Athletics

This year, UArizona and its marching band, the Pride of Arizona, celebrate the 70th anniversary of "Bear Down, Arizona," the song that accompanies nearly every Wildcats celebration. The first public performance of the song took place at a pep rally on Sept. 20, 1952.

The contribution from Arizona Football letter winner and longtime university supporter Douglas Allred will support program enhancements for the football and men's basketball programs.

The University of Arizona softball team begins its quest for a ninth Women's College World Series title Thursday against No. 7 Oklahoma State. The game airs at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN.

The Arizona men's basketball team won five out of six on the Pac-12's major year-end awards, with sophomore Bennedict Mathurin named conference Player of the Year and Tommy Lloyd named Pac-12 Coach the Year.

Cody and Patsy Ritchie have pledged $1 million, earmarking half for the Wildcat Scholarship Fund.

The Arizona baseball team is making its 18th appearance in the College World Series. The Wildcats will take on Vanderbilt at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

For the 24th time in program history, UArizona's softball team will compete in the Women's College World Series. The Wildcats take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday.