Arizona kicks off 100th year of sports

By Amy Schweigert
Arizona Daily Wildcat
June 5, 1996

Arizona Summer Wildcat

About 100 people helped the UA athletic department kick off its year-long centennial celebration yesterday afternoon in Arizona Stadium's Presidential Skybox Suite.

Athletics at the University of Arizona began on February 22, 1897 when students took part in a track and field day at Tucson's old Union Park Race Track.

"First and foremost, we are celebrating our heritage and tradition," said Tom Sanders, athletics associate director.

First Interstate Bank, soon-to-be Wells Fargo Bank, was introduced as the principal centennial sponsor.

"It is an opportunity for us to get our name in front of our community," said Garrit Cormany, First Interstate's area president.

The athletic department's commitment to the development and education, he said, also factored into the sponsorship decision.

"The sponsorship is extremely important to properly chronicle and honor the first 100 years of Wildcat athletics which are characterized by the rise from dusty territorial-era fields to one of America's premier athletics programs," athletic director Jim Livengood said in a press release.

"We owe a lot to intercollegiate athletics at the University of Arizona," said Provost Paul Sypherd. "The program and the athletes offer inspiration to the university."

An official centennial logo was designed for the anniversary and will be displayed on 1996-97 team uniforms.

Also, to commemorate the athletics department's 100-year history, artist Paul Miller designed three lithographs that will be sold at next year's events, said John Christie, program coordinator for the athletic department.

"The focus was to get something historical out there," he said.

Chris Dole, a partner in Collegiate Commemorative, said that each lithograph will be printed 1,997 times in honor of next year.

Collegiate Commemorative is the marketing and production company of the lithographs.

The cost of the lithographs will be $49.95 and $89.95, depending on the print's size, Dole said. 20-by-16-inch and 28-by -22-inch prints will be available, he said.

"This has got to be the nicest one he's ever done," Dole said of the first lithograph that was unveiled yesterday.

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