Athletics Director Greg Byrne's weekly email discussing Wildcat Athletics
April 18, 2012
THANKS, TUCSON
Our football Spring Game was held last Saturday after morning rain and gloom, and still managed to draw a good crowd of around 5,000 to a baseball facility off campus. That says a lot about interest in our program. OurYouTubepage has a great video recap of the game, including having Coach Rodriguez and Matt Scott mic'd up. Click here to watch. Thanks to all who came (and to all at Kino Stadium who helped), and while we're at it, thanks to EVERYONE in the Wildcat Movement, near or distant. Our progress in grabbing as firm a grip as we possibly can on state, national and worldwide attention is working. We're not trying for any second places. Our drive for championship and elite-level status on and off the fields is something toward which we will continually Bear Down.
CONFERENCE TELEVISION
I've been asked quite a few times about the Pac-12 Conference television arrangements for 2012 and beyond. Much is to be determined but I can outline a few things. The league's contract with ESPN (ABC) and FOX will result in televised games similar to previous years -- those selected either in the late spring (hasn't happened yet), or those chosen during the season each week. (We're talking football here.) Those would be the presumed marquee games of the week with full national coverage. Then, the Pac-12 Network, through its regional affiliates throughout the league, will show ALL other games which, too, would be available nationwide on cable. (Some satellite contracts are still TBA). Also, the Network will be available digitally (computer, mobile, tablets). If you're out of state following the Wildcats we don't have the exact answers as to which system you should subscribe, or what tiered sports package for each of those systems you might need. But, the bottom line is that every UA football and men's basketball game will be shown live, along with what amounts to a total of half a thousand Pac-12 events including Olympic sports, and all our fans will be able to watch. Do, as one writer suggested, look carefully for the final word from the Pac-12 about Pac-12 Enterprises/Network and all its iterations. The league promises a weekly and consistent 'game-finder' type app to help people find what they want. If all this sounds confusing, it is, but our Conference is taking extremely proactive steps to get it all done for you the consumer. We'll help as we can by sharing updates and any new information as soon as we have it. For now, this is what we know. And remember, if you're in Tucson, the easiest way to follow your Arizona Wildcats is to buy season tickets and to attend our events!
SPLITTING THE PAYMENT
Fans that haven't renewed their football season tickets and/or Wildcat Club charitable gifts (including men's basketball priority) should receive a reminder postcard this week. The renewal deadline is less than two weeks away, May 1 to be exact. We have offered a payment plan during this renewal period which allows you to divide the cost of your tickets and Wildcat Club gift into two equal payments. Friday, April 20 is the last day to take advantage of this option. I can't stress enough how important it is to have everyone renew for next season. We have aspirations to take Arizona Athletics to new heights, but we can't do it without the complete support of our fans. Visit our renewal webpage for details on how you can renew your football season tickets and Wildcat Club charitable gifts.
HITTING THE BOOKS
Last week we cited swimming and diving student-athletes doing well in the classroom. This time it's track and field honors. Those named to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (indoor track arm of our league) All-Academic teams include Edgar Rivera-Morales, James Eichberger, Lawi Lalang, Bozidar Antunovic and Kevin Jani on the men's side; and Alex Weatherly, Erin Menefee, Tamara Pridgett, Elvin Kibet, Liana Fuentes, Melanie McGrath, Brigetta Barrett, Taylor Freeman, Jen Bergman, Germe Poston, Taylor Bush and Shapri Romero. That's a long list and many kudos to these and all our students who take their schoolwork seriously.
2012 ROAD TOUR IS COMING SOON
Our staff is working hard and preparing for this year's Road Tour. We're excited to travel across the great state of Arizona and visit our fans outside of the Tucson area. Our scheduled stops include: Nogales - May 9, Tempe - May 16, Sierra Vista - May 21, Yuma - May 23, Pinetop - June 4. Complete details, including times, event locations, and RSVP forms can be found on our Road Tour web page. If you're in one of these areas I would love to meet you in person. Click here to go to the Road Tour web page and RSVP for the event nearest you.
50 YEARS OF FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS
Continuing the tradition of recognizing football season ticket holders of 50 years or more, please meet Keith Hamilton. Keith and his wife Pat have been season ticket holders for 55 years, in which they have attended nearly every football and men's basketball home game. Keith was a faculty member of the Plant Sciences department at the University of Arizona for 47 years before retiring in 1990. They have three children, including one who competed on the University of Arizona cross country team from 1976-1981. In addition, their granddaughter, Lisa, is the current UA Pomline coach. Thank you for your continued support Keith and Pat!
SCHEDULE NOTES
* Women's tennismeets ASU in a match at 1 p.m. Friday at the Robson Center on campus. Try to come and help support our team as it tries to secure a point in the State Farm Territorial Cup Series, which we currently lead 7.5 to 4.5. As always, admission is free.
* Gymnasts Aubree Cristello and Katie Matusik will compete as individuals at the NCAA Championships starting this Friday in Duluth, Ga. They made the meet on the basis of their performances at regionals a week ago.
* Track and Field will send a contingent to the prestigious Mt. SAC Relays in greater Los Angeles this Thursday through Saturday.
* Baseballis on the road for a three-game series in Seattle against UW Friday through Sunday. (Have to say the series last weekend against UCLA at Hi Corbett Field emphasized all the positives from our move to that venue. It's a great home slightly away from home!)
* Men's tennis will travel to the Pac-12 Championships starting next Wednesday.
--GOOD LUCK TO ALL OUR TEAMS. BEAR DOWN!--
TALLEST BUILDING, AND A MYSTERY
Below, a photo of Mary Lou Ogden and the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, in Dubai. At bottom, what we presume to be a wedding cake ceremony sent by Ryan Clay. He didn't say if it was a wedding, identify any of the people in the photo, say if he was the groom... but he did say "Maui is Wildcat Country." Those are priorities...!
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