Oct. 13, 2010
AGENTS AND COLLEGE ATHLETICS
Some of you may have seen an article that came out yesterday from SI.com that has an in-depth interview/article with a former NFL agent that describes how he became an NFL agent and steps he took to entice athletes to have him represent them. Needless to say, it did not paint a pretty picture and it was disappointing to read his justification of what he did.
I know that there are plenty of agents that abide by the parameters in place but unfortunately there are some that do not. We will do everything we can as a department to educate our student-athletes on the consequences from dealing with an agent before their eligibility has expired. There have been many high-profile student-athletes from other institutions that recently have had their dealings with agents exposed. It has put themselves, their family, their team, their athletic department and their university in a very negative light. We will do all we can do to minimize the chance of this happening at the University of Arizona, but we also know that we are one student-athlete and one unethical agent away from serious issues.
I have been involved with discussions about agents with many people throughout intercollegiate athletics and I have some strong feelings on how we attack this issue. We will update you as we can.
THE PACIFIC-12 CONFERENCE
One of the many sessions in our Pac-12 meetings last week included a showing of the video branding piece the league put together to showcase the historical, geographical and competitive breadth of our conference. It's dynamic and really something to see. If you haven't seen it, just click HERE.
LET'S SEE WHAT WE'RE MADE OF
Our football attendance is a very positive aspect of the start to the 2010-11 competitive season, and we thank you for that. We have already sold out two of our home games this year and three of our last five home games going back to the Oregon showdown last year. Now, with a little bit of adversity (the loss to Oregon State), let's see how we can do at the next go-round, the Homecoming Game Oct. 23 against Washington. It's been selected for a national cablecast on ESPN at 7:15 p.m. and there are only 1,300 tickets remaining. I don't need to tell you how important each Pac-10 game is; the one this week in Pullman is as critical as any, for example. But one thing we have control over is our home crowd and its supportive nature. Let's get out there and lose our voices on Oct. 23. Bear Down!
AND SPEAKING OF HOMECOMING
Reunion celebrations are far more than just football games. The University of Arizona's Homecoming Celebration next week, "One for the Ages," highlights 125 years of the University's excellence. Since a humble beginning as the state's first university and what historian Douglas Martin called "The Lamp in the Desert," the University has prospered in myriad ways. Homecoming serves as a showcase event to bring current and former students together for a look at such things as the Collegiate and Campus Showcase and other events. To help celebrate our 125th anniversary, the University and our selected partners have created a commemorative “Silver and Sage” Merchandise Line. We encourage you to take part in all the various festivities.
If you are a former Arizona student-athlete, there are several A-Club events being held exclusively for you during Homecoming weekend. We encourage all our letterwinners to stay connected to Arizona Athletics through the A-Club and next weekend is a great opportunity for you reconnect.
AND WHAT A LEGACY IT IS...
You probably don't need a definition, but "legacy" can mean something handed down. In our case, theWomen's Sports Legacy, to be celebrated before the Homecoming game next Saturday, is the rich heritage that University of Arizona female student-athletes have built. We've had so many pioneers, national champions, trail blazers and simply fantastic individuals and teams on an off the playing fields and courts. It goes way back to Ina Gittings and others in the 1920s and continues today. We're blessed to have three (and maybe four) NCAA Woman of the Year winners, 11 Honda Awards in four sports, and abundant academic and scholastic champions. Being a Wildcat has meant following in the footsteps of standard bearers of tremendous distinction. Thank you to female Wildcats past, present and future. We're more than pleased to spend some time applauding those efforts and accomplishments, and expect more to come.
The time for the breakfast event on Oct. 23rd honoring this Legacy has been changed from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and will take place on the floor of McKale. The ticket price for fans is $35 and letterwomen is $20. Please call 520-621-2331 to make your reservation. We hope to see you at 10 a.m. next Saturday.
PERFORMANCE IN THE CLASSROOM
Elizabeth Apgar of cross country and track and field, Sarah Landsman of women’s tennis, Seth Mejias-Breen of baseball and Paul Vassallo of the football team were named ICA Student-Athletes of the Month for September. We laud these students and the many others who give their "A" game to their educational pursuits. Recipients are chosen for effort, improvement, performance and role-model traits. Congratulations Elizabeth, Sarah, Seth and Paul.
HISPANIC HERITAGE DAY
Special thanks to all the UA and high school students who participated in the Hispanic Heritage Day Celebration at half-time show this past Saturday. And congratulations to all the art contest winners. The field looked great and the mariachi performers and folklorico dancers did a fantastic job partnering with the Pride of Arizona.
VETERANS AND WILDCATS
Matt Randle sent this photo of himself and members of UA's Veterans Club, which was named the national club of the year among more than 300 chapters at a recent Student Veterans of America national conference. Thanks, vets, for your service to your country and your Wildcat pride.
NOTES...
No. 25 Arizona Volleyball will host No. 10 UCLA (Friday) and No. 5 USC (Saturday) in McKale Center...The next point in the State Farm Territorial Cup Series will be decided Friday in Tempe when UA meets the host Sun Devils in women's soccer... Men's and women's swimming and diving are kicking off their fall seasons a bit earlier than usual and will play host to a meet (admission is free) Friday and Saturday at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center... The cross country squads are in Terre Haute, Ind., Saturday for a national meet... Men's and women's basketball are next on the competitive calendar, and don't forget we have Season Tickets remaining for each, including the Men's Red-Blue Game on Sunday, Oct. 24th at 1 p.m.
Tickets
Roster
Schedule
