Barnes makes her rounds

Dave Heeke won’t technically begin his tenure as Arizona’s athletic director until April.

For now, Heeke is spending some quality time with his family. Heeke is spending the week in Florida watching his son, Zach, who plays baseball for Central Michigan.

Interim director Erika Barnes has been the face of Arizona’s athletic department in Las Vegas. Between her time in Arizona’s athletic department and tenure as a standout player for the UA softball team, Barnes has become a familiar face to Wildcats fans.

Barnes has rarely had a moment without a high-five or a “Bear Down!” yelled her direction.

“I’ve taken more selfies here then I have in my life,” Barnes said.

Back to homepage

Subscriber Login

Keep reading with a digital access subscription.

Subscribe now

Barnes took a photo of her own earlier Friday. The interim AD met legendary broadcaster Brent Musburger and posted a photo of the two of them together to Twitter.

Before Friday night’s game, Barnes reunited with some of her old Arizona softball teammates. One of them, Leah O’Brien-Amico, was honored by the Pac-12 alongside other Olympic athletes.

Heeke will likely join the Wildcats on the road during the NCAA Tournament. His April 1 start date coincides with the Final Four in Phoenix.

If Arizona makes it that far, surely Barnes will be there, too.