The Arizona Wildcats are trying their best to process the sudden death of senior lineman Zach Hemmila while also preparing for a football season that begins in less than four weeks. It’s a difficult proposition, even for young, resilient student-athletes.
Fortunately, they have friends.
The Arizona Cardinals have offered up their practice facilities to the Wildcats, who couldn’t practice Tuesday because of thunderstorms and, frankly, could use a little time away from campus.
After UA coach Rich Rodriguez and select players meet the media at Lowell-Stevens Football Facility late Wednesday morning, the team will relocate to Tempe. The Wildcats will practice there Wednesday afternoon and twice Thursday.
Rodriguez is friends with Cardinals coach Bruce Arians and recently spent some time at their training camp.
The UA had hoped to practice Tuesday morning, providing the players with some structure and a much-needed distraction after they learned of the death of their teammate Monday morning. Hemmila, the favorite to start at center for the Wildcats, was found dead, apparently having passed away in his sleep.
The cause of Hemmila’s death remains unknown and probably won’t be known until the Pima County medical examiner receives test results in four to six weeks. Dr. Gregory Hess examined Hemmila’s body Tuesday and found no evidence of foul play.
The Star was able to piece together some of the events of Monday morning.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call about 6:52 a.m. from a residence in the Foothills area, department spokesman Ira Sewell said. A family member made the call.
Officers arrived to investigate a possible death. The fire department also responded. Once it was determined that Hemmila had passed away, homicide detectives were called to investigate because of Hemmila’s age. He was 22 years old.
Police have turned over the case to the Office of the Medical Examiner.
Hess declined to speculate on how Hemmila might have died, saying the “cause and manner of death are pending receipt of laboratory testing.”
The Wildcats held a team meeting Sunday but had the day off from practicing and working out. Hemmila is believed to have died in his sleep sometime Sunday night or Monday morning.
Rodriguez and athletic director Greg Byrne learned of Hemmila’s death Monday morning. The team practiced from about 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Kindall/Sancet Stadium. Rodriguez informed the players of Hemmila’s death at the conclusion of practice. Rodriguez and Byrne then addressed the media.
Arizona held meetings and a team dinner later Monday. They were forced to remain indoors when storms swept through Tucson on Tuesday morning. The team met again Tuesday afternoon and held a walk-through practice later in the day at Bear Down Field without helmets or shoulder pads.
Arizona opens the 2016 season against BYU on Sept. 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.
