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Arizona Football’s 2022 season began with a dominating win at San Diego State on Saturday in a nationally televised game on CBS. The win over the Aztecs was exciting as the Wildcat Family was loud and proud at Snapdragon Stadium. The Pride of Arizona also brought our dynamic Wildcat energy to Saturday’s game.
The 18-point win over SDSU was a testament to the hard work our student-athletes, coaches and staff have put in as Arizona Football became the talk of the college football world for the weekend. The win also earned Jayden de Laura and Jalen Harris weekly awards from the Pac-12 Conference. Congratulations to our entire football program on a winning statement to open the season!
Our focus now shifts to this week’s opener against Mississippi State, which is scheduled for Saturday at 8:00 PM (MST) at Arizona Stadium. We want to fill the stadium and create a spectacular atmosphere. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, you can do so by clicking here. You can also call 621-2287 (CATS) or visit the McKale Center Ticket Office to purchase your tickets ahead of time and avoid game day walking lines.
We are excited to welcome all of our fans, donors, alumni and supporters to historic Arizona Stadium for another football season. We continue our hard work to improve our fan experience at games as well as our pre-match celebrations. Saturday’s pregame activities include the return of country music star Phil Vassar for a concert on the east side of the UA Mall with Phil taking the stage at 5:30 pm (MST). With tailgating on the UA Mall and inside the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center, there’s plenty of fun for fans to enjoy on campus before kickoff.
Please enjoy Saturdays on campus with Arizona Football and Bear Down with pride! Visit our GameDay information page and remember that the stadium gates open 90 minutes before kick-off. I also encourage fans to download their mobile tickets and parking to your phone before you leave home on Saturday. I can’t wait to see you Saturday night as Arizona Stadium will be full of Wildcats. Bear Down and Go Cats!
Game day updates
We’re excited to roll out some new game day improvements at Arizona Stadium. Here are a few things that have changed since we saw you at Arizona Stadium last year:
- Third/Fourth Quarter Break. New this year: after the third quarter, open the Arizona Wildcats app, open the menu at the top left of your screen and scroll down to Arizona Lights. Open it and follow the instructions to sync your phone’s flashlight with Don’t Stop Believing by Journey.
- Bear Down Games is a free prediction-based contest on the Arizona Wildcats app that lets you compete against other fans to win prizes. We already had five winners from the San Diego State game who won free tickets to Saturday’s game, and the prizes will get bigger and better as we go through the season. For both the Arizona Lights and the Bear Down Games, please download the app before entering the stadium and to participate in the Bear Down Games, get your picks before kickoff!
- Use the hashtag #RiseWithUs on Twitter and Instagram for your chance to see your post on the video board during the game!
- Fan Fiesta is moving! The Arizona Athletics tailgate is moving from its former home at the Davis Sports Center to the heart of the tailgating action on the UA Mall west of Cherry Ave. Join us for fun family-friendly pre-game activities starting 3 hours from kickoff.
- The concessions at Arizona Stadium will look — and taste — a little different this season. In addition to adding new outlets, we will also have new food items such as Crunch Nachos, Mustache Pretzels, Paletas, Sno Cones, Sonoran Dogs and more. Premium premium beer will now be served in recyclable aluminum souvenir cups. New this year, there will no longer be ID checkpoints to obtain a wristband for fans over the age of 21. If you would like to purchase an alcoholic beverage, please have ID ready while in line so you can quickly check in at the register when you order. Just a friendly reminder, Arizona Stadium is cashless.
- Game Day Reminder: We are encouraging all fans to arrive on campus at least one hour prior to kickoff and enter the stadium at least 30 minutes prior. With increased attendance expected and increased security measures, this will be especially important this season. Please download your tickets and parking before you leave home and make sure you adhere to our clear baggage policy. Let’s work together to create the best possible field environment!
JOIN US SUNDAY FOR THE ARIZONA CHAMPIONSHIP
Arizona Soccer is back home this week for a game on Sunday against Pepperdine. The Cats and the Waves kick off at 1pm on Sunday, but we invite all fans to join us for a pre-game tailgate that will feature face painters, balloon artists, plaque and sign making stations.
Sunday is First Responder Day, so all military, police, firefighters and EMTs will get discounted tickets at the gate with your ID.
Click here to get tickets for Sunday’s game!
KIDCATS RETURN AND BREAK THE RECORD!
Our official Kids Club is back this season and we’ve already surpassed our record number of KidCats! Members receive a t-shirt, a credential, free tickets to select events, discounted Arizona Football tickets and more. Click here to sign your K-8 child up for Arizona KidCats sponsored by Hughes Federal Credit Union.
SAN DIEGO IS HOME OF THE WILD CLUB
TheIf you watched Arizona football beat SDSU on TV, then you probably heard the U-of-A cheers and cheers from the strong showing of Wildcat fans that attended the game. More than 200 of those fans in attendance traveled as part of the Wildcat Club’s annual football donor drive. This enhanced premium experience is offered exclusively to Diamond, Platinum and Golden Wildcat Club members in appreciation of their leadership support of Arizona Athletics.
Tthank you to these members, as well as each of our more than 10,000 Club Wildcat members for their critical annual support of our department and 21 sports programs. To learn more about the Wildcat Club, visit http://www.WildcatClub.org
BEWARE PHOENIX WELDCATS!
The Cat Cruiser is back this year! For just $25 per person per game – or $105 for a season pass – get a ride from Phoenix to Arizona Stadium and back for all seven of our home games.
Click here to reserve your seat on the Cat Cruiser this week.
ARIZONA ATHLETICS EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITY MEDICINE BANNER
This week, we announced an expanded partnership with Banner University Medicine that will create an improved model of care for our student-athletes.
Along with Banner, it will develop a comprehensive care program focused on healthy living, injury prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and expansion of this model will help meet the needs of the student-athletes of the University of Arizona, Arizona and athletes of all ages in the south. Arizona. This new model of sports medicine care reinforces Arizona Athletics’ long-term commitment to Total Athlete Success (CATS) and is fundamental to the Wildcat Way strategic plan, which provides opportunities for student-athletes to become academic, athletic champions and of life. Arizona Athletics will continue to expand and invest in this new model to ensure it remains a nationally recognized leader in student-athlete health care.
PUT ON THE COLORS – SHARE THE PICTURES
Manila Francisco, just 5 minutes after his birth, is seen here sitting down! His parents are both Air Force personnel stationed at Barksdale Airforce Base, and his great-grandparents are both Wildcat Alums! Nice to see him in the family!
Send us your photos wearing the colors!
Thank you for wearing the colors and sharing your Arizona pride! Be sure to snap a photo the next time you wear the colors and send it to us, we just might include it in next week’s Wildcat Wednesday! And even if your photo doesn’t make next week’s edition, please check our “War the Colors” album at facebook.com/ArizonaAthletics on Fridays.
NOTE: Please send photos to Wildcat Wednesday in an original email to [email protected] using the subject line ‘Wednesday’s Wildcat Photo.’ Also, please ensure that all submissions are clear and properly lit. We also ask that you identify everyone in the photo so we can highlight them accordingly.
Bear Down and Go Cats!
Dave Heeke
Vice President and Director of Athletics
University of Arizona
[email protected]
