Feb. 15, 2013

Twenty-two home events in three days ... an Arizona Wildcat fan's dream-come-true. Whether you prefer the diamond, the hard wood or the clay court, we have an event for you.

It starts Friday with head coach Vicky Maes' women's tennis team. The squad is off to a 4-3 start with a 3-1 record playing in the friendly confines of the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center. Led by junior Kim Stubbe and Lacey Smyth, the Cats host Fresno State at 1:30 p.m. on Friday and Santa Clara at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Head coach Mike Candrea and Arizona softball host their home opener as part of the Hillenbrand Invitational this weekend. Hillenbrand Stadium is home to 15 games this weekend, including Arizona's matchups against Nebraska at 4 p.m. and Drake at 6 p.m. on Friday, Southern Utah at 4 p.m. and Purdue at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Utah State at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Senior infielder Brigette Del Ponte and junior hurler Shelby Babcock paced the squad to a 3-2 record at last weekend's tournament and look to collect some more wins on their home field.

Let's not forget our defending national champion baseball team, also poised for its home opener on Friday. The Wildcats, loving life at invigorated Hi Corbett Field, welcome Coppin State for a three-game series this weekend. Game times are set for 6 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. Sunday. Head coach Andy Lopez's roster includes some of the best in the collegiate game, including Golden Spikes Award candidates Johnny Field and Konner Wade.

The women's basketball team and head coach Niya Butts host an important Pac-12 tilt at McKale Center this weekend. The Cats will play Colorado at 7 p.m. Friday and Utah at 5 p.m. Sunday. Sunday's game marks the #Play4Kay contest. Fans are encouraged to join in breast cancer awareness day, sponsored by the University of Arizona Medical Center, who will be on-site to educate fans on ways to prevent breast cancer. Fans are encouraged to wear pink clothing, while the first 500 in attendance will receive a pink pom-pom. All cancer survivors in attendance will be honored during the game.

A special treat this weekend for head coach Tad Berkowitz and the men's tennis team as they will host two matches at the Reffkin Tennis Center in Tucson. A special tailgate BBQ has been planned for 11:30 a.m. Saturday prior to the 12 p.m. match with New Mexico. On Sunday, the Cats will host UC-Riverside, also at the Reffkin Center. UA is off to a 5-1 start and hasn't lost at home this season.

The ladies of head coach Bill Ryden's gymnastics team will host Nebraska at 4 p.m. Saturday at McKale Center in their third home meet of the season. The team will be "Flipping for the Fight" in the annual breast cancer awareness competition, donning special pink leotards.

Wear the colors, and throw in some pink, and support our student-athletes and coaches at any or all events. It truly is a great weekend to be a Wildcat.