The wait is finally over in Tucson.
No, the Arizona Wildcats haven’t clinched their first trip to the Rose Bowl but the newly renovated $75 million Lowell-Stevens Football Facility may help them get much closer in the coming years.
The ‘Cats held an open house Saturday morning in Tucson where fans could tour the upscale, north end zone lower bowl and select their tickets for the upcoming season. Hundreds of fans took the tour and were given football posters, pocket and magnet schedules and other free items upon arrival.
Many believe it’s a win-win situation for both the fans and football players and staff who will use the recently constructed space not only in the fall but year-round.
“With everything our guys do from lifting, eating, meeting or just hanging out in the player’s lounge,” head football coach Rich Rodriguez told Pros2Preps.com. “It’s all right there in a first-class facility.”
The project, spear-headed by Arizona Director of Football Operations Mike Parrish 18 months ago, is the first major upgrade in Arizona Stadium history. It was started shortly after Rodriguez arrived in Tucson although initial talks began late in Mike Stoops’ tenure.
The north end zone offers plush, cushioned seats with backs and a perfect view of Arizona’s massive video board directly across in the south end zone. Fans sitting in the area will also have access to a full-service bar in a modern, over-sized indoor lounge area complete with close to a dozen flat-screen televisions to catch all the action. Widened concourses and expanded restrooms also offer an experience not seen before at Arizona Stadium.
Fans were invited back Saturday night for a special laser and video board highlight show. Both events were free to public.
Rodriguez and the ‘Cats look to build off their last-minute comeback win over Nevada in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. They open season at home Friday, August 30 against NAU.
Eric Sorenson
