Staff Reports
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 21, 1997

Tuesday's Tidbits

Arizona Daily Wildcat Julie Reitan

The Tucson City Council has passed a resolution to name the four-field softball complex at Lincoln Park in memory of UA softball player Julie Reitan. Reitan, who passed away this summer due to complications from diabetes, played outfield for the 1996 and 1997 NCAA champions...

Former UA student Greg Smith wouldn't go as far to describe himself as a diehard UA fan, but the self-employed 24-year-old did by two sets of basketball tickets for a combined total of $825. Smith placed an ad in the Wildcat last week after he lost the raffle and couldn't get it canceled in time before he was swamped with calls. He said he received 20-30 the first day. As for the money, Smith said, "I know I probably paid more than I had to, but I just have that much money." Smith is happy with his seats (one set cost $550, the second $275) although they are not in the front row. "The whole atmosphere in McKale Center is just awesome," said Smith who is a computer programmer. "I hope I didn't inflate ticket prices. That was not my intent at all. It's funny, a had one caller plead with me because they needed money for rent."...

UCLA is trying to cash in Arizona's success as well. Anyone interested in buying a single game ticket to the UA-UCLA game March 7 at the Pauley Pavillion in Los Angeles are out of luck unless they want to purchase season tickets. It's the only home game on the Bruins' schedule for which single game tickets cannot be purchased...

To all those who attended the UA volleyball game against Oregon State Friday night and think the reason behind the players suddenly dropping to their backs and kicking their legs before singing "Bear Down" was a victory tradition, you're wrong. Rather, it is a little ritual that assistant coach Charita Johnson, who played for UA earlier this decade, said has existed in the program at least a few seasons before head coach Dave Rubio came here in 1992, if not earlier. The game is called "D.B." and when the "D.B." player shouts it, everyone must drop to the floor and bicycle kick their legs. The last player down is the new "D.B.," and must sing "Bear Down." They also have the power of choosing when to shout the initials next. The players know but wouldn't reveal what the initials stand for.

Arizona Daily Wildcat Allison Napier

Senior Sara Johnson was the "D.B." Friday but Allison Napier, a freshman, became the new one after she was last to hit the floor. Senior Stephanie Venne said players, who have no idea when or how the game originated, often catch teammates off guard - shouting "D.B." in at unexpected times, like when the team is in an airport waiting to board a plane...

In the new media guide for the 1997-98 season, John Ash and Quynn Tebbs had this answer for the question "Game in sports history I would most like to have played in." The 1997 NCAA Championship game. Of course, they did get a ring...

Icecat freshman defenseman Rodney Glassman stands out among his teammates. After all, he's 6-6 and weighs 230 pounds. But Glassman is not just a big bruiser who will be sent in to turn other team's forwards into putty when he rams them into the boards. Glassman is also a singer, and he displayed his talent before the Phoenix Coyotes-Calgary Flames NHL exhibition game in Tucson on Sept. 21, when he sang both the American and Canadian national anthems. To top that, though, Glassman sang the Canadian national anthem in French. A suggestion to Glassman to increase the intimidation factor when he gets on the ice: sing the song "Kill It" by Fight. That ought to get the opposing forwards to think twice about crossing the blue line...

Attendance at Midnight Madness nearly exceeded the estimated crowd in the second half of Saturday's embarrassing loss to the Washington Huskies. The Midnight Madness crowd was estimated to be near 10,000 fans at McKale Center while only roughly 15,000 remained at Arizona Stadium to watch the end of the football game after the Huskies went into the locker room up 41-14. Although most of the fans who remained until the end were sporting purple shirts and cheering for the visitors...

The Tidbits are comprised by the Wildcat sports staff and are meant for the readers enjoyment. Any tips or comments can be sent to kclerici@u.arizona.edu or at 621-7581.