The University of Arizona Foundation is telling fans the Wildcats' Final Four appearance is a great time to donate funds for student-athletes and graduate students.
The UA won’t, however, give more details on specific uses of donated funds.
The UA Foundation, a private nonprofit organization that advances the UA through philanthropy, sent out an email this week asking donors to consider making a gift to one of the following areas:
- The Student-Athlete Excellence Fund — Men’s Basketball: A fund for student athletes as part of Arizona Athletics.
- The Presidential Strategic Leadership Fund: "A perpetual source of funding to support top university priorities,” according to the UA website.
- The Arizona Undergraduate Scholarship Fund: A fund that offers merit-based and need-based aid for high-potential undergraduate students.
- The Graduate Student Support Fund: A fund to financially support graduate students.
UA spokesperson Mitch Zak, who also speaks on behalf of the UA Foundation, refused to answer the Arizona Daily Star’s questions on whether donations that come into the listed funds are earmarked for specific purposes or if the UA can use them according to its discretion.
Fans cheer on the Wildcats during their Final Four send-off outside McKale Center on Wednesday. The University of Arizona Foundation is seizing on the excitement, asking fans in an email to donate to a fundraising campaign.
Instead, he said in response: “This reflects the foundation’s mission and normal course of business to raise funds that strengthen the university and its efforts to deliver on our strategic imperatives.”
The UA Foundation email said the Wildcats' men's basketball team making it into this weekend's Final Four round of the NCAA Tournament is a show of “excellence, resilience and belief.”
“What’s on display goes far beyond the court. The same ambition and teamwork driving this run power our classrooms, labs, studios and communities. It’s the result of people who care deeply about Arizona and invest in its future,” the email said. “As the spotlight grows brighter, so does the opportunity to make an impact. Your support helps ensure that Arizona continues to lead, innovate and inspire long after the final buzzer sounds.”
This is the UA men's first Final Four since 2001. The team is led by Coach Tommy Lloyd, who is making $5.1 million in school-paid funds this season.
