May 26, 2011

VIDEOBOARD GOING UP

Check out this webcam feed of the new Arizona Stadium scoreboard and video board now under construction. It shows a view from the Student Recreation Center across East Sixth Street. Crews are building the foundations for the supports that will hold the huge board over the south end of the stadium. The new fan experience this addition will add to our games will be amazing. The finished board is the size of a basketball court and puts everyone close to the action and other spectator involvement. Web cams provide a real-time view of the action, so don't expect a high-energy video.  Here are some pictures of the progress both on the ground and in the facility where the video display is made off site. . . 

COMMUNICATION HIGHWAY

We took our message out on the road again last week in trips to the Bay Area and San Diego and I have to report that the Wildcat Movement is strengthening at home and afar. We will continue such missions with coaches and staff in the coming years whenever possible. I think you know how improved communication and contact has helped our program in the past year. These events, while by nature in-and-out forays, put a more personal face on University of Arizona Athletics. Thanks to all who took part!

The University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame was chartered in 1976 with an inaugural class of 18 individuals and one national team champion. Since, it's grown to a group of about 300 individuals and national-champion teams and relays. I am happy to share that this year’s solid class includes former swimming and diving head coach Frank Busch, a few of his national champion swimmers, Simon Burnett, Lyndon Ferns and Marshi Smith, national champion runner Robert Cheseret, volleyball’s Kim Glass, baseball’s Trevor Hoffman, softball’s Alicia Hollowell and women’s basketball’s Shawntinice Polk. Congratulations to each and I look forward to welcoming them back to campus homecoming weekend, November 4-5 for the induction ceremony and festivities.

WILDCAT NATION

Last week I got a lot of very “cool” photos. As Tucson is set to hit 100 degrees this week, it’s a nice reminder of cooler weather. This week’s photo challenge is paying tribute to all the Service Wildcats in honor of Memorial weekend. We are looking for photos of Wildcats who are active or retired Service Men and Women. Send your photos to facebook@arizona.edu. We will choose a winner and feature their photo in next week’s Wildcat Wednesday. Be sure to submit photos as select winners will also receive a special ticket prize to an upcoming Arizona Athletic event. This week I am giving away a foursome for the football home opener vs. NAU.

Last week, Jessica Wertz sent us a very cool photo from her trip to Whistler Olympic Village in Canada. Jessica won a pair of tickets to the football home opener vs. NAU! Send us your photos for a chance to win!

 FAIRWAYS AND GREENS

Congratulations to our men's golf team for its showing in the NCAA Regional held at Omni Tucson National this past weekend, playing well down the back nine on the final round to earn a berth in the NCAA Championships next week in Stillwater, Okla.. Our guys showed some real resilience and fight. And, here's to the women's team and Senior Alejandra Llaneza and their 15th-place finish in the NCAA Championships last week. 

SOFTBALL LOOKING SUPER

The Wildcat softball team plays host to Oklahoma in an NCAA Super Regional at Rita Hillenbrand Stadium this Friday and Saturday after a strong effort in the initial Regional at Hillenbrand last weekend. It's just not as easy as 25 consecutive NCAA appearances makes it seem, notably with the strength of the game and its continued growth throughout the country. Tickets are available online or can be purchased through our McKale Center Ticket Office, 520-621-2287. Postseason softball has become an attractive television target for ESPN, one reason for the 8:30 p.m. game time Friday and the 2 p.m. first pitch on Saturday. The NCAA and the network work together to schedule Super Regional games over four days with each contest shown on the ESPN family of outlets. 

ON THE OTHER DIAMOND

Our baseball team closes its regular season this week against Washington in a three-game series at Sancet Stadium Friday through Sunday. Friday’s first pitch will begin at 6pm and we will be recognizing the four senior student-athletes on the team. Saturday, is Alumni Association Night. With your UAAA membership card you receive half price admission ($3). The Cats look good at 33-19, and look to move up in the Pac-10 standings, in hopes of improving their seeding to participate in the NCAA Championships beginning June 3-6. The tournament selection show is scheduled for Monday and will be televised on ESPN... 

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'VE DONE -- YET

Our track and field teams are in Eugene this week for the key NCAA Outdoor Championships Preliminaries, where they'll have to post some superior results to earn individual berths in the NCAA Finals to be held June 8-11. We've had some superior performances in both men's and women's action this year (including our second-place Pac-10 finishes a few weeks ago), but it comes down to this key meet in Oregon for ultimate positioning. The top 12 finishers in each event in this meet -- essentially one of four regionals -- move on to become part of the top 48 in events at Nationals. Good luck, Cats!

PERSONALIZED COLORS...

 Noah Williams gave up his personalized Arizona "WKATZ" license plate recently after a move to Indiana, but surely didn't give up on his favorite team...

NOTES...

Our strong spring showing should help us with our strongest ranking in years in the Directors' Cup, the measuring stick of the National College Directors of Athletics Association. We're currently No. 17 and will be counting tennis and golf, softball and baseball, and track and field performances down the stretch toward the final standings. The beginning of the Pac-12 in the fall should only strengthen the level of, competition we face across the board... Welcome to assistant men's basketball coach Joe Pasternack, and women's basketball assistant coach E.C. Hill, who both joined the staffs last week... 

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

1.  Join the Wildcat Movement
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
The University of Arizona