Kyle Kensing Staff writer

The spring semester has arrived, and campus is abuzz with student life. The vast majority of students are happy to reunite with friends and again have a sense of purpose after three weeks of inactivity.

Nevertheless, the cries of "Tucson is boring" will radiate loud soon enough, likely by week's end.

Fear not, malcontents.

Tucson has a wide assortment of events for the sporting enthusiast to keep busy and entertained all semester long, and a majority are right here on the UA campus.

McKale Center is home to a basketball powerhouse and a contender for the Pacific 10 Conference Championship.

Now, I know what you're saying. "But, Kyle, I didn't win tickets in the basketball lottery." I'm not referring to Lute's boys.

Joan Bonvicini's women's hoops team has proved itself worthy of praise equal to that of the men's program, building a 34-game home winning streak that was the nation's longest before a 78-66 loss to Stanford on Sunday.

Point guard Dee-Dee Wheeler dispels any myths that women's sports aren't as entertaining as men's. She's the best at her position in the NCAA, male or female.

Remember that Zona Zoo card you were given before football season? It gets you into these games free of charge.

For those of you without a Zona Zoo pass, admission at McKale is less than the price of a 12-pack. It's more than worth it to cheer on the squad as they build another home court win-streak.

If basketball's not your thing, the Icecats have the cure for that void left by the NHL lockout.

Leo Golembiewski is a winning coach in Tucson. He has built a tradition that gives the Icecats a unique quality unlike anything found in other campus sports.

The action at an Icecats game is fast, the players hit hard, and because they play off-campus, at the Tucson Convention Center, beer is served.

Read that last line again: Beer is served.

Hockey and basketball wrap up before spring break, but their respective conclusions don't mean the end of sporting entertainment in Tucson.

With the unbeatable March and April weather comes baseball season, and the Old Pueblo has plenty of it.

The UA baseball team is coming off a World Series performance in 2004, and the pieces are in place for a return trip to Omaha.

Junior Trevor Crowe helped Team USA capture gold at the World University Baseball Championship, and is less than a few years away from playing for millions in the major leagues.

The softball team is the UA's most dependable program, and 2005 should be no exception.

Our fine city is also home to Cactus League Spring Training, namely for the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks.

With rates at Major League ballparks trying to keep up with Beltran-esque contracts, the Cactus League is an excellent opportunity for the strapped-for-cash student to catch big league action.

Tucson's minor league squad, the Sidewinders, hosts a must-see tradition every week - Thirsty Thursdays.

Admission to the Tucson Electric Park is $3, and thirsty fans can wet their whistles with dollar beers. The combination of cheap booze and washed-up big leaguers makes for ample heckling.

And, since this is a professional baseball event, you underage drinkers can absolve yourself of responsibility when confronted by security.

That frosty beer you're drinking? You thought it was flaxseed oil.

So the next time you find yourself complaining about Tucson's lack of entertainment, remember that the city has plenty of treasures - if you look in the right places.

,i>Kyle Kensing is a journalism senior. He can be reached at sports@wildcat.arizona.edu.