Excitement surrounds football team's first season under Stoops

Blue helmets aren't the only new thing at Arizona Stadium; suddenly Arizona football has become chic.

Ticket sales have jumped, commitments are piling up and the players are excited about the season starting.

"The support has been tremendous. These people have so much faith in us, hopefully we can come out and give them something to cheer about. They're hungry for a winner," said head coach Mike Stoops. "We're doing everything we can. Believe me, our kids have worked hard and I'm very proud of the way we work. You see all the things we are doing and in many different aspects of this program we have gotten better." [Read article]

The year that was, the year that could be

When did we become so spoiled? Was it before the UA men's basketball team lost in the first round of the 2004 NCAA tournament, despite both reaching the dance and winning 20 games for the 20th straight season?

Or was it prior to the Wildcat softball team's 31 straight wins to open its 2004 slate, only to fall in the preliminary round of the NCAA tourney, landing it outside the Women's College World Series for the first time since the late '80s? [Read article]

Baseball:

Cats make first World Series trip since '86

The Arizona baseball team advanced to the College World Series for the first time in 18 years, in only head coach Andy Lopez' third season with the program.

The Wildcats didn't just go to the college baseball Mecca to see the sights, they finished tied for fifth, knocking out Arkansas, in their first trip since their last of three national titles in 1986. [Read article]

All of the excitement surrounding the Arizona football team this off-season becomes a reality today when the Wildcats officially open the 2004 season with a light workout in preparation for their season opener Sept. 4 against Northern Arizona.

The Wildcats closed out their two-week preseason camp Saturday with a scrimmage at Arizona Stadium in front of an estimated 7,500 fans. The offense scored two touchdowns and a field goal and the defense intercepted two passes and sacked the quarterback six times. [Read article]