[ NEWS ]

news

opinions

sports

policebeat

(DAILY_WILDCAT)

By Jason A. Vrtis
Arizona Daily Wildcat
May 14, 1997

Athletic centennial a year to remember


[photograph]


Arizona Daily Wildcat

UA mascot Wilbur the Wildcat "surfs" on the hands and heads of some of the approximately 45,000 fans at the UCLA football game last semester. The UA community celebrated a great year in athletics with the men's basketball team capturing a first ever NCAA championship.


The UA's Athletic Department could not have written this year's script any better as they celebrated the athletic centennial with a first-ever men's basketball national championship.

The department is also proud of its athletes' graduation rate, which is at an all-time high.

A number of University of Arizona athletic squads and individual athletes have also fared well on the playing field this season. Seven varsity sports qualified for the NCAA playoffs, and the women's softball team is on its way.

However, the department is taking the accomplishments in stride as it continues to strive for excellence in academics and competition.

"It says we are meeting our mission goals. It shows that we have a broad-based program with a lot of depth," said Kathleen "Rocky" LaRose, senior associate director of athletics.

The Wildcats are also working for a top-five finish in the Sears Director's Cup, which ranks universities on the depth of their overall sports programs. With track and field, men's and women's golf, and women's softball still competing, the award will not be announced until this summer.

Arizona has done well so far in the Director's Cup, scoring points from the men's basketball championship and the women's basketball team's first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. The women's volleyball and tennis teams appeared in their respective NCAA tournaments as well.

Arizona finished seventh in last year's Sears Cup after its highest-ever finish in 1995, when the university finished fourth. Stanford University has won the competition for the past two years.

"Success breeds success," LaRose said. "The national championship motivates other teams to work harder."

This year's results have already started to pay dividends.

With the national championship win, LaRose said the UA Athletic Department has seen a dramatic increase in letters from potential recruits in all sports.

The television and media exposure generated from the championship has had a great impact on awareness for the UA, not only in the United States but throughout the world, LaRose said.

Revenue is also expected to increase as royalties from national championship merchandise continue to pour in.

The benefits of a national championship may also come from increased enrollment at the university and consequently more money, students said.

"More students will apply because they will want to go to a school that is nationally known and respected," said Matt Gleason, an undeclared freshman.

Brian Gerl, an education senior, said the exposure generated from the championship will help attract higher profile athletes who want to go to a winning environment. He said the exposure is sure to bring in more revenue.

Gerl added he would not be surprised if basketball ticket prices rise next season since their demand probably will increase.

LaRose, who has been with the UA for 18 years, said the entire department is excited about the increased graduation rate. The NCAA reported a 64 percent graduation rate for all UA athletes from the fall of 1990 to the summer of 1996.

"The students are doing a fantastic job," said Tom Sanders, the department's associate director of development. "It shows that they are working hard at being complete student athletes. There is no substitute for improving oneself intellectually."

The men's basketball's national championship also made the centennial committee rethink its plans for an anniversary celebration this school year, Sanders said.

Instead, the centennial celebration will be extended to the 1997-98 school year because the Athletic Department wants to take time to honor the men's team, and 1997 is the actual centennial year, not 1996.

Sanders, the centennial chair, said it has certainly been a year to celebrate with so many teams doing so well this season.

The department is also doing some relocating as the office space that used to house the Wildcat Club and Development offices are being remodeled for use by the football team next year. The former football team offices will be remodeled over the summer and then given to Wildcat Club and the Development office.

"We have been very fortunate this year, and we have really appreciated the support we've gotten from the fans," LaRose said.

UA Athletic Director Jim Livengood is out of town and could not be reached for comment.


(LAST_STORY)  - (Wildcat Chat)  - (NEXT_STORY)

 -