By Scottie Bricker
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 2, 1997

Players and fans flaunt talents at Meet the Team

Tanith L. Balaban Arizona Daily Wildcat A fan of the UA football team, Liana Caiz, 12, has her poster signed from tight end (51) Dolphin Tillman. Several hundred fans, young and old alike, went to the annual Meet the Team last night to obtain signatures and greet this year's players.

11-year-old Zach Taylor lined up in the slot receiver position as redshirt freshman quarterback Ortege Jenkins lined up under center. As Jenkins dropped back to pass, Taylor streaked up the right side towards the corner of the endzone. Jenkins released the ball into the humid, night air with a gentle touch, seemingly just beyond the reach of Taylor. At the last second, however, Taylor extended his arms and made a spectacular diving catch worthy of ESPN's Plays of the Week.

Taylor ran back to the line of scrimmage with a smile as big as an Arizona sunset and was greeted with a high five from Jenkins.

What more could a youngster ask for on a school night.

"This is pretty cool," Taylor said.

Enough said.

With only three days until the official kickoff of the 1997 Arizona football season, the Wildcats enjoyed one last chance to let their hair down and relax at the annual Meet the Team at Arizona Stadium last night.

Head coach Dick Tomey addressed the thousand or so fans before introducing the starting offensive and defensive units, along with the senior captains - Jose Portilla, Joe Salave'a and Rodney Williams - for Thursday's season opener against Oregon in Eugene, Ore.

Tanith L. Balaban Arizona Daily Wildcat Young Wildcat fans line up at the Arizona Stadium last night for a chance to throw a pass at Rodney Williams (3), who is a wide receiver for Arizona.

After the introductions the fans were allowed onto the field and players and coaches ran the kids through drills at various stations. It was an opportunity for local children to get an up close and personal look at the team, and even catch a pass from Keith Smith or throw a ball to Dennis Northcutt over the middle.

All in all, Tomey was very happy with the turnout and the fan reaction.

"This is an opportunity for our guys to add a real personal touch to our group," Tomey said. "People don't often get to see and interact with our players like this. It is a great opportunity for all."

The kids were not the only ones who enjoyed the interaction.

"It's great to just put on a smile and get out here and workout with these kids," sophomore running back Trung Canidate said. "These kids really look up to us and this gives them a chance to see us up close."

Although this event has been going on for some time now, this year marks the first time that players and coaches ran through drills with the kids on the field.

Tomey said the evening could only help his team's camaraderie.

"Our goal is to be as close a football team as we possibly can," Tomey said. "We feel that this can only help us meet that goal."

Many of the parents in attendance took great enjoyment in seeing the smiles on their children's faces.

Tucson resident Kevin McHugh brought his seven-year-old son Robby to the event, armed with a pen and an autograph book.

"This is fantastic to be able to bring my son out here like this," the elder McHugh said. "During the season these guys are just too busy to be able to do this."

The younger McHugh summed up the whole night's experience in two words.

"It's fun."