WWW.ARIZONAATHLETICS.COM 1 Table of Contents/Quick Facts 2008-09 Arizona Women’s Golf Jim Livengood Message 2 Team Roster/Tournament Quick Facts 3 Season Outlook 4 Brooke Schneider 5 Marisa Smith 6 Amanda Wilson 7 Brittany Benvenuto 8 Emily Mason 9 Alejandra Llaneza 10 Isabelle Boineau 11 Nikki Koller 12 Ashley Malaska 13 Margarita Ramos 14 Head Coach Shelly Haywood 15 Assistant Coach Laura Myerscough 16 2008 Fall Golf Results 17 2007/08 Season Review 18-20 Women’s Golf History 21-22 Individual Champions 23-24 National Champions 25 LPGA Tour 26 Arizona National/Practice Sites 27 Athletics Facilities 28 Strength Training and Medical Services 29 CATS Academics 30 The University of Arizona 31-32 Tucson, Arizona 33-34 Athletics Excellence 35 Athletics Administration 36 General Information Location: Tucson, Ariz Founded: 1885 Enrollment: 37,000 Nickname: Wildcats Colors: Cardinal and Navy Affiliation: NCAA Division I Conference: Pacific-10 President: Dr Robert Shelton Faculty Representative: Dudley B Woodward SWA/Senior Assoc AD: Kathleen “Rocky” LaRose Sports Information Sports Information Director: Tom Duddleston, Jr Women’s Golf Contact: Eric Montgomery E Mail: emonty@emailarizonaedu Student Asst SID/Women’s Golf Contact: Monique Gamez Email: mkgamez@emailarizonaedu Sports Information Phone: (520) 621-4163 Sports Information Fax: (520) 621-2681 Sports Information Mailing Address: PO Box 210096 Tucson, Arizona 85721-0096 Website: wwwarizonaathleticscom Women’s Golf Staff Head Coach: Shelly Haywood (fifth year) Alma Mater, Year: New Mexico State, 1993 Office Phone: (520) 621-5777 Assistant Coach: Laura Myerscough (second year) Alma Mater, Year: University of Arizona, 2003 Office Phone: (520) 621-9236 Women’s Golf Office Fax: (520) 621-5793 Arizona Women’s Golf Facts 2008 Pac-10 Finish: T-4th/10 2008 West Regional Finish: 4th/21 Home Course: Arizona National Golf Course Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/2 Newcomers: 4 Front Row (L-R): Brittany Benvenuto, Margarita Ramos, Amanda Wilson, Ashley Malaska, Alejandra Llaneza; Back Row (L-R): Head Coach Shelly Haywood, Nikki Koller, Brooke Schneider, Emily Mason, Marisa Smith, Isabelle Boineau, Assistant Coach Laura Myerscough. Credits The 2008-09 Arizona women’s golf media guide was produced by the UA Athletics Media Relations Office for the use of the media in coverage of Arizona women’s golf. Writing and editing by Eric Montgomery, assistant director of media relations, and Monique Gamez, student assistant. Layout, design and printing by Mike Chavez, Ben Franklin Press, Inc., Tempe, Ariz. Cover photos and interior team photos by Luke Adams. LPGA photos provided by Associated Press.
Front Row (L-R): Brittany Benvenuto, Margarita Ramos, Amanda Wilson, Ashley Malaska, Alejandra Llaneza; Back Row (L-R): Head Coach Shelly Haywood, Nikki Koller, Brooke Schneider, Emily Mason, Marisa Smith, Isabelle Boineau, Assistant Coach Laura Myerscough.
CreditsThe 2008-09 Arizona women’s golf media guide was produced by the UA Athletics Media Relations Office for the use of the media in coverage of Arizona women’s golf. Writing and editing by Eric Montgomery, assistant director of media relations, and Monique Gamez, student assistant. Layout, design and printing by Mike Chavez, Ben Franklin Press, Inc., Tempe, Ariz. Cover photos and interior team photos by Luke Adams. LPGA photos provided by Associated Press.
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Letter From Athletics DirectorA message from
Athletics Director Jim Livengood to prospective Wildcats
Thank you for your interest in the University of Arizona . As you consider the important choice of an institution of higher education at which you’ll continue your academic and athletic careers, I hope that you will become more fully aware about what the University of Arizona has to offer .
First and foremost, the University is an outstanding academic insti-tution with a tremendous national reputation . As a Carnegie Research I and Land Grant institution, its status as a public university is really sec-ond to none . You can rest assured that all the institution’s educational resources and an outstanding teaching faculty will come into play as you seek an academic degree in any number of fields of endeavor .
Your quality of education is very important to us . While there is no question that your athletic ability plays a huge factor in our inter-est in you as a student-athlete, it cannot be overemphasized that the “student” part of the term student-athlete is dear to us . We want you to succeed, and we understand that earning an undergraduate degree forms the foundation for future success in life .
The Wildcat coaching staff is clearly one of the best in the Pac-10 and nationally . Head coach Greg Allen has brought in leaders from across the country, women to whom success and a tradition of winning through hard work and dedication comes naturally . The coaching and the entire athletics department staff are committed to the suc-cess of our student-athletes . Our women’s golf program will be a winning program, and much of that will derive from the exceptional staff .
We have worked diligently to keep University of Arizona athletic facilities better than, or equal to, any other . You will note this on a visit — whether it is the legendary McKale Center, the computer center or our vibrant new strength or conditioning and treatment centers . The entire athletic department is housed in McKale Center and af-fords student-athletes with all the resources and individual services needed to succeed both in and out the gym .
Tucson is one of the largest college towns in America . While the city itself approaches a general population of nearly one million people, the University of Arizona remains a focal point . Its teaching, research and service mis-sions reach across the globe, but UA athletics continues to be a favorite for much of Tucson’s population . Tucson and the U of A go hand in hand and it makes for a unique relationship, as student-athletes are well known and supported in the community .
Again, thank you for considering the University of Arizona . We are interested in you as a student-athlete, as a young woman with bright overall potential and as a person who has what it takes to become an Arizona Wildcat .
Sincerely,
Jim Livengood
www.arizonaathletics.com 3
2008-09 Women’s Golf RosterName Ht. Cl.-Exp. Hometown (Last School)Brittany Benvenuto 5-4 Jr . Langhorne, Pa . (Neshaminy HS)Isabelle Boineau 5-6 Fr . Marseille, France (CNED)Nikki Koller 5-6 Fr . Lewisburg, Ky . (Russellville HS)Alejandra Llaneza 5-2 So . Mexico City, Mexico (CAEA)Ashley Malaska 5-4 Fr . Mesa, Ariz . (Red Mountain HS)Emily Mason 5-11 Jr . Highland, Calif . (Redlands East Valley HS)Margarita Ramos 5-4 Fr . Mexico City, Mexico (Xavier College Preparatory)Brooke Schneider 5-11 Sr . Cave Creek, Ariz . (Cactus Shadows HS)Marisa Smith 5-6 Sr . Scottsdale, Ariz . (Xavier College Preparatory)Amanda Wilson 5-4 Sr . Hilo, Hawaii . (Waiake HS)
Head Coach: Shelly Haywood (Fourth Year)Assistant Coach: Laura Myerscough (Second Year)
Mountain Shoot Out Sept . 15-16, Flagstaff, Ariz . Host: Northern Arizona UniversitySID Contact: Steve ShaffSID Phone: 928-523-6792SID E-mail: steven .shaff@nau .eduWeb site: nau .newtier .com Mason Rudolph ChampionshipSept .26-28, Nashville, Tenn . Host: Vanderbilt UniversitySID Contact: Andy Boggs SID E-mail: andy .boggs@Vanderbilt .EduWeb site: vucommodores .cstv .com
NCAA National Championship May 20-23, Owings Millis, Maryland Host: Georgetown University SID Contact: Mike “Mex” Carey SID Phone: 202-687-2475SID E-mail: mbc32@georgetown .eduWeb site: guhoyas .cstv .com
2008-2009 Tournament Quick Facts
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2008-09 Women’s Golf PreviewChange can often be met with optimism,
other times with pessimism . The 2008-09 Arizona women’s golf team chooses to see the glass as half full despite losing its top player from last season, Alison Walshe, another in a long line of Wildcats to join the professional ranks .
In the past, the Wildcats often relied on their one low score to carry them to the top of the leader board . While this youthful group has the potential to post the low scores needed to threaten for tournament titles, it will be a con-sistent approach that is expected to permeate throughout the season .
“I don’t think you’ll see a lot of high num-bers out of our girls,” said head coach Shelly Haywood, whose starting lineup will often in-clude no more than two upper class players . “I obviously expect to see some under par rounds . You might not see some really low 65 or 66 rounds, though we’re definitely capable, but I think we’ll be much more consistent .”
Part of that consistency is a newly-created balance in the lineup . The difference between number one and number five will be much smaller this season, putting the onus on all five players to perform each week in order to maintain their spot in the lineup .
“I think our number five player will help us this year,” remarked Haywood . “If that player can help throw out a bad round, it will make a huge difference . We’ve got 5 or 6 players that can shoot under par at any moment . Even though we’re young, our freshmen are very experienced and played in a lot of international tournaments .”
FreshmenLooking at her younger players, Haywood is
excited about the addition of freshmen Margarita Ramos, Isabelle Boineau, Nikki Koller and Ashley Malaska . Ramos, from Mexico, and Boineau, a native of France, both bring a wealth of inter-national experience to the team and should chal-lenge for a regular spot in the lineup each week . Koller and Malaska are talented players who will also have a chance to break into the starting five if they can make some specific improvements to their games .
“Margarita is an incredibly talented play-er and is incredibly consistent,” commented Haywood . “Of all the girls on the team, she’s probably the best driver on the team . You rarely see her miss the fairway and she’s a wonderful ball-striker . She’s a great personality and brings a lot of energy to the team .”
“Isabelle possesses an amazing resume . She’s the top-ranked amateur in France and is a very steady, consistent player that doesn’t let her emotions get to her on the course . She’s got more international experience than anyone on
the team as a freshman . We’re really looking for-ward to her breaking into that lineup .”
“Nikki is a great kid who is very steady, a very good student and a very good player . She’s very athletic and very determined . I’m looking for very good things out of Nikki . She’s a grinder . She never gives up .”
“Ashley is a great athlete and comes in with a lot of instruction . She’s only played golf for about three years . She’s a really hard worker and determined . She just needs a little bit more ex-perience .”
SophomoresJust one sophomore will tee off for the
Wildcats in 2008-09, but she will be an important part of the team . Alejandra Llaneza, another na-tive of Mexico, was an honorable mention all-Pac-10 selection last season and finished third on the team last season in stroke average . She finished second at the Mexican Women’s Amateur in January 2008 and is the only returning player to card a round in the 60s last season .
“Alejandra is our most consistent player right now . She’s very strong and she’s a bulldog out there . She’s very gritty and determined . I look for her to step it up this year . She’s been working hard in the gym and we’re really proud of her .”
JuniorsHaywood has two juniors to rely on for ex-
perience and leadership this season in Brittany Benvenuto and Emily Mason . Benvenuto comes into the season after a strong summer where she won the Pennsylvania State Amateur, downing golf legend Carol Semple-Thompson, 4 and 3, in the process . Mason is another consistent player who saw plenty of first team action last season after battling through injuries during the early part of her career .
“Brittany struggled with her confidence a little last year, but she worked hard all summer . She has worked incredibly hard on her golf swing and her confidence . She is hitting the ball better than I’ve ever seen her hit it . She brings a great energy to our lineup and everyone looks to her .”
“Emily played with us most of the Spring last season and is a very consistent player . She’s been working really hard on her putting . She’s one of those kids that is working hard at break-ing into one of those top five spots .”
SeniorsA trio of fourth-year players round out the
Arizona roster, bringing a wealth of knowledge, leadership and experience that should prove to be invaluable for the younger Wildcats through-out the season .
Amanda Wilson is the most experienced player on the team when it comes to collegiate play . She has shown that she can perform on the big stages and the Wildcats will need her to be a consistent scorer each week .
“Amanda has played in almost every tour-nament since she came to UofA . She has a ton of college golf experience . She’s the one that we need to look for for some low numbers this year . If Amanda plays well, the team will play well . I look for Amanda to lead the team and get it done on the golf course .”
Team captain Marisa Smith is the type of player every coach wants on their team . A leader both on and off the course for the Wildcats, she exemplifies selflessness and possesses the lead-ership qualities that few players ever bring to a team .
“Marisa is the best team captain I could have asked for . She’s very involved with all of the girls and very organized . She is definitely the glue that holds the team together . She’s been playing very well of late, she’s very determined and the girls look to her for leadership both on and off the golf course .”
The last piece of the Arizona puzzle is Brooke Schneider, another player who provides leadership in a number of intangible ways .
“Brooke is working on getting stronger and as her consistency improves, she will have better opportunities to contribute on the golf course .”
Haywood is optimistic, but also realistic about the strengths and weaknesses of her team . Though she does not possess any big hitters, her team should excel with its short game, a place all golfers know leads to low scores .
“Off the tee, we’re not exceptionally long, but I think we’ll be much more consistent . We’re all very good putters . Our putting stats in our top five have been really good . To be able to look at a birdie putt and expect to make it is a huge thing for us . I think we need to continue to im-prove on our short game, but then you never stop working on that part of your golf game, even if you’re Tiger Woods .
The leadership that Haywood has boasted so much about has given the team a sense of unity that has lacked at times in the past . That unity should be crucial as the team plays one of the toughest schedules of any team in the NCAA .
“Our team unity this season is really incred-ible . In past seasons, we haven’t all been on the same page . With the people we have this year, we’re all on the same page and everyone wants the same things . We’re going to surprise some people this year . People aren’t giving us a lot of credit right now because we have two or three freshmen in the lineup and a sophomore and it’s kind of an unknown .”
www.arizonaathletics.com 5
2008-09 Wildcats
Brooke Schneider5-11, Senior, Cave Creek, Ariz.
(Cactus Shadows HS)Junior (2007-08): Saw action in three events . . . Posted a season-low round (80) in her
last round played . . . Tied for 81st place at the PING/ASU Invitational with a 29-over 245 total . . . Finished 89th at the Wildcat Invitational with a 48-over 261 tally . . . Made her season debut at the NCAA Preview, but withdrew in the final round .
Sophomore (2006-07): Competed in one event for the Wildcats . . .Concluded the season with an 88 .00 stroke average .
Freshman (2005-06): One of three walk-ons during the 2005-06 season . . . Competed in four events for the Wildcats . . . Finished the season ranked ninth on the team with a stroke average of 80 .72 . . . Placed 21st at the Mountain Shootout with a total of 159 (+13) . . . Helped Arizona place fifth at the Mountain Shootout . . . Earned a runner-up finish on the Collegiate Players Tour in July .
High School: Prepped at Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek . . . A four-year letter winner in golf who played in the No . 1 position . . . Team captain her senior year . . . Selected team MVP her sophomore and senior seasons . . . Named first team all-state her junior and se-nior year and second team all-state her sophomore season . . . Won medalist honor at the 2004 4A West Valley Region Conference Championship . . . Holds the high school record for the most medalist honors . . . Earned Good Student Award . . . Played Junior League softball . . . Swam with a private swim team .
Junior Golf: Selected to the Arizona’s Girls America’s Cup Team in 2004 . . . Earned indi-vidual medalist honors at the 2003 and 2005 Thunderbird Junior Classic . . . Finished fourth out of 21 at the Yuma City Junior Championship in 2004 . . . Placed second in the 2004 Phoenix Metro Junior Championship . . . Finished third out of 21 golfers at the 2004 Antigua/Milt Coggins Arizona Junior Stroke Play, and a year later finished second at the same tournament . . . Placed second in the 2004 Phoenix City Junior Championship, qualifying for the Big “I” tournament in Ardmore, Okla . . . . Tied for third place at the Las Vegas Founders Junior Championship in 2004 . . . Finished fifth at the 2004 Tucson City Junior Championship . . . Placed second at the 2004 Kingman City Junior Championship . . . Tied for sixth at the 2004 Arizona State Junior Championship . . . Tied for fourth at the 2005 Phoenix City Junior Championship .
Personal: Full Name: Brooke Marie Schneider . . . Born Dec . 12, 1986, in Glendale . . . Daughter of Jim and Kathy Schneider . . . Father is in the real estate business and mother is a quilter . . . Has a younger sister, Rebecca . . . Cousin Bessie Hatch ran track for Tulane and cousin Birdie Hatch ran track for UCLA . . . Is left handed . . . Major is undecided . . . List hobbies as traveling and shopping .
Season Tourn. Rnds. Strokes Avg. Low Rnd. Low Tourn. < Par
(Xavier Prep)Junior (2007-08): Saw action in eight rounds last season . . . Low round is a 77, reg-
istered in her opening round of the season . . . Finished 83rd at the PING/ASU Invitational with a 30-over 246 aggregate . . . Opened the season with a 77-88-87=252 (+36) to finish in 90th place at the Mason Rudolph Championship .
Sophomore (2006-07): Competed in two events for the Wildcats . . . Shot a tourna-ment low round of 76 at the Wildcat Invitational . . . Stroke average of 81 .00 ranked fifth on the team .
Freshman (2005-06): Competed in five events for the Wildcats . . . Helped her team finish third at the Mountain Shootout and 17th at the Wildcat Invitational . . . Over the summer, shot a 74 in the Heater Farr Trophy Matches, a Ryder Cup-style event where the 10 best amateurs in Arizona compete against the top-10 professionals .
High School: Graduate of Xavier College Prep in Scottsdale . . . A four-year letter win-ner in golf . . . Team co-captain . . . Her high school team has won the Arizona 5A state cham-pionship for the last 24 years . . . Shot a 72 in the 2004 Phoenix City Tournament, helping her earn medalist honors .
Personal: Full Name: Marisa Christina Smith . . . Born Nov . 9, 1986 . . . Daughter of Randy and Christina Smith … Father works for G .E . and mother works for Helms Briscoe . . . Grandfather, George Fenderson, played football at UCLA, and her uncle was a part of the UCLA swim team … Earned the Bronze Congressional Award and is currently working towards the Silver Congressional Award . . . Is active in the National Charity league, serving more than 200 volunteer hours . . . Wants to pursue a Psychology degree at UA . . . Career ambition is to become a physical therapist for a professional athletic team . . . List hobbies as yoga, snorkeling, skiing, cooking and volunteering .
Season Tourn. Rnds. Strokes Avg. Low Rnd. Low Tourn. < Par
(Waiakea HS)Junior (2007-08): Two top-20 finishes to her credit . . . Ranked fourth on the squad with a 77 .32 stroke average . . .
Played in 11 events to date (34 rounds) . . . Two rounds at par or better . . . Finished in a tie for 105th place at the NCAA Championships, May 20-23, with a 76-78-79-85=318 (+30) total . . . Tied for 69th place at the 2008 NCAA West Regional with a 77-76-76=229 (+13) tally . . . Finished in a tie for 32nd place at the Pac-10 Championships with a 20-over 233 . . . Tied for 56th at the PING/ASU Invitational with a 14-over 230 . . . Tied for 14th place at the Dr . Donnis Thompson Invitational with a 71-82-77=230 (+14) tally . . . Finished in a tie for 49th place the Wildcat Invitational with a 233 (+20) total . . . Carded a 75-79-70=224 (+11) to finish 17th at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge . . . The final-round 70 was a career-low round . . . Tied for 46th place at the Las Vegas Showdown after shooting a 76-74-77=227 (+11) . . . Finished in a tie for 53rd place at the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational with a 21-over 237 tally . . . Tied for 88th place at the NCAA Preview . . . Opened the season with a tie for 48th place at the Mason Rudolph Championship with a 73-77-75=225 (+9) .
Sophomore (2006-07): Competed in 11 events for the Wildcats . . .Stroke average of 77 .03 ranked fourth on the team . . .Carded low tournament score of 223 at the Dr . Donnis Thompson Invitational . . . Finished in the top ten at that tournament . . . Shot three rounds at or under par throughout the season . . . Carded a 231 (+15) at the Pac-10 Championships to tie for 15th place . . . Score of 303 (+15) at the NCAA Championships was good enough to tie for 34th place, the highest finish of any Wildcat in the tournament .
Freshman (2005-06): Completed the 2006 season with four top 20 finishes in 11 starts . . . Pac-10 honorable mention selection . . . Low round score of 68 was the best on the team . . . had second lowest tournament score on the team with a 213 total . . . Finished in second at the Mountain Shootout with a 147 total (+1) . . . Tied for fifth at the Las Vegas Showdown after carding a 213 (-3) . . . Finished in a tie for 13th at the Pac-10 Championships with a total score of 225 (+9) . . . Finished with a total of 323 (+35) at the NCAA Championships to place tied for 116th . . . Helped Arizona place 7th at the NCAA West Regional . . . Competed at the NCAA Championships . . . During the summer, shot a 73 at the U .S . Women’s Amateur to become the first alternate for the event .
High School: Prepped at Waiakea High School in Hilo, Hawaii . . . A four-year letter winner in golf . . . Team captain . . . Selected team MVP . . . Was the 2002 Hawaii state champion . . . Finished her senior season with a 75 .00 stroke average in five events . . . Shot a low-round of 70 (-2) during her senior season . . . Finished the Jennie K Invitational 5-under-par during her senior season .
Junior Golf: Placed first in the 2001 and 2003 Men’s Waikoloa Open . . . Competed in the 2001 USGA Girls Junior at Pumpkin Ridge . . . Finished first at the 2001 HSJGA Tournament of Champions and second at the same tournament in 2003 . . . In 2002, finished second at the Jennie K Invitational and first at the Hi All-Star Invitational . . . In 2002, played in the U .S Women’s Amateur Public Links in Sunriver, Ore ., advancing to the quarterfinals before losing to Michelle Wie in 19 holes . . . Finished sixth at the Junior World Championship . . . Advanced through three rounds at the 2003 U .S Women’s Amateur Public Links in Palm Coast, Fla . . . . Runner-up at the 2003 Junior World Championship in San Diego . . .Advanced in two rounds at the 2003 USGA Girls Junior . . . In 2004, placed first in the Jennie K Invitational . . . Participated in the 2004 United States Women’s Open . . . Advanced through two rounds at the 2004 USGA Girls Junior in Fort Worth, Texas .
Personal: Full Name: Amanda Hiroko Wilson . . . Born Oct . 23, 1987, in Hilo . . . Daughter of Daniel and Hanna Wilson . . . Father works in yard mainte-nance and mother is a property manager . . . Has two brothers . . . Both siblings play golf . . . Academic major of interest is education . . . Lists hobbies as going to the beach and hanging out with friends .
(Neshaminy High)Sophomore (2007-08): Won the Pennsylvania State Amateur Championship last
Aug . 22 with a 6 and 5 win over Ali Bode . . . Benvenuto downed amateur golf legend Carol Semple-Thompson, 4 and 3, in the semifinals . . . Finished in sixth place at the Women’s Eastern Amateur Championship at DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Del ., with a 228 total . . . Carried an 82 .07 stroke average through 15 rounds played . . . Low round is a 77 . . . Tied for 87th place at the PING/ASU Invitational with a 36-over 252 total . . . Posted the best finish of her career with a tie for 41st place at the Dr . Donnis Thompson Invitational, where she carded a 77-83-81=241 (+25) total . . . The opening round 77 was her career low round . . . Finished in 84th place at the Wildcat Invitational with a 39-over 252 . . . Tallied a 78-78-81=237 (+21) at the Las Vegas Collegiate to post the low tournament total of her career . . . Opened the season by finishing in 87th place at the Stanford Fall Intercollegiate .
Freshman (2006-07): Competed in six events for the Wildcats . . . completed the season with a stroke average of 83 .11 . . . shot tournament low round of 77 at the Dr . Donnis Thompson Invitational . . . Competed in the NCAA Central Regional, and NCAA Championships for the Wildcats .
High School: Earned four letters in golf at Neshaminy High School . . . Coached by Bruce Immordino . . . Captain of her golf team for two seasons . . . Team went undefeated for two years . . . Scholar-Athlete award winner . . . Studied at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy . . . IJGT All-American . . . Member of the honor roll for four years .
Personal: Full Name: Brittany Michelle Benvenuto … Born June 9, 1988 in Langhorne, Pa . … Daughter of Mike and Tina Benvenuto … Enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, shopping, and playing basketball and volleyball .
Season Tourn. Rnds. Strokes Avg. Low Rnd. Low Tourn. < Par
(Redlands East Valley)Sophomore (2007-08): Ranked fifth on the team with a 80 .23 stroke average
. . . Continued to show improvement, as two of her three low rounds this year came in her last four starts . . . Her low round is a 74 . . . Finished in 124th place at the NCAA Championships, May 20-23, with a 81-82-86-85=334 (+46) total . . . Tied for 98th place at the NCAA West Regional with a 24-over 240 total that included a final-round 76 . . . Finished 42nd at the Pac-10 Championships with a 29-over 242 tally . . . Finished 64th at the PING/ASU Invitational with a 79-79-75=233 (+17) total . . . Tied for 35th place at the Dr . Donnis Thompson Invitational with a 24-over 240 tally . . . Set a new career tournament low with a 74-77-78=229 (+16) and equaled her career-best finish with a tie for 34th at the Wildcat Invitational . . . Her opening-round 74 was a career low as well . . . Finished 75th at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge with a 34-over 247 total .
Freshman (2006-07): Competed in five events for the Wildcats . . . Finished the season with an 81 .20 stroke average, which ranked seventh on the team . . . Shot tour-nament low round score of 78 at the Dr . Donnis Thompson Invitational .
High School: Graduate of Redlands East Valley High in Redlands, Calif . … Earned four letters for golf . . . Finished in sixth place at the CIF during her sophomore season . . . League champion three years in a row . . . Most Valuable Player on her team for four years . . . Won several tournaments in California . . . Coached by Teri Rounds . . . Member of the honor roll . . . Received Outstanding Achievement Awards in various subjects .
Personal: Full Name: Emily Ruth Mason . . . Born October 30, 1988 in Columbia, Mo . … Daughter of Julie and DeWayne Mason . . . Interested in a Communications major . . . Has one sister, Samantha . . . Enjoys art and music . . . Shot a 31 on the front nine of the Champions PGA of Southern California course . . . Played in the USGA tournament in Texas .
Season Tourn. Rnds. Strokes Avg. Low Rnd. Low Tourn. < Par
Freshman (2007-08): An honorable mention all-Pac-10 selection . . . Quickly estab-lished herself in the heart of the UA lineup . . . Finished second at the Mexican Women’s Amateur Championship, Jan . 14, with a six-over 222 total . . . Her stroke average was nearly a half stroke lower (0 .33) over her last 25 rounds played . . . Saw action in all 12 events and ranks third on the team in stroke average and rounds at par or better and second with five top-20 finishes . . . Joins Alison Walshe as the only Wildcats to notch a round in the 60s (2) and post an under-par tournament total . . . Finished in a tie for 93rd place at the NCAA Championships, May 20-23, with a 77-80-82-75=314 (+26) total . . . Tied for 56th place at the 2008 NCAA West Regional with a 78-69-81=228 (+12) effort . . . Finished in a tie for 16th place at the Pac-10 Championships with a 73-77-76=226 (+13) . . . Tied for 24th place at the PING/ASU Invitational with a 72-74-76=222 (+6) . . . Earned a 12th place finish at the Dr . Donnis Thompson Invitational with a 77-72-79=228 (+12) . . . Tallied a 70-78-76=224 (+11) to tie for 16th place at the Wildcat Invitational . . . Tied for 45th at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge with a 17-over 230 total . . . Posted her best finish and low tourna-ment total of the season with a 69-70-75=214 (-2) total at the Las Vegas Collegiate . . . Her opening-round 69 was her season low . . . Carded a 72-75-73=220 (+7) to tie for 16th place at the Stanford Fall Intercollegiate . . . Tied for 41st at the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational with a 17-over 233 total . . . Finished in a tie for 61st place at the NCAA Preview with an 11-over 230 . . . Tied for 77th place at the Mason Rudolph Championship win an 18-over 234 .
High School: Graduated from CAEA in 2007 . . .Five time State Champion (Mexico City) . . .Five time National Champion . . .First place finish at the Texas Junior Golf Tour . . .First place at the Junior’s American Cup . . .Finished third at the Callaway Junior World Championship . . .Played in the American Junior Golf Association for four years . . .2002-03 Player of the Year . . .Played in six LPGA tournaments in Mexico .
Personal: Full name is Alejandra Llaneza…Daughter of Jorge Llaneza and Ma . Concepcion Llaneza…Has one sister…Academic major is undecided…Golf swing coach is Rafael Alarcon, who is also Lorena Ochoa’s coach…Enjoys playing soccer, tennis, and going to the movies with friends .
Season Tourn. Rnds. Strokes Avg. Low Rnd. Low Tourn. < Par
High School: Won two French championships (13-14 years-old and 17-18) in 2003 and 2007 … Won the 2006 French International and placed third at the European Young Masters in 2008 … Runner-up at the 2008 Duke of York … Was the top-ranked French Amateur in 2007 … Individual runner-up at the Spirit International, while her team placed fourth . . . Helped France finish fourth at the 2008 World Amateur … Has competed in Europe, South Africa, and Scotland … Coach is Dominique Larretche
Personal: Born June 13, 1989, in Marseille, France … Daughter of Jean-Louis and Therese Boineau … Plans to major in business … Career objective is to be top 10 in the LPGA … Hobbies are listening to music and going to the cinema .
Season Tourn. Rnds. Strokes Avg. Low Rnd. Low Tourn. < Par
2008 Fall 4 10 752 75 .10 70 224 (+8) 0
2008 Fall Tournament, Scores, Places
9/15-9/16 Mountain Shootout, 71-74---145 (-1) T2
10/6-10/7, Windy City Collegiate Championship, 74-76-74---224 (+8) T9
11/2-11/4 Collegiate Match Play Champ ., 82-76---159 (+15) T70
12
2008-09 Wildcats
Nikki Koller5-6, Fr., Lewisburg, Ky.
High School: Earned a total of 15 varsity letters (seven golf, five swimming, three marching band) … 2007-08 female Athlete of the Year, first-team all-state, out-standing senior athlete in Kentucky … Competed in 2008 U .S . Women’s Amateur and advanced to round 32 … 2006-07 Kentucky high school state champion, all-classes, for coach Dennis Pardue … Academic all-state for four years (2005-08), top five in high school graduating class with a 4 .0 GPA, outstanding senior .
Personal: Born July 23, 1990, in Owensboro, Ky . … Full name is Nicole Joslin Koller … Daughter of Michael and Donna Koller … Father is a dentist mother is self employed … Brother, Alex, attends the U .S . Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md . … Has been to eight foreign countries … Major is undeclared … Lists hobbies as traveling, reading, watching old movies, and spending time with family .
Season Tourn. Rnds. Strokes Avg. Low Rnd. Low Tourn. < Par
High School: Earned seven letters (one soccer, three softball, three golf) … Won a softball state championship in 2006 … Named best female athlete 2004 and Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year in 2004 for soccer … A three-time golf first-team all-region selection (2005-07) … Graduated from high school with honors, top-10 percent in Arizona on a statewide math test, and top-20 percent in high school class .
Personal: Born April 19, 1990, in Murray, Utah … Full name is Ashley Rose Malaska … Daughter of Mike and Charlene Malaska … Father is a golf pro and mother is a real estate agent … Parents attended Weber University … Father played golf at Weber State and on the PGA Tours and is the worldwide director of instruction for Jack Nicklaus Academies … He is one of the top-50 teachers in the game, according to Golf Digest … She has lived in Japan for three years … Met and spoken with Jack Nicklaus numerous times about her golf game … Started playing golf three years ago … Plans to major in business marketing … Career objective is to be a pro golfer … Lists hob-bies as all sports, working out, baking, shopping, and going to the movies
Season Tourn. Rnds. Strokes Avg. Low Rnd. Low Tourn. < Par
2008 Fall 1 2 170 85 .00 83 170 0
2008 Fall Tournament, Scores, Places
9/15-9/16 Mountain Shootout 87-83---170 (+24) 33
14
Women’s Golf
Margarita Ramos5-4, Fr.,Mexico City, Mexico
High school: Earned four letters at Xavier College Prep in Phoenix, Ariz . . Helped team win Arizona Class 4A state championship for Coach Mike Malaska . A Mexican national champion . Has played competitively in Mexico, Canada, and Europe . Earned prestigious recognition of being AJGA All-American
Personal: Born Jan . 31, 1990, in Mexico City, Mexico . Daughter of Margarita and Babrero Luis Ramos . Brother, Luis, plays golf . Moved to the U .S . eight years ago to pursue dream of playing golf . Plans to major in business . Career objective is to graduate . Lists hobbies as going to the movies, hanging out with friends and playing sports .
Season Tourn. Rnds. Strokes Avg. Low Rnd. Low Tourn. < Par
11/2-11/4 Collegiate Match Play Championship 76-74---150 (+6) T42
www.arizonaathletics.com 15
Wildcat Coaching Staff
Head Coach Shelly Haywood
Fifth year at ArizonaShelly Haywood was named head women’s golf coach at the University of Arizona
on July 10, 2007, after three successful seasons as the Wildcats’ assistant coach . Haywood, now in her fourth year at Arizona, was a two-time all-Big West
Conference selection at New Mexico State University . Haywood is a proven force in the game on a local and national level as a member of the Ladies Professional Golfers’ Association (LPGA), the USGA Women’s Amateur Public Links Committee, and an hon-orary member of the Arizona Golf Association’s Board of Governors . She is actively involved in supporting and donating to the Tucson junior golf community through clinics and speaking engagements . She was a multi-sport athlete in high school, let-tering in volleyball, basketball and softball .
In October 2005, Haywood was given the LPGA’s highest coaching honor, the National Coach of the Year, and was the recipient of the LPGA’s Western Section Coach of the Year in 2005 . She was also nominated for NGCA’s Assistant Coach of the Year in her first two seasons at Arizona .
An accomplished player and teacher, Haywood was a member of the West Coast Ladies Tour from 2002-04 . In 2004, she also earned two top-10 finishes in the Colorado Women’s Open and the Nevada Women’s Open . Since moving to Tucson in 1993, she has worked alongside her husband, award winning PGA Professional Michael Haywood, Director of Golf, at Tucson Country Club .
Since arriving at Arizona, Haywood has fostered the growth of the Arizona women’s golf program with her passionate coaching style and en-thusiastic vision for success . Haywood has coached some of the finest Wildcats, including first team All-American and 2008 Curtis Cup team member Alison Walshe, All-Americans Adriana Zwanck, Cassandra Kirkland, Lani Elston and Mary Jacobs . Additionally, eight all-Pac 10 selections and the
program’s only four-time NGCA All-Academic athlete, Whitney Welch, have played for Haywood . Since arriving at Arizona, Haywood has coached players to seven individual titles that include some of the nation’s most presti-gious championships .
A motivated, driven and enthusiastic coach, Haywood has assembled one of the nation’s finest recruiting classes for 2008-09 . The list includes two-time Kentucky state champion Nikki Koller, No . 1-ranked Mexican junior amateur Margarita Ramos, Mesa Red Mountain High School’s Ashley Malaska, daughter of PGA Professional Mike Malaska, and No . 1 French junior amateur Isabelle Boineau . Boineau also represented her home country in the most recent World Amateur Team Championship .
Haywood enjoys cycling, working out, traveling with her husband and spending time with their two cats . She would eventu-ally like to compete in a triathlon .
Haywood is a graduate of New Mexico State University, earning a degree in Professional Golf Management with a minor in Exercise Physiology .
16
Wildcat Coaching Staff
Assistant Coach Laura Myerscough
Second year at ArizonaLaura Myerscough joined the Wildcat coaching staff as a full-time assistant coach on
Jan . 3, 2008 . Myerscough, who played for the Wildcats from 1998-2003, spent the previous five
seasons playing professionally on the LPGA Tour, Futures Tour and the West Coast Ladies Golf Tour . Her best season was 2004 in which she finished 147th on the LPGA Tour money list . Myerscough ranked eighth on the 2003 Futures Tour with a 72 .1 stroke average with three top-10 finishes .
“I can’t think of a better place to start my coaching career than at the University of Arizona,” said Myerscough . “I am excited about the opportunity to work with Shelly and a very talented group of student-athletes .”
Myerscough, 27, was a part of one national championship (2000) and three Pac-10 Championship (2000, 2001, 2002) teams during her five seasons as a Wildcat . In 33 career collegiate appearances, Myerscough posted a 75 .92 stroke average to go with eight top-10 and four top-20 finishes .
She was a National Golf Coaches Association honorable mention All-American and a second-team all-Pac-10 selection in 2002 . Myerscough earned honorable mention all-Pac-10 accolades in 2001 and 2003 as well . She was the UA team captain as a senior in 2002-03 .
Originally from Charleston, Ill ., Myerscough was the runner-up at the 2000 United States Women’s Amateur Championship . She also played in the 2001, 2002 and 2004 U .S . Women’s Opens, the 2002 Curtis Cup and represented the United States at the 2000 and 2002 World Amateur Championship . For three seasons (2000-03), Myerscough was ranked in the top 10 in Golfweek magazine’s amateur rankings .
“Laura is a great addition to our staff,” said Haywood . “She’s had an outstanding playing career as both an amateur and a professional and I believe she will be an excellent coach .”
Myerscough earned her degree in physical education from Arizona in December 2007
Women’s Golf HistoryYearly Results (1981-2008)Year Coach Conference Finish Regional NCAA1981 JoAnne Lusk 4th 14th-AIAW1982 JoAnne Lusk 3rd 13th-AIAW1983 JoAnne Lusk 3rd 11th 1984 Kim Haddow 4th DNQ1985 Kim Haddow 4th DNQ1986 Kim Haddow 5th DNQ1987 Kim Haddow 4th 12th 1988 Kim Haddow 5th 8th 1989 Kim Haddow 3rd 4th 1990 Kim Haddow 2nd 7th 1991 Kim Haddow 2nd 3rd 1992 Kim Haddow 1st 2nd 1993 Kim Haddow 8th 7th 14th 1994 Kim Haddow 6th 11th DNQ1995 Haddow/LaRose 4th 8th 12th 1996 Rick LaRose T3rd 1st 1st 1997 Rick LaRose 1st 2nd 3rd 1998 Rick LaRose 1st 1st 3rd1999 Todd McCorkle 2nd 2nd 4th2000 Todd McCorkle 1st 1st 1st 2001 Greg Allen 1st 1st 8th 2002 Greg Allen 1st 4th T2nd 2003 Greg Allen 2nd 5th 7th 2004 Greg Allen 3rd 2nd T15th 2005 Greg Allen 4th 13th DNQ 2006 Greg Allen 5th 7th 17th 2007 Greg Allen 4th 5th 14th 2008 Shelly Haywood 4th 4th 23rd
Pacific-10 Championship HistoryYear Site Team Champion Arizona Best1987 Oro Valley CC, Tucson, Ariz . Arizona St . Martina Koch (25th)1988 Sahalee CC, Redmond, Wash . Arizona St . Martina Koch (9th)1989 Annadale GC, Pasadena, Calif . Southern Cal . Martina Koch (3rd)1990 Stanford GC, Palo Alto, Calif . UCLA Martina Koch (2nd)1991 Eugene CC, Eugene, Ore . UCLA Annika Sorenstam (2nd)1992 Karstan GC, Tempe, Ariz . Arizona Annika Sorenstam (1st)1993 Walla Walla CC, Walla Walla, Wash . Arizona St . Ulrika Johansson (10th)1994 Brentwood CC, Brentwood, Calif . Arizona St . Leta Lindley (T-1st)1995 Corvallis, Ore . Arizona St . Heather Graff (2nd)1996 Raven GC: Tucson, Ariz . Arizona St . Marisa Baena (1st)1997 Tacoma C&G Club; Tacoma, Wash . Arizona Marisa Baena (2nd)1998 Tiejeras Creek GC; Rancho S . Marg, Calif . Arizona Jenna Daniels (1st)1999 Stanford GC, Stanford, Calif . Stanford Cristina Baena (T6th)2000 Eugene Country Club, Eugene, Ore . Arizona Jenna Daniels (2nd)2001 Karsten GC, Tempe, Ariz . Arizona Lorena Ochoa (1st)2002 Walla Walla CC, Walla Walla, Wash . Arizona Lorena Ochoa (2nd)2003 Tysting Tree Golf Club, Corvallis, Ore . California Erica Blasberg (3rd)2004 Saticoy Country Club, Somis, Calif . UCLA Erica Blasberg (3rd) 2005 Ruby Hills Golf Club, Pleasanton, Calif . UCLA Cassandra Kirkland (T3rd)2006 Oro Valley Country Club, Tucson, Ariz . UCLA Amanda Wilson (T13th)2007 Broadmoor Country Club, Seattle, Wash . Arizona St . Alison Walshe (6th)2008 Palos Verdes Golf Club, Palos Verdes, Calif . USC Mary Jacobs (T10th)
NCAA Championship HistoryYear Host Team Champion Individual Champion Arizona Best1982 Stanford Tulsa Kathy Baker, Tulsa Nanch Tomich (16th)1983 Georgia Texas Christian Penny Hammel, Miama (Fla .) Denise Martinez (36th)1984 Georgia Miami (Fla .) Cindy Schreyer, Georgia DNQ1985 Amherst Florida D . Ammaccapene, Ariz . St . DNQ1986 Ohio State Florida Page Dunlop, Florida DNQ1987 New Mexico San Jose St . Caroline Keggi, New Mexico Martina Koch (25th)1988 New Mexico St . Tulsa Melissa McNamara, Tulsa Martina Koch (13th)1989 Stanford San Jose St . Pat Hurst, San Jose State Susan Slaughter (2nd)1990 S . Carolina Arizona St . Susan Slaughter, Arizona Susan Slaughter (1st)1991 Ohio State UCLA Annika Sorenstam, Arizona Annika Sorenstam (1st)1992 Arizona St . San Jose St . Vicki Goetze, Georgia Annika Sorenstam (2nd)1993 Georgia Arizona St . Charlotta Sorenstam, Texas Leta Lindley (3rd)1994 Oregon Arizona St . Emilee Klein, ASU DNQ1995 UNC-Wilmington Arizona St . K . Mourgue d’Algue, ASU Heather Graff (14th)1996 UCLA Arizona Marisa Baena, Arizona Marisa Baena (1st)1997 Ohio State Arizona State Heather Bowie, Texas Marisa Baena (T2nd)1998 Wisconsin Arizona State Jennifer Rosales, USC Jenna Daniels (8th)1999* Tulsa Duke Grace Park, Arizona State Jenna Daniels/Krissie Register (T7th)2000 Oregon St . Arizona Jenna Daniels, Arizona Jenna Daniels (1st)2001 Stetson Georgia Candy Hannemann, Duke Lorena Ochoa (2nd)2002 Washington Duke Virada Nirapathpongporn, Duke Lorena Ochoa (T2nd)2003 Purdue Southern Cal Milkaela Parmild, Southern Cal Erics Blasberg (T3rd)2004 Auburn UCLA Sarah Huarte, California Erica Blasberg (T29th)2005 Oregon State Duke Anna Grzebien, Duke DNQ2006 Ohio State Duke Dewi Schreefel, USC Cassandra Kirkland (T29th)2007 Central Florida Duke Stacy Lewis, Arkansas Amanda Wilson (T34th)2008 New Mexico USC Azahara Munoz, Arizona St . Alison Walshe (T28th)* Tournament was only three rounds + the fourth was cancelled due to rain
National Player of the Year2003 . . . . . . . . .Erica Blasberg (Golfweek Magazine)2001 & 2002 . . .Lorena Ochoa (NGCA Award)2000 . . . . . . . . .Jenna Daniels (Honda Award for Golf, NGCA Award)1996 & 1997 . . .Marisa Baena (Honda Award for Golf, NGCA Award)1991 . . . . . . . . .Annika Sorenstam (NGCA Award, Golfweek)
National Rankings(Highest National Rankings during the year: NGCA Poll, Golfweek
Women’s Golf HistoryUnited States Golf Association Champions1997 Marisa Baena United States Amateur Runner-up1996 Heather (Graff) Zakhar United States Publinx Champion Annika Sorenstam United States Open Champion1995 Annika Sorenstam United States Open Champion2000 Laura Myerscough United States Amateur Runner-up2006 Annika Sorenstam United States Open Champion
University of Arizona Professional PlayersCristina Baena Chris Johnson Laura MyerscoughMarisa Baena Kim Kell Lorena OchoaMichelle Bell Cassandra Kirkland Susan PankauErica Blasberg Martina Koch Debbie ParksKris Derdenger Julia Kraschinski Krissie RegisterHeather Drew Miriam Kraschinski Susan SlaughterLauren Espinosa Leta Lindley Annika SorenstamPaige Gilbert Kathryn Marshall-Imrie Julie StangerJill Gomric Beth Martin Christina TolestonMette Hageman Denise Martinez Nancy TomichDana Heffernan Christina Monteiro Cathie WilliamsonKris Hoos Susie (Berdoy) Myers Heather Zakhar
Individual ChampionsIndividual NCAA Champions and Players of the Year
Lorena OchoaGuadalajara, Mexico
2001 and 2002 Player of the Year, First-team All-AmericanLorena Ochoa accomplished more in a two-year collegiate career than most golfers can hope to achieve in a lifetime . The
5-foot-7-inch star from Guadalajara, Mexico, finished in first or second places in 18 of the 20 collegiate events in which she com-peted . She closed her college campaign as the most successful golfer in Arizona history, winning 12 individual titles to set a new school record for career victories .
Perhaps most impressive of Ochoa’s accomplishments is her NCAA-record winning streak of seven straight wins accomplished in her sophomore season . Her streak ranks second among all recognized streaks in the history of modern golf . Only Byron Nelson boasts a winning streak longer than Ochoa’s as he won 11 consecutive tournaments in 1945 .
In her freshman season, Ochoa set an NCAA record for scoring average as she totaled a mark of 71 .33 . But the native of Guadalajara, Mexico, returned her in her second year to shatter her own record as she posted a sophomore-scoring average of 70 .13, nearly two strokes below par .
Her consistently-dominating performances over the course of her two-year Arizona career led to her being named the na-tion’s Player of the Year in both of her seasons of collegiate golf . Her name is etched sundry times in the national and Arizona record books as the golfer against whom all future collegiate greats will be measured .
Marisa BaenaPereira, Colombia
Two-Time Player of the Year, 1996 Pac-10, NCAA West Regional and NCAA Champion
On May 25, 1996, Marisa Baena completed one of the most impressive sweeps in Arizona golf history . Having already captured the Pac-10 and NCAA West Regional individual titles, Baena put the finishing touches to a rare postseason hat trick by finishing the NCAA Championships with a score of 296, seven strokes ahead of second place finisher Kellee Booth of ASU . What made the accomplishment even more remarkable was that Baena was only nine months into her career as a Wildcat .
Baena accomplished more in her freshman season than most can achieve in a four-year career . With her individual cham-pionship she joined the ranks of the Cats’ two other NCAA individual champions, Susan Slaughter (1990) and Annika Sorenstam (1991) . With that complete, she proceeded to lead the Arizona women to their first-ever national championship by hitting a cru-cial shot on the first hole of the playoff to cap one of the most dramatic finishes in championship history . She holed an eight-iron shot from 147 yards out to record an eagle two on the hole and put her name in collegiate golfing history .
Baena was named the Eleanor Dudley National Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997 and she came within two shots of earning a second consecutive individual NCAA title in 1997 . Her postseason accomplishments during her freshman season were preceded by five first-place finishes and a third and fourth-place performance in her last seven tournaments .
She completed her three-year career at Arizona as one of the most successful golfers in the school’s history . A three-time All-American and All-Pac-10 selection, Baena led the team to numerous No . 1 rankings, two Pac-10 championships and two NCAA West Regional championships . She captured nine individual crowns in her career and placed in the top-10 23 out of 28 tournaments .
Jenna DanielsBonita, California
2000 NCAA Champion and Player of the Year, First-team All-American
Jenna Daniels closed her Arizona career at the pinnacle of the college golf world . Daniels capped a season that saw her win three tournaments and earn eight top-five finishes, including a three-stroke victory over teammate Julia Kraschinski at the NCAA Championships . Her performance at the NCAA Championships was instrumental to the Wildcats’ success, as it had been all season long . Behind Daniels’ efforts, the Wildcats cruised to the program’s second national championship with a 21-stroke victory, the third largest margin in the 19-year history of the tournament .
Daniels anchored a Wildcat squad that won nine tournaments, including its final eight of the season, with a 71 .70 stroke average . She held down the nation’s top spot in the rankings for a majority of the year . Daniels dominated throughout a season that never saw her finish a tournament below 15th place .
By capturing the NCAA Championship, she completed a postseason triple crown . Daniels won the NCAA West Regional in her junior year and the Pac-10 Conference Championship in her freshman year .
Her postseason accolades matched her regular season performances . Daniels won the Honda Award for women’s golf, honor-ing the nation’s top collegiate women’s golfer and was named first team All-American .
24
Individual ChampionsIndividual NCAA Champions and Players of the Year
Erica BlasbergCorona, California
2003 Golfweek Player of the Year, First-team All-American in 2003 and 2004
Erica Blasberg’s freshman season was one of the most decorated in Arizona women’s golf history . The Corona, Calif ., native captured two tournament titles and placed in the top-5 in seven tournaments . In addition to her regular season success, Blasberg came in third at both the Pac-10 Championships and NCAA Championships . In 30 rounds of golf Blasberg shot even to or under par 16 times . Blasberg’s success was shown by the accolades she received . She was named Pac-10 Golfer and Freshman o the Year, All-American by the NGCA, Golfstat Cup (given to the nation’s lowest stroke average) and Golfweek and Golfworld Player of the Year .
Susan SlaughterFloyd, Virginia
1990 NCAA Champion and First-team All-American
Susan Slaughter saved her best for last in winning the 1990 individual NCAA Championship at the Arthur Hills Course on Hilton Head Island, S .C . After finishing second at the 1989 championships as a freshman, Slaughter found herself in the heat of the race the next season as well . This time she faced the pressure of a sudden-death playoff and came out on top by sinking a two-foot birdie putt to capture the title after going into the final round a stroke out of first place .
Her performance earned her first team All-America honors and gave her the distinction of being Arizona’s first NCAA golf champion . Her second-place finish the year before had been the highest finish by an Arizona woman and it tied the best finish posted by the men . The come-from-behind victory capped a season in which Slaughter struggled but proved that she could come up big when it was important . Her highest finish of the year until then had been a couple of fifth-place ties . But she did not forget the advice given to her by Michael Jordan after the 1989 NCAA awards ceremony . “He told me to improve one spot and I would win this year,” said Slaughter .
Annika SorenstamStockholm, Sweden
1991 Player of the Year and NCAA Champion; Two-time All-American;
1992 Pac-10 Champion
There is nothing unassuming about the trail of accomplishments that Annika Sorenstam left in her wake at Arizona . The quiet Swede made plenty of noise in her two seasons as a Wildcat by winning the national championship as a freshman in 1991 and following that with a Pac-10 championship in 1992 before turning pro after her sophomore season . In addition to earning first-team All-American and All-Pac-10 honors, she was named the 1991 Player of the Year .
Sorenstam finished her career as a Wildcat with seven individual tournament titles and she finished out of the top ten only once - an 11th-place finish as a freshman . In ad-dition to taking care of business on the course, she earned Pac-10 All-Academic First Team honors for carrying a 3 .0 grade point average in the classroom .
www.arizonaathletics.com 25
National Champions
1996 NCAA Champions
2000 NCAA Champions
On its way to capturing the program’s first national championship, the 1996 women’s golf team found out there is a fine line between life and death . It took the shot of a lifetime by star freshman Marisa Baena during a sudden-death playoff to lift the Cats to a one-stroke victory over San Jose State in what has been called one of the most exciting finishes in NCAA history .
Baena had already claimed the individual championship with a score of 296 - a comfortable seven-stroke advantage over the nearest competi-tor - when she holed a 147-yard eight-iron shot for eagle on the par-four 18th which proved to be the difference in the playoff . The Cats scored a 15 on the hole and the Spartans carded a 16 .
“It was the greatest shot I’ve ever seen under that kind of pressure,” said head coach Rick LaRose, who also led the UA men’s team to its first national title in 1992 . “There have been a lot of great golf shots, but under these circumstances, with a team victory on the line, nothing’s bigger .”
Baena redeemed herself after missing a bird-ie putt on the 18th hole of regulation that would have given Arizona the title outright . Instead, she saved the winning shot for a more dramatic occasion . “I hit a couple of really good shots in this tournament, but I thought it was just going to get close like a couple of shots I had before,” said the freshman from Colombia . “I think it is the greatest shot I have ever made in my life .”
Even after Baena’s shot, the Cats still needed clutch par putts from Krissie Register and Heather Graff to give them the edge . Graff was Arizona’s next-highest finisher af-ter firing a four-round total of 306 to put her in a tie for sixth overall, and Register shot a 310 to finish in a three-way tie at 13th . Christina Tolerton tied for 67th at 328 and Jeanne Anne Krizman, who recorded a bo-gey five on the playoff hole, rounded out the Arizona contingent at 79th with a 333 .
Arizona went into the final round with a four-stroke lead but fired a 304 to finish the tournament at 1240, the highest score ever for an NCAA Champion, while the Spartans finished with a tournament team-low 300 in the final round to pull even with the Cats . Texas finished third with a score of 1241, UCLA was fourth with 1243, and Stanford, the favorite going in finished fifth at 1248 . Each of the top-five teams had higher scores than the previous NCAA Championship high score of 1218 set by Florida in 1985 . That was due in large part to the hot, gusty con-ditions that dominated the four days of the tournament .
The title was the first in the program’s his-tory and the second for LaRose who led the men’s team to the 1992 championship . The Cats came on strong right when they needed it in the postseason . They completed a sweep that included the Pac-10
and NCAA West Regional Championships . Baena also finished an impressive triple crown of her own, win-ning the individual titles in all three events .
“I guess it’s a Wildcat characteristic to play hard down the stretch,” LaRose said .
The 2000 NCAA women’s golf season proved to be an exercise in futility for everyone but the Arizona Wildcats . By capturing the 2000 national championship, the Wildcats completed one of the most dominating performances in the history of col-legiate golf .
Arizona’s four-round total of 23-over 1,175 at the NCAA Championships gave them a 21-stroke vic-tory, the third largest in the tournament’s 19-year history . The NCAA Championships marked the eighth consecutive tournament title for the squad, a string that began on Nov . 7 at the Golf World Invitational . During that stretch, the Wildcats won eight titles by a combined 64 strokes . Individually, a Wildcat earned medalist honors four times- the Golf World Invitational, the Rainbow Wahine Invitational, the Ping/ASU Invitational, and the NCAA Championships .
Jenna Daniels took the NCAA individual ti-tle with rounds of 73, 69, 68, and 77 to finish at one-under-par for the tournament . Teammate Julia Kraschinski fired a four-round total of 290 to claim
second place at two-over par . Also finishing in the top 10 was sophomore Cristina Baena, who closed action at just nine-over par (297) .
The tournament was the last for seniors Jenna Daniels and Jill Gomric and also proved to be the final for head coach Todd McCorkle .
“There are a lot of mixed emotions right now,” Daniels said . “I’ll never be able to play as a Wildcat again, but what a way to finish . What a way to go out .”
Daniels provided leadership and tremendous performances for Arizona all year long . With a stroke average of 71 .70 and an average finish of fourth, Daniels truly deserved her selection as an All-American .
Also boosting the Wildcats’ was the emer-gence of freshman Julia Kraschinski . The freshman standout came on strong at the end of the year, closing her freshman campaign with five consecu-
tive top-15 finishes . Kraschinski culminated the season with her second-place showing at the NCAA Championships .
In earning the program’s second national championship in five years, the Arizona Wildcats so-lidified their standing as a college golf powerhouse .
The 2000 National Championship team. Front row (L–R): Jenna Daniels, Christina Monteiro, JIll Gomric, Julia Kraschinski, Christina Baena, Back row: Assistant Coach Amy Solsisburg, Head Coach Todd McCorkle.
The 1996 National Championship team. Front row (L–R): Marisa Baena, Heather graff, Krissie Register. Back row: Jeanne Anne Krizman, Christina Tolerton, Head Coach Rick LaRose, Assistant Coach Kim Kell.
26
Former Wildcats on the LPGA TourIn 2008, former University of Arizona women golfers earned a combined $5,436,629.
Marisa Baena
Erica Blasberg
Natalie Gulbis
Jenna Daniels
Lorena Ochoa
Annika Sorenstam
Leta Lindley
Annika SorenstamCareer Earnings: $22,573,192 .00Career Victories: 72LPGA Awards (18): 1994 Rolex Rookie of the Year1995 Rolex Player of the Year Vare Trophy1996 Vare Trophy1997 Rolex Player of the Year1998 Rolex Player of the Year Vare Trophy2001 Rolex Player of the Year Crowne Plaza Achievement Award2002 Rolex Player of the Year Crowne Plaza Achievement Award2003 Rolex Player of the Year Patty Berg Award LPGA Hall of Fame Induction2004 Rolex Player of the Year2005 Rolex Player of the Year Vare TrophyThe Solheim Cup (8): 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007Joined the LPGA: 1994Years as a Wildcat: 1990-92
Lorena OchoaCareer Earnings: $13,197,409 .00Career Victories: 24LPGA Awards (7):Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year2006 Rolex Player of the Year Vare Trophy Rolex Player of the Year Vare Trophy Rolex Player of the Year Vare TrophyJoined the LPGA: 2003Years as a Wildcat: 2000-2002
Chris JohnsonCareer Earnings: $3,655,027Joined the LPGA: 1980Years as a Wildcat: 1976-80
Natalie GulbisCareer Earnings: $3,642,728 .00Career Victories: 1Joined the LPGA: 2002Years as a Wildcat: 2000-2001
Leta LindleyCareer Earnings: $2,799,328 .00Career Victories: 1Joined the LPGA: 1995Years as a Wildcat: 1990-1994
Marisa BaenaCareer Earnings: $1,943,532 .00Career Victories: 1Joined the LPGA: 1998Years as a Wildcat: 1995-1998
Jenna DanielsCareer Earnings: $340,419 .00 Joined the LPGA: 2001Years as a Wildcat: 1996-2000
Erica BlasbergCareer Earnings: $300,464 .00Joined the LPGA: 2005Years as a Wildcat: 2002-2004
www.arizonaathletics.com 27
Former Wildcats on the LPGA Tour Arizona National
Other UA Practice Sites
Arizona National is a desert facility designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr . The course is situated in the foothills of Tucson’s Santa Catalina Mountains, and its diverse 6,776-yard, par 71 layout provides classic golf in the desert challenges as well as some of the most spectacular scenery of any golf facility in the Southwest . The endless beauty of a panoramic mountain vista scene, forest of giant saguaros, nine natural springs, spectacular city views, and magnificent desert vegetation makes Arizona National an unparalleled golf experi-ence .
At Arizona National the beauty doesn’t stop on the golf course . The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with all of the necessary amenities needed to perfect the Arizona golfer’s experience . A learning and performance center, and a restau-rant with indoor and lake-view patio dining add to the experience of Wildcat golf .
An exceptional practice facility is also one of the features included . It is located on the south end of the driving range and is strictly for the men and women’s teams . It includes a range, prac-tice putting greens and a chipping green . The team also has access to the teaching center that is equipped with the latest video equipment .
According to Golf World magazines, Arizona National “is what desert golf should be .” Similarly,
Golf Magazine’s Brian McCallen said of the facil-ity, “it may be one of the best desert courses ever built .”
On June 12, 2002 I .R .I Golf Group CEO Jeff Silverstein announced the purchase of The Raven Golf Course at Sabino Springs and an enhanced partnership with Arizona athletes . As part of the deal, the facility was renamed Arizona National Golf Club at Sabino Springs .
As part of the new Arizona National facility, I .R .I Golf Group has committed to a multi-million dollar capital improvement project, including a clubhouse renovation, practice facility and a Wildcat Wall of Fame .
The course is host to the several tourna-ments through the collegiate season including the men’s PING/Arizona Intercollegiate and past women’s Wildcat Invitational home events .
Omni Tucson National Golf Club(7,108 yards, Par 73) ◆ Head Pro: Pat Miller
All 27 greens were recently resurfaced with champion dwarf Bermuda, new-ly developed to provide consistent and fast-rolling putting conditions that offer year-round durability . The site of the 1992 and 1999 NCAA Men’s West Region Championship . The original Orange and Gold nines have hosted 28 editions of the PGA Tour Tucson Open since 1945 .
The Gallery Golf Club(7,400 yards, Par 72) ◆ Director of Golf: Paul Nolen
Experience the challenge and natural beauty of this Sonoran golf master-piece . Private championship golf club by John Fought and Tom Lehman . Nestled against the Tortolita Mountains, The Gallery is located in the Dove Mountain community, 20 minutes northwest of Tucson .
Oro Valley Country Club(6,606 yards, Par 72) ◆ Head Pro: Scott Schultz
A long course with tight driving holes and traps, it has hosted the Arizona Open, Southwestern Amateur, U .S . Open Qualifying, Pacific-10 Championships and PING-Arizona Intercollegiate .
Starr Pass Golf Club(7,010 yards, Par 72) ◆ Head Pro: Bernie Eaton
Named for a familiar landmark along an old stagecoach route on the west side of town, this course was designed by Robert Cupp with help from Craig Stadler . It once challenged the PGA Tour players early in the season with the Tucson Open .
Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club(Mountain Course: 6,356 yards, Par 72; Canyon Course: 6,235 yards, Par 72) ◆ Head Pro: Bob O’Brian
Designed by Tom Fazio, the Canyon and Mountain courses have won numer-ous awards . The golf club was honored by Golf Digest as the best resort course in Arizona and by Golf Week as one of the nation’s best golf courses . The celebrated Mountain #3 plays across 107 yards of cactus and canyons and the tee offers a breathtaking panorama that stretches across the Sonoran Desert .
La Paloma Country Club(7,100 yards, Par 72) ◆ Head Pro: Steve Hughes
The facility features 27 holes on three distinct nines - Hill, Canyon, and Ridge . Designed by Jack Nicklaus, it replaces water hazards with the natural desert . It has been rated among the “Top 75 Resort Courses” in the U .S . by Golf Digest .
Randolph Park North Golf Course(6,123 yards, Par 72) ◆ Head Pro: Pam Drake
Nestled in the heart of Tucson, this course is the former site of the Tucson Open PGA tournament, the PING-Arizona intercollegiate, and the Arizona Invitational . It is now home to the Welch’s/Circle K LPGA Tournament .
Tucson Country Club(6,833 yards, Par 72) ◆ Head Pro: Michael Haywood
Tucked away, Tucson Country Club is a traditional course with tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkers and small greens . It is the oldest private club in Tucson with a very active membership . The club has been the host of numerous USGA Qualifying events and was the site of the 2007 Arizona Amateur .
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Athletics Facilities
Jim Click Hall of ChampionsThe Jim Click Hall of Champions, housed in
the Eddie Lynch Athletics Pavilion, is Arizona’s heritage center . Here, Arizona’s Sports Hall of Fame and rotating exhibits showcase the heritage and tradition of Wildcat athletics in nearly 10,000 square feet of display space .
The Arizona Athletics Department is on the southeast side of the University and is located in the recently renovated McKale Center . Student-athletes from each of the Arizona Athletics’ 19 sports programs train in McKale Center, the home of the Wildcats . Arizona’s men’s basketball, women’s basketball, volleyball and gymnastics teams compete in McKale’s arena, while the remainder of the Wildcat teams compete in nearby venues .
www.arizonaathletics.com 29
Strength Training and Medical ServicesArizona’s Strength Training program provides Arizona women’s golf players
with a regimented program that builds strength, endurance, speed, overall fitness and power . This, in combination with a 19,000 square foot state-of-the-art weight room, provides Arizona women’s golfers with an optimal opportunity to maximize their athletic potential .
The Kasser Family Sports Medicine CenterThe sports medicine center consists of 5,300 usable square feet in space . It
includes the Alex and Elisabeth Kasser Aqua Rehab Facility which features an underwater treadmill and other hydro-therapy equipment . The facility has stations for taping and treatment, examination rooms and offices for UA physicians, staff offices, a reception area and an X-ray examination room . The athletic medicine staff is committed to working with strength and conditioning coaches, team coaches and student-athletes in implementing ways to prevent injuries . Although the risk of injury cannot be completely eliminated, proper strength and conditioning, adequate hydrations, taping and bracing, and education are all methods employed by the staff to minimize the risk of injury or illness . If a student-athlete is injured during an athletic event, the athletic trainer will assess the injury and proceed to treat the injury or recommend further consultation from a team physician . The athletic training staff and physical therapist are trained in up-to-date methods of rehabilitating athletic injuries .
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C.A.T.S. AcademicsC.A.T.S. Academics and Life Skills Programs
The University of Arizona Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to the academic, physical and personal development of each and every Wildcat student-athlete . To assist in that endeavor, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) has developed a philosophical approach called C .A .T .S . (Commitment to an Athlete’s Total Success) . C .A .T .S . consists of four programs: Academics, Life Skills, Strength and Conditioning and Medical Services . These programs provide a philosophical framework for ICA and staff to use in the task of assisting in the personal, physical and emotional growth and in the educational development of the student-athlete .
At Arizona, academic excellence is a priority . The academic program at Arizona provides student-athletes with the tools and skills necessary to achieve academic success through the utilization of diverse academic programming, including academic counseling, tutoring, course selection and strategic study planning .
In C .A .T .S . Life Skills, the main focus is on personal development, leadership, career development and community service . More than 50 members of the faculty and various campus departments are actively involved in a network supporting C .A .T .S . C .A .T .S . Life Skills includes: enrichment and orientation programs, substance abuse education, confidential and professional counseling to meet student-athletes’ issues regarding personal health and mental/emotional well-being, “at-risk” programming, minority outreach, peak performance counseling, peer advising, career development programs, internship opportunities, support from campus faculty, a Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) that represents the voice of the student-athlete, and a Community Outreach Program which includes the Smith Project Speakers’ Bureau which focuses on teaching children how to make healthy life choices and the importance of education .
Computer LabArizona’s state-of-the art computer lab
provides student-athletes with the resources to complete class work in a timely and efficient manner . Its convenient location in McKale Center is easily accessible for student-athletes . The academic center and the computer lab are also right next door to the weight room, team meeting rooms and locker rooms .
www.arizonaathletics.com 31
The University of ArizonaUA Facts
UA has the highest undergraduate graduation rate of any •of Arizona’s universities .
Current faculty members include Nobel and Pulitzer Prize •winners .
Bear Down Gym was named after John “Button” Salmon, •student body president in 1926, whose last words to the football team before a game included the famous phrase . Button would pass away from an auto accident shortly after .
In the past decade, UA honor students have won national •and international scholarships, including the Truman, Rhodes, Fulbright, Churchill, Udall and Marshall .
The UA student body includes students from 135 foreign •countries .
Average class size at UA is 29 .•
There are more than 400 student organizations on campus, •ranging from the Sports Marketing Association to Women of Color .
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The Student UnionThe new 405,000-square-foot Student Union Memorial
Center (SUMC) is among the largest in the country . The SUMC is home to the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, and provides dining services (which includes 13 different restaurants, ranging from national franchises and brands to a variety of specialty restaurants), an art gallery, a convenience store, a copy center, a U .S . Post Office, video arcade and billiards room .
The Integrated Learning Center
The Integrated Learning Center un-derscores the University of Arizona’s com-mitment to undergraduate education by integrating freshman services, tutoring, advising and core curriculum into a single technology-rich learning environment . The innovative Center is fast becoming a model learning environment attracting national attention .
In The RankingsU.S. News and World Report places the University of
Arizona in the top 50 among all public universities, ac-cording to the latest rankings in America’s Best Colleges for 2009 . The Magazine also ranked the UA’s Eller College of Management in a tie for 15th place among undergraduate business programs at public universities . The UA ranks in the top 10 of NASA grant recipients and is the first public university to lead a NASA mission to Mars .
The University of Arizona
www.arizonaathletics.com 33
Tucson, Arizona
Expect The UnexpectedLocated in the heart of southern Arizona, Tucson is
a city of stunning contrast and diversity . From the broad desert valley of world-famous saguaro cacti to 9,000-foot mountain forests of pine trees and snow, the city stands at a crossroads both geographically and culturally .
Tucson is a thriving metropolis that continues to grow by thousands of residents each month, but it has held fast to its small-town ambience . Locals gather at historic Fourth Avenue for nighttime entertainment and shopping, and the University holds the center of the city’s attention with its athletics and cultural activities . Outdoor activities are highlighted by Sabino Canyon, which showcases the beauty of the desert with river-guided trails leading into the mountains .
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Tucson, Arizona
Tucson TemperatureTucson is renowned for its superb year-round weather . Warm
and sunny throughout most of the year, the air is remarkably dry with a low relative humidity . It lies in the zone receiving more sun-shine than any other section in the United States . The average high temperature is 81 degrees and the average low temperature is 54 degrees . With an average of 12 inches of rainfall and 86 percent sunshine, Tucson receives more than 50 percent of its rain during the months of July, August and September .
The Sonoran desert provides a unique setting not to be found anywhere else in the world . Far from the Saharan sand dunes that most first-time visitors expect, the desert boasts a wide range of wildlife, vegetation and great mountain views .
When the temperatures rise in the desert, it’s just a 40-minute drive to the top of Mt . Lemmon, the southernmost ski resort in the United States .
Average Temperature High LowJanuary 65 39February 67 40March 71 43April 80 49May 89 57June 98 67July 98 74August 95 72September 93 67October 84 57November 72 45December 65 39
www.arizonaathletics.com 35
Athletic ExcellenceThe University of Arizona’s Athletic excellence
is rooted in a strong foundation of Wildcat heritage and history that dates back to the early 1900s . The Arizona Athletics program has produced countless All-Americans, all-conference hon-orees and NCAA team and individual titles throughout that span, ranking second to none in athletic excellence .
The Wildcats boast two of the most suc-cessful programs in NCAA history – men’s bas-ketball and softball . Under the guidance of Hall of Fame Head Coach Lute Oson, the men’s bas-ketball program has reached unprecedented heights with its 1997 NCAA Championship, four Final Four appearances and 11 Pac-10 Championships . The Wildcats also hold the longest active streaks in the nation with 19 consecutive 20-win seasons and 24 consecu-tive trips to the NCAA Tournament . To his credit, Olson has added seven Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors in 24 seasons to his list of accomplish-ments at Arizona .
Under the guidance of Head Coach Mike Candrea, UA’s softball program has achieved national prominence, as the Wildcats have won eight NCAA titles and 10 Pac-10 titles . Candrea has led Arizona to 20 College World Series berths, and he has helped produce five National Players of the Year . In 2006, the Wildcats won the national championship, their first since the 2001 season . The Wildcats followed that up with a repeat perfor-mance in 2007, capturing back-to-back NCAA crowns for the third time in program history . Candrea has also earned Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors 10 times since the league began in softball play 22 years ago .
The baseball team won three NCAA titles in a span of 10 years – 1976, 1980 and 1986 – and returned to the World Series in 2004 for the first time in 18 years . The team has claimed three Pac-10 Conference titles since joining the league in 1979 . The men’s and women’s golf teams have combined to tally three NCAA titles, 10 NCAA Regional titles and nine Pac-10 titles . Head coach Rick LaRose was a five-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year honoree (four men/one women) .
Former head coach Joan Bonvicini led the women’s basketball team to seven NCAA Tournament appear-
ances over a nine year stretch, dating back to the program’s first-ever NCAA berth in 1997 . The volleyball program made its 21st NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005, which also marked the team’s 10th consecutive NCAA berth and 12th time overall in 15 seasons un-der Head Coach Dave Rubio .
UA’s Olympic sports also provide the Wildcat program with consistent participation in the postseason, and they have garnered numerous in-
dividual NCAA champions, all-conference hon-orees and All-America selections . Women’s gymnastics has made 20 consecutive post-season appearances, while the swimming
and diving program has produced 36 individu-al NCAA champions and 30 Olympians .
In 2005, swimming and diving Head Coach Frank Busch was named national
coach of the year, as well as Pac-10 Coach of the Year . Track and field has produced several individual NCAA champions and Olympians as well . The soccer program has experienced unprecedented success under Head Coach Dan Tobias, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament the last two
years and advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2005 . In 2004, the Wildcats earned the Pac-10 championship and Tobias was named Pac-10 and National Coach of the Year from Soccer America .
On the football front, every Pac-10 team had bowl appear-ances in the 1990s, but Arizona’s three bowl victories in that span were eclipsed by none . The Wildcats also boast 10 Honda Award honorees – Tara Chaplin (cross country), Jenny Dalton
Jennie Finch (two-time winner/softball), Susie Parra (softball) and
Amy Skieresz (three-time winner/cross country/track and field) .
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Athletics AdministrationJim Livengood’s leadership and wide-ranging
knowledge of intercollegiate athletics helps give The University of Arizona an enviable stature as the program pursues success a decade into its sec-ond century in 2008-09 .
Livengood became UA’s eighth athletics direc-tor in January 1994 . Behind his strong leadership, remarkable developments have occurred through-out the program in the past 14 years, both from competitive and administrative standpoint . He oversees the 19 men’s and women’s teams that make up one of the nation’s more well-rounded athletics programs . Notably, the UA continueds to thrive on all fronts, including the competitive arenas, physi-
cal plant improvements, compliance and equity issues, student-athlete welfare and the necessary financial strategies required to operate a $38 million enterprise . He has developed strong continuity in UA athletics, using his and the institution’s reputation to maintain effectiveness on local, regional and national fronts .
During Livengood’s tenure, UA has maintained its top-30 competitive record with overall national rankings by the NACDA Directors’ Cup (formerly Sears Cup) of sixth in 1993-94; fourth in 1994-95; seventh in 1995-96; sixth in 1997-98; ninth in 1998-99; eighth in 1999-2000; fifth in 2000-01; ninth in 2001-02; 16th in 2002-03; 12th in 2003-04; 18th in 2004-05; 11th in 2005-06; 24th in 2006-07; and 27th in 2007-08 . This record reflects success throughout Arizona’s broad-based program, highlighted by participation in the 1994 and 2001 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four, and becoming 1997 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Champions . Arizona also won the 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2006 and 2007 NCAA Division I National Softball Championships along with the 1996 and 2000 NCAA women’s golf titles .
This past Spring, the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams swept the NCAA championships .
Livengood is uniquely prepared for his daily challenges . Since coming to Arizona, he has earned the respect of staff, community, and peers alike and has become well known for his hands-on, personable approach and his involvement with the community . In 2003 he became a member of the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors . Campus involvements include membership on the Presidential Leadership Team for Campaign Arizona (2000-present), the University Council (1998-present), the UA Foundation-University Relations Committee (1996-present), and Chairmanship of the Arizona Collegiate Institute for Leadership Advisory Council (2000-03) .
Earning the respect of his counterparts from across the country, Livengood served as a member of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball committee from 1999-2004 and was chair in 2002-03 . He is a member of the NCAA Fellows Program to men-tor new athletics directors, has served as a member of the NACDA Preseason Football Games Committee, and was a member of the NACDA Strategic Planning Committee from 1999-2001 . Livengood served as President of the National Association of Colelge Directors of Athletics in 1998-1999, and in June 1999 was named Division I-A Athletics Director of the Year .
He is among national leaders in gender equity issues, continuing these efforts through his service to the Pac-10 Gender Equity Committee (1997-98) as well as his continued diligent work to keep the Arizona Athletics program in a leadership role in gender issues .
Born March 28, 1945 in Walla Walla, Washington, Livengood, received his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young in 1968 and completed his fifth-year educa-tion requirement for teaching certification at Central Washington in 1972 .
Livengood and his wife, Linda, have two grown children, both of whom gradu-ated from the University of Arizona . Michelle graduated from the College of Law in May 2000, and Jeremy graduated in December 1999 .
Kathleen “Rocky” LaRose is in her 30th year at the University of Arizona, her 15th year as Senior Associate Director of Athletics and her 20th year as Senior Woman Administrator . Currently, she oversees the internal operations of all 19 sports at the UA, being the first wom-an in her capacity to have day-today internal operational responsibilities over Division I-A football and men’s basketball programs .
As the Senior Associate Athletics Director, LaRose also oversees compliance, heritage, events management and all of the C .A .T .S . student-athlete services – academics, medical services, life skills development and equipment operations . She also chairs
the department’s Equity and Title IX committees, and she directs the NCAA certification process .
LaRose joined the Arizona staff in 1979 as the UA softball coach and worked from 1980 until 1989 in various capacities including co-ordinator of athletic special events and special projects, and as as-sistant athletics director for fund development . LaRose is a past Vice President of the Pac-10 Conference and is a current member of the Pac-10 Council, which governs and regulates all Pac-10 policies . On the national level, she was a charter member of the NCAA Management Council (the legislative body of the NCAA) as the Pac-10 representa-tive for four years and was appointed Management Council liaison to the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Board . She also has chaired vari-ous Pac-10 committees .
In 1990, LaRose developed the Commitment for Athletes’ Total Success (C .A .T .S), an educational approach used by student-athlete
services to better the student-athlete academically, athletically, and per-sonally .
LaRose was the recipient of the university’s 2004 Billy Joe Varney Award, the institution’s top career service honor for members of the faculty or staff .
Raised in Phoenix, LaRose received both her Bachelor of Science and master’s degrees from the University of Arizona . While in attendance, she competed on the UA softball team as a starting infielder and clean-up hit-ter, leading the Cats to their first-ever conference championship in 1979 . She competed in the 1979 World Cup Softball championship as a member of the USA National Championship team . She also was a member of the Arete Society (UA’s Athletics Honorary) and was the 1978 UA Homecoming Queen . She is married to Michael Proctor, the University’s assistant vice president for corporate relations .
Jim LivengoodAthletics Director
John PerrinAssociate to the Athletics Director
Kathleen (Rocky) LaRoseSenior Associate Athletics Director
Gayle HopkinsAssociate to the
Athletics Director, Alumni Services
Scott MackenzieAssociate Athletics Director, External
