Living in a golden age

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Craig Degel

Its been four years since, as a senior in high school, I first visited Arizona and a friend got me into McKale Center to shoot hoops - a humbling experience to say the least.

I had no idea my livelihood for the next four years would revolve around that building and the people who inhabit it.

Regardless of how much we may bitch about it - and we do bitch a great deal - this is the best job on campus. The hours are long, the pay is meager and our office has no windows. And I'm not trying to make excuses here but the hours have made my grade point average less than desirable. Let's just say if it was an earned run average, I'd be Greg Maddux.

Still, I wouldn't trade the last four years for anything. The things I have witnessed represent what I call the Golden Age of Arizona athletics. Never has this school seen so much success across the board.

I have seen Damon Stoudamire simply dominate a game of basketball.

I have seen Tedy Bruschi terrorize opposing quarterbacks.

I have watched Michael Dickerson, Miles Simon and Mike Bibby do things with a basketball that I didn't think were possible.

I have seen - I knew there'd be too many to name - Alison McCutcheon, Amy Chellevold, Laura Espinoza, Jenny Dalton, Leah Braatz, Carrie Dolan, Nancy Evans and Leah O'Brien play softball, and play it exceptionally well.

I have seen Kenny Corley hit baseballs so far they were tracked by Davis-Monthan.

I have seen Tiger Woods play golf.

I have seen Adia Barnes throw down post moves so sweet they give Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer fits. And that should bring a smile to anyone's face.

I was there when Miles Simon hit his 70-footer to beat Cincinnati. (Don't worry, I called "bank" for him.)

I will never forget Fourth Avenue the night of the NCAA Championship. It doesn't get better than that.

I have been witness to the genius of Mike Candrea, Lute Olson, Joan Bonvicini, Dave Murray, Jim Gault and Frank Busch. And I have sat back and wondered why everybody thinks Dick Tomey is the anti-Christ.

I was there the night Becky Bowers nailed a 10 on the uneven bars.

And I have seen Amy Skieresz perform the simple act of running three miles - better than anyone else in the country.

And then there are all the athletes who have yet to make their final mark. A.J. Bramlett, Jason Terry, Eugene Edgerson and Donnell Harris represent a solid foundation for a Wildcat basketball team that will be much better than everyone expects. Don't forget those guys all have rings.

Ortege Jenkins and Keith Smith will lead the football team to the promised land once thought attainable when the Wildcats were "Rock Solid" and No. 1 on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Keoni DeRenne plays baseball like it's supposed to be played. Is Becky Lemke the next Susie Parra? Maybe we should let history decide.

Its been a wild four years.

Thanks for the memories.

Craig Degel is a journalism senior and has done just about everything for the Arizona Daily Wildcat. If his new editor sees fit, he will be back for one more year.