UA Athletic Director Cites Challenges
The University of Arizona’s athletic director Greg Byrne told a gathering of the Tucson Alumni Chapter of Sigma Chi that he found taking over the Wildcats’ athletic program challenging.
He told about 70 alumni and guests that one of the challenges was to improve the “experience” of fans attending UA football games. Noting that some fans prefer to watch games at home on TV, he decided to construct a $7 million digital scoreboard to add to that experience.
Among other topics Byrne touched on were:
• The Cats’ poor attendance at KIndall-Sancet Stadium baseball games on campus. He noted that the last three winners of the College World Series were from the Southeast Conference and that one of the reasons was the millions of dollars schools spent on facilities. He said he hoped that with a $5 million upgrade of Hi Corbett Field more fans and better recruits will be attracted.
• The new Pac-12. He said the UA is satisfied with the lineup and is not eager to expand.
• Basketball coach Sean Miller. “I hope I never have to work with another basketball coach” at the UA, he said. Bryne’s job, he said, is to make sure resources are in place to help the UA compete.
Byrne noted that on one recent recuiting trip that Miller had made 11 stops during three days. “I love what he’s doing with Arizona basketball,” Byrne said.
The event, coordinated by alums Jerry Tolle and Linn Wallace, was part of the Beta Phi chapter’s sports history program. About 300 Beta Phis earned letters in various sports. Tolle pointed out that they included 16 members of the UA Hall of Fame, 11 All Americans and three coaches.
The event was held in the UA Sports Hall of Fame on the campus.
Bob Bretz, center, talks with guest Matt Muehelbach, left, ex-Wildcat basketball star and Larry Hecker.
UA athletic director Greg Byrne talks with Sigma Chis attending the Sept. 15 meeting of the alumni chapter at the UA’s sports hall of fame.
Sigs Bruce Larson, a former UA basketball coach, and Jack McDuff, the international fraternity’s 50th grand consul, greet each other at the Sept. 15 meeting.
Some of the UA lettermen from Beta Phi gather at the Sept. 15 meeting. From left they are football Bob Svob, golf Chuck Colton, track Jack McDuff, wrestling Terry Valeski, baseball Jerry Tolle, basketball and baseball Bruce Larson, football Ted Sherwood and baseball Linn Wallace.