Athletics Director Greg Byrne's weekly email discussing Wildcat Athletics
Oct. 3, 2012
PULL THE ROPE
Here’s a challenge for you and Wildcat fans you know – continue to pull the rope. Most of you know thatfootball revenue is a critical component for our program. We have a funding model that includes outstanding income from men’s basketball, but that’s limited in terms of growth. (We fill up McKale Center most games – thank you). This week we take a trip, next week we have an open date, and then we’ll begin our final home stretch in football, with four of the last six games at home. That’s Washington (October 20) on Family Weekend, USC (October 27), Colorado on Homecoming (November 10) and the Territorial Cup game (November 23). Four great games. Let’s fill Arizona Stadium for every game!
We can understand various issues that might have impacted the crowds, but there shouldn’t be excuses with those exciting games left. We need you, and we need you in the stands October 20 and 27, November 10 and 23. Coach Rodriguez, the team, and the football staff have all been pulling the rope moving our program forward and with your support, you can make a difference to our team and our ability for long term success
We have put together a few ticket packages for the final four games, including two-game mini-plans and Value Packs. Please scoop one up to see our exciting brand of football.
Also don’t forget the impact that a full Arizona Stadium has in recruiting. We host recruits in every sport on football weekends and if they see and feel a full Arizona Stadium it sends an incredible message to them about the passion for the University of Arizona.
HONOR FOR THE VOICE OF THE CATS
Our long-time and superlative radio play-by-play announcer and allied spokesman for Arizona Athletics, Brian Jeffries, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame of Arizona Broadcasters Association at the end of next week. Brian has brought listeners closer to UA athletics than any figure in UA history. He’s helped us induct famed Wildcats into our own Hall of Fame as a frequent master of ceremonies for our events. He’s been the sound of even-keeled professionalism for decades. We’re happy to offer him thanks, appreciation and kudos for this honor. One day, someone will nominate him for the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame and it probably won’t be a tough decision. But that’s for a day when he’s out of the business and we sure don’t want that just yet. Bear Down, Brian!
RED/BLUE SHAPING UP
As of this past weekend we have sold more than 7,000 tickets to the Oct. 21 McDonald’s Red/Blue game. We’re just about half way to a second consecutive sellout. Make sure to get your tickets early and take advantage of the advance purchase price. Starting this weekend you can receive a voucher for discounted tickets from participating McDonald’s restaurants in the Tucson area when you buy a combo meal.
As we’ve mentioned before, we will be honoring the 25th anniversary of 1987/88 Final Four at this year’s McDonald’s Red/Blue Game. That team is regarded as one of the most popular Wildcat teams of all-time. Last week we were excited to confirm the following members of the team would be here: Lute Olson, Jud Buechler, Sean Elliott, Steve Kerr, Kenny Lofton, Harvey Mason, Craig McMillian, Matt Muehlebach, Sean Rooks, Tom Tolbert, Joe Turner and manager Eric Meyer. I hope you can join us and help welcome this special group of letterwinners back to McKale.
INTERNAL NEGOTIATIONS ARE JUST THAT
It’s been a common theme for a while – the Pac-12 Networks and their availability for our supporters. We’ve had a number of queries asking how the internal negotiations between the league and several non-partnered television carriers are going. In all candor, I have to say I only know what I read about those summits and the occasional update from the conference office, and neither party is providing a lot of detailed information. I’m not a part of the negotiating team and can’t say how close or far from making a deal they are as the talks are progressing. I do know that Commissioner Larry Scott and his team of leaders are working to achieve as widespread distribution of P12N as possible, and doing so in a sports-TV marketplace with some given benchmarks for what similar contracts produce in the industry. We are as eager as you are for an agreement between the remaining companies and the Pac-12 Network. There’s one sure way to make sure you get the Pac-12 Networks… the Byrne family has enjoyed our switch to Comcast.
FAIRWAYS AND GREENS, LADIES
Women’s golf has two fall tournaments in the books and has come away with two victories. Led by head coach and UA alum Laura Ianello, the Cats won the Windy City Collegiate Classic by four strokes on Monday. Freshman Janie Jackson was the top finisher in seventh place. On Sept. 21-23, the squad won the Mason Rudolph Championship with sophomore Kendall Prince earning a bronze finish. Lots of quality competition at these events and it’s exciting to see our squad teeing off with the best and coming away with victories
BASEBALL EXHIBITION IN PHOENIX
Thanks to Arturo Moreno, a University of Arizona alum and current majority owner of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Andy Lopez and the 2013 baseball team have the opportunity to play the Angels Instructional League Team in front of our fans in the Valley. The game will be played tomorrow night at Tempe Diablo Stadium, spring training home of the Angels, in Tempe. There is no charge for admission. It’s a great opportunity for our Phoenix-area fans to congratulate Coach Lopez and the team on their National Championship and get a sneak peek of the 2013 Wildcats. The game starts at 6 p.m. Arizona Athletics staff will be on site with 2013 ticket information and schedules. Remember, #PhoenixIsWildcatCountry!
WILDCATS IN THE COMMUNITY
October 1st marked the start of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness month. Arizona student-athlete Brigetta Barrett helped to kick off the month by attending the launch celebration held at the Women’s Plaza of Honor on the University of Arizona campus. Brigetta spoke on the importance of the fight against breast cancer as it affects one in eight individuals. Recently, Brigetta’s mother won her battle and is now cancer free. Everyone was touched by Brigetta’s words and was thrilled to have her in attendance. She wrapped up the event by reminding everyone to participate in Arizona’s Race for the Cure on Sunday, March 17, 2013.
Photo: Student-Athlete Brigetta Barrett and Communication Consultant for Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Southern Arizona, Gillian Drummond at the Breast Cancer Awareness Month Launch on Monday, October 1, 2012.
SHOW YOUR WILDCAT PRIDE ON THE ROAD
The popular University of Arizona “Wildcat” license plate has a new look this fall. The new plate features the UA’s trademarked block “A” and the color is Arizona red with a ’Cat face halo in the background. It also includes the University’s traditional Wildcat fight mark, Bear Down. A portion of proceeds from sales of UA plates go toward the UA Alumni Association License-Plate Scholarship program. The Alumni Association receives $17 of both the initial and annual renewal fees, $25 each, to award scholarships to UA students who are Arizona residents. Last year, the UAAA awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to more than 400 students through its chapters and clubs program. The license-plate scholarship program contributes significantly to this effort. Buy your “A” plate online at www.servicearizona.com. For more information, visitArizonaAlumni.com/licenseplates, call Alumni Association Regional Director Mark Strickling at 602-827-2189, or email info@al.arizona.edu.
A-CLUB LETTERWINNER UPDATE
Arizona basketball letterwoman Brenda Smith-Beagley (1983-86) was a serious and dedicated student at the University of Arizona and earned a BA in radio/TV. She is now a published author for Harlequin Books, writing under the pseudonym Marin Thomas. Brenda writes western-themed stories for its American Romance line and published her first book with Harlequin in 2004. “Marin Thomas” is currently at work on a new six-book series; at the conclusion of the series she will have written a total of 33 books for Harlequin. We are proud of Brenda and what she has accomplished as a student-athlete and now as an accomplished author…Bear Down
WILMA THE WILDCAT ON A ROLL
After a rough start, Wilma has been on a roll with the Mascot Challenge. She’s currently 2-2, coming off of two consecutive wins (vs. Puddles from Oregon and Mike the Tiger from LSU). Thanks to everyone that has supported Wilma by voting. Visit ArizonaWildcats.com/VoteWilma and vote for her every day. This week she is matched up with Bucky the Badger from Wisconsin. As ESPN showed us a few years ago, he’s one of Wilma’s biggest fans.
KIDS AND CUPS
Below, Rodrigo Palacios-Tenorio sent a photo of his son, Lysandros (right) with a friend, Jordan. Both babies are looking good in that gear… Next, Mark Stanley shows some UA pride at last week’s Ryder Cup golf competition in Illinois… At bottom, Ramona Bell Repp is getting ready for Wildcat Football by reading her favorite book at the tailgate last weekend with her Mom, Kristen. Bear Down!
Continue to do what you can to help Arizona Athletics and:
Tickets
Roster
Schedule
.jpg)
