action when they begin their season against Western New Mexico in a preseason exhibition game on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. in McKale. Send a picture of you voting or your "I Voted" sticker to Arizona Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and receive a discounted ticket to the game. For tickets or more information, call (520) 621-CATS (M-F, 9-5 p.m.) or click HERE.

REMINDER ON UPCOMING MCKALE TICKET OFFICE HOURS

With a couple of holidays coming up over the next few weeks, we want to alert you to some variances in the McKale Ticket Office operating hours. The ticket office will be closed on Friday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veteran's Day. Later in the month, the ticket office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 24 for Thanksgiving and will open at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25 in preparation for the football game against our rivals. Please plan accordingly and if you have any questions, feel free to contact our Ticket Office at (520) 621-CATS (M-F, 9-5 p.m.).

TWITTER GIVEAWAY

Congrats to Valerie Chiovetti (@ValChi) for being selected as this month'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.

Once a month, 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 at random and announce in a Wildcat Wednesday the following month.

Here is this month's Twitter giveaway message:

Good luck to @APlayersProgram and @ArizonaWBBall as they begin their seasons.
@Greg_Byrne #ByrneTwitterGiveaway

UPCOMING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

To view the list of upcoming events, broadcast information, start times and stat links, click HERE. (Note: All times are listed as Mountain Standard Time, i.e. Tucson time.)

To access live stats from your desktop or mobile device, visit ArizonaLiveStats.com.

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 on Fridays.

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.




 

Continue to do what you can to help Arizona Athletics and:

1. Accept the Bear Down Challenge
2. Buy Season Tickets
3. Wear the Colors (Especially on Friday)
4. Get Others to Do the Same

Bear Down with Pride,

Greg Byrne
Director of Athletics
University of Arizona
uofaad@arizona.edu