UA boosters commit $8 million for massive indoor sports center

Arizona’s new indoor sports center has a name.

The Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center will serve as the practice facility for Arizona’s football team and as a gathering place for fans on game days. The UA announced Friday that the Davises have committed $8 million toward the ongoing construction of the project, which is scheduled to open early next year.

The couple has given Arizona’s athletic department $18 million total in donations. The Davises helped pay to renovate McKale Center and financed a strength and conditioning center adjacent to Richard Jefferson Gymnasium, among other projects.

The Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center is a $15 million facility being built just east of Arizona Stadium on the old site of Kindall/Sancet Stadium, spanning from East Sixth Street to the Ginny L. Clements Academic Center. It includes a 90-yard field with a 10-yard end zone. The climate-controlled facility will be open to fans on game days as part of athletic director Dave Heeke’s plan to improve the game-day experience at Arizona Stadium.

UA coach Kevin Sumlin said the Davises’ donation “is going to have an immediate impact on the development of our student-athletes.”

Stars were out

A couple of big-name baseball guys were spotted at Arizona Stadium Friday night. We bumped into former UA baseball coach Andy Lopez in the elevator before the game.

Lopez, who retired in 2015, was recently inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame. Ex-Wildcat and current Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona was also in attendance; “Tito” can typically be found sitting courtside at UA basketball games.

Commish in town

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott on Cole and Jeannie Davis donating $8 million to UA for the indoor sports center: pic.twitter.com/42hNPjTuDk

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) November 3, 2018

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott was visited for Friday night’s game.

He touched on a handful of Arizona-related topics, including one close to UA fans’ hearts: Why don’t the Wildcats play more afternoon games?

Scott’s answer: “player safety.” The UA is obligated to play all September home games at night because of the heat. After that, however, they’re at the mercy of television — including Scott’s Pac-12 Networks.

Before the game, Scott toured the under-construction Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center with UA president Robert Robbins.

“It’s terrific from my perspective to see the leadership from the administration and to see the support from donors and supporters,” the commissioner said. “It’s facility development they wanted to work on for a while and there seems to be a lot of alignment and support for fixing, improving and building new facilities. There’s a great sense of energy here.”

Star-spangled painter

This is pretty cool. Not sure why the Wildcats didn’t have military-themed uniforms tonight. Would’ve been a nice touch. pic.twitter.com/W4RLV8j6AY

— Michael Lev (@MichaelJLev) November 3, 2018

Friday marked Armed Forces Night at Arizona Stadium.

In-game host Sarah Kezele wore an olive green “Support Our Troops” T-shirt, servicemen from different military branches were honored in between breaks and the UA cheerleaders carried Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine flags.

Joe Everson, an artist and musician, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” while painting the famous image of U.S. troops raising the American flag at Iwo Jima.

This isn’t Everson’s first crack at sporting events. In March, Everson performed before a Pac-12 Tournament; he’s also worked several college basketball and NBA games. Everson sells his 36-by-48-inch Iwo Jima paintings for $1,575.

Want one? Visit joeeverson.com.

Gunnell’s record night

Arizona quarterback commit Grant Gunnell made Texas high school football history again on Friday night.

The Houston St. Pius X product threw his 185th career touchdown pass, making him the state of Texas’ all-time leader. In October, Gunnell became Texas’ all-time career passing yards leader. Gunnell threw six touchdowns on Friday night as Pius beat Antonian Prep 55-14 in San Antonio.

Honorary captain

Before every game, a former Wildcat is an honorary captain for the pregame coin toss. This week: George Malauulu, who played quarterback at Arizona from 1989-92. He’s the president of the AIGA Foundation, a nonprofit group that has helped players with Polynesian backgrounds land scholarships since 1997.

The big number

6

Number of games between completions to a tight end for Arizona before Friday night. Sophomore Bryce Wolma caught a 17-yard ball from Khalil Tate in the first quarter Friday.

Another big number

43,080

Announced attendance at Arizona Stadium.