Sunday, July 31, 2005

Countdown to kickoff

Charles Durrenberger of the Daily Star reminds us that football practice opens on Thursday. Now that players and coaches know more of what to expect from each other they can concentrate on those little things that can be game winners or losers.
Wonder if Coach is going to wear out a path on the sidelines with all those acrobatics?

33 days.....

Saturday, July 30, 2005

The Last Saturday of July

As we head into August Wilbur finally sees a blue jersey at the end of the long tunnel of summer. Just 34 days until Stoops troops take on Utah in the season opener and I gotta wear shades the outlook is so bright. The schedule is chock full of good teams, and the team and fans are all fired up. Dust off those stadium cushions, polish the binoculars, and grab the sunscreen (for you East stadium fans).

Cat backs -- With the return of every back who carried the ball last year and the addition of threee promising freshman, the running game will be a major strength this year. Did you know 4 of the 7 Cat backs are from the home state?

New unis? -- the gridCats unveil new uniforms this year, which means Wilbur and Wilma will be adding more cardinal and navy to their wardrobes.

Lute reorganizes -- basketball staff undergoes a makeover of its own, movin Geary to more of an administrative role and leaving Simon on the bench.

Friday, July 22, 2005

Call him Coach

Good news for Wildcat fans from today's Arizona Daily Star ..... Miles Simon has completed coursework for his degree and joins the Wildcat hoops staff immediately. Still waiting to hear how 4 assistant coaches meets the 3-coach NCAA maximum, though.
Congratulations to Miles - Point Guard U keeps getting better.

Saturday, July 09, 2005

From the Land of the Midnight Sun...

From The Journal Advocate - Sports in Sterling CO of all places . NJC sophomore star hurler Calder Hendrickson writes weekly accounts of the summer league, and manages to toss Arizona into the mix:

"Last week I received a call from a very a good division one college baseball program, the University of Arizona Wildcats. ...It was definitely a phone call I enjoyed receiving."

Calder really impresses in this letter from Alaska, and will be a success whichever path he chooses.

Sports media Wild about the Cats, too

Here's a great article from the Citizen's Steve Rivera about all the former Cats that are showing up in print, radio, and TV. Jennie Finch, Steve Kerr, Jim Furyk et al are representing the UA with class and style. Just check out this bit about former Wildcat Rory Sabatini:

And golfer Rory Sabbatini has gained publicity for wearing military camouflage trousers on the first day of events, donating money for birdies and eagles to military causes.

Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Trevor Crowe debut a success

As the Indians' first-round draft, Crowe has to meet some pretty high expectations. No surprise, then, to read this about his debut with the Captains:
"You're going to like this guy. He's got a lot of old school in him," said (Jack) Mull, the hitting coach at Lake County last season.
Old school must mean hustle, intelligence, team first values.

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Scouting the Cats

From GridIronGateway.com: Scouting the Pac 10: Arizona

Always like reading good news about the home team.

On the recruiting trail

Don't be surprised if LA's Dorsey High lineman Cleveland Jones buys into Stoops' gameplan here:The coveted recruit says:
"'I just liked the whole vibe down there,' said Jones, citing the feeling he got from the 'Zona coaching staff, campus and atmosphere."
Please, please sign Coach Stoops to the same lifetime offer we gave Lute. First we're going to LA...then Seattle...then Tempe...then YYYeeeeaaaaahhhhh.

Secondary is now primary....

This from The Arizona Daily Wildcat:

"UA pair up for top defensive back award
UA football players Darrell Brooks and Antoine Cason have been named to the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the top defensive back in the nation.
Brooks, a senior safety, returns for his fifth season with the Wildcats after leading the team in tackles a year ago with 73. Brooks, a returning team captain, was also named a finalist for the Ronnie Lott Award, given to the collegiate defensive player who has the greatest impact both on and off the field.
Cason, who made an immediate impact during his true freshman campaign last season, returns to the UA after leading the Wildcats with four interceptions and finishing second on the team in tackles to Brooks with 70.
Cason, Brooks, red-shirt sophomore cornerback Wilrey Fontenot and senior safety Lamon Means all return to the Wildcats' defensive backfield, considered one of the UA squad's strongest units.
Brooks and Cason were among five Pacific 10 Conference nominees, while Arizona is also one of seven teams, joining Alabama, Ohio State, West Virginia, Florida State, Miami and Texas, to have two players on the preseason list. "


Man, I'm just itching for that first kickoff, and I know Pae feels the same way. Road trip to Utah, anyone?