The ABCs of a true Arizona sports fan

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Summer Wildcat Craig Degel

A is for Arizona. The southernmost member of the Pacific 10 Conference, Arizona is a perennial top 10 finisher in the Sears Director's Cup, which tracks overall athletic department performance.

B is for Bramlett. A.J. Bramlett is the lone returning starter on this year's men's basketball team. He is also the best center in the Pac-10. Oh sure, you'll hear about guys like Washington's Todd MacCullough or Stanford's Tim Young, but don't believe the hype.

C is for Candrea. Let me put it simply, Mike Candrea has coached Arizona softball to five national championships in the 1990s. Any questions? Yes, you in the back. No, Arizona has never cheated to win the national title like UCLA did in 1995.

D is for Degree. Always remember that.

E is for Everybody and their brother. That's how many people try to get men's basketball tickets every year. Save yourself the hassle and go to women's games.

F is for Football. You freshmen are lucky. You're stepping onto campus right as what looks like one of the best Arizona football teams in years takes the field.

G is for Genius. See letter C.

H is for Hockey. The Arizona Icecats play at the Tucson Convention Center, which gives Icecat Hockey the distinction of being the only UA athletic event where you can get beer... which brings us to the letter I.

I is for ID. Fake information with your picture is a felony in this state. However, if it's fake information with a fake photo, learn how to spell misdemeanor in that letter to mom and dad.

J is for Jenkins. Arizona sophomore quarterback Ortege Jenkins is one half of what makes up my letter Q.

K is for Keith Smith. He's the junior quarterback who makes up the other half.

L is for LaRose. Arizona golf coach Rick LaRose is second only to Candrea in NCAA titles won. He's got two, one with the women's team and one with the men's team.

M is for McKale. He's the Granddaddy of Arizona athletics. He was the school's first athletic director and yes, that's his name on the basketball arena.

N is for National Championship. You weren't here when it happened and that's a damn shame because on that night N could have also stood for naked. See what you missed by being born too late?

O is for Olson. Head men's basketball coach Lute Olson is a legend in this town. Of course, winning a national championship when the rest of the country thinks you have no business doing so will do that for your image.

P is for Pacific 10 Conference. As far as the national media is concerned, it doesn't exist. But, two years in a row now, four conference teams have reached the men's basketball Sweet 16.

Q is for Quarterback controversy. A what? At Arizona? Well, believe it. Both guys have the talent to run the offense. Smith is a tailback who just happens to have a cannon for a right arm, while Jenkins is a basketball player who just happens to have a cannon for a right arm. Let the games begin.

R is for Rubio. Arizona volleyball coach Dave Rubio guided the Wildcats to their highest conference finish (fourth) last year.

S is for Sun Devils. Say what you want but they've got a helluva football team this year. So get your tickets early for the UA-ASU game at Arizona Stadium on Nov. 27. Ask a junior what happened last time those guys came to town.

T is for Tucson. Yeah it's 1000 degrees outside but come February, when you're going to class in shorts and sandals, you'll find out it was worth it.

U is for Ugwu. He's massive, he's an Olympian and he's got the coolest name in town. He's Arizona lineman Chima Ugwu.

V is for Victories. And standout cross country runner Amy Skieresz knows a thing or two about them. She has seven NCAA titles and is just now entering her senior year.

W is for Wilbur the Wildcat. I know who it is in the mascot costume, but I'm not telling you.

X is for former Seattle Supersonics forward Xavier McDaniel, who is of no relation to Arizona standout wide receiver Jeremy McDaniel. What's that? Hey, you try finding a word for X.

Y is for Yusuf Scott. He's No. 72 in your program but if you add another "seven" on that jersey that's about how big he is. If you believe the program, Big U is 6-foot-2, 320 pounds.

And finally, I am sad to report that Z is once again for zero - the number of times Arizona has gone to the Rose Bowl.

Have a good year and thanks for reading.

Craig Degel is a journalism senior who has used his redshirt year. He promises to graduate in May.