Mackovic brings in former UA assistant as new coordinator

Less than 24 hours after losing its fifth assistant coach in less than a month, the Arizona football team filled a void yesterday, hiring former UA and Texas A&M assistant Mike Hankwitz as its new defensive coordinator.

Following the departures of assistants Rob Ianello and Charlie Camp this week for Wisconsin and Oregon State, respectively, Hankwitz becomes the team's third new coach to be added to the staff so far this offseason. [Read article]

Being tagged ESPN's Îhottest female athlete' doesn't faze the former standout UA pitcher

When ESPN posed the question, "Who's the hottest female athlete?" last year, tennis superstar Anna Kournikova aced her competition and proved that she never even had to win a singles title to achieve ESPN status.

That was before Kournikova was matched against former UA softball pitcher and current volunteer assistant coach Jennie Finch. [Read article]

The Wildcats held their annual year-end banquet over the weekend and handed out several individual awards. Shawntinice Polk and Dee-Dee Wheeler were named co-Most Valuable Players. Polk also took home three more awards as the team's Defensive MVP, Rebounding Leader Award and Freshman of the Year.

Senior forward Krista Warren was second on the team with two awards, receiving the Most Improved Player and also the Academic Achievement Award for having the highest grade point average on the team. [Read article]

UA head coach Lute Olson may be looking to bring home his second national championship ring this April, but reports yesterday say that Olson may be ready to add a different kind of ring to his collection.

Reports by the Pittsburgh Tribune stated that Olson proposed to Christine Toretti in Kansas City, Mo., on Jan. 25 after the Wildcats' win over Kansas.

UA sports information director Richard Paige said that a press conference is set for 10:30 this morning to address the rumors. [Read article]