LAS VEGAS — Former Arizona basketball standout Richard Jefferson and softball star Jennie Finch will represent the Wildcats in the first-ever Big 12 Alumni Council, the conference announced on Wednesday morning.
The Big 12 Alumni Council will have 32 student-athletes from men's and women's sports to represent the new 16-team Big 12 conference, which is adding the UA, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado this year. The council will be overseen by Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark and vice president of communications and strategy Clark Williams.
"The Big 12 Conference is home to thousands of student-athlete alumni who have had great success on and off the field following their time on campus," Yormark said in a news release. "As we enter into a new chapter as a 16-team league, the insights and perspectives of the Big 12 Alumni Council will be an incredible resource."
The Big 12 said the alumni council "was created to leverage the experience and expertise of some of the Big 12's most notable student-athlete alumni as the conference enters a new era."
Members of the Big 12 Alumni Council "will receive a variety of resources and amenities, including networking access to the Big 12's Business Advisory Board for professional networking, league support of council member's community initiatives, media opportunities on behalf of the league and VIP access to all Big 12 championships and conference events."
Super Bowl-winning quarterback Steve Young, who is representing BYU on the council, is "thrilled to serve on the first-ever Big 12 Alumni Council.
"This is an incredibly exciting time for the Big 12, and I look forward to being a resource for commissioner Yormark and his team as the Conference continues to thrive," Young said in a news release.
Jefferson played three seasons at Arizona under late coaching icon Lute Olson, and averaged 11.2 points and five rebounds per game. During his final season at the UA, Jefferson helped the Wildcats to a national runner-up finish. Jefferson carved out a 17-year NBA career and won a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. Jefferson also earned a bronze medal with USA at the 2004 Olympics.
The Wildcats retired Jennie Finch's No. 27 jersey in 2003.
Finch, one of the greatest pitchers in UA softball history, led the Wildcats to a national championship in 2001. Finch set an NCAA record with 60 consecutive wins in the circle. Finch's No. 27 jersey was retired by Arizona in 2003. She also helped USA softball win a gold medal at the '04 Olympics and a silver medal at the '08 Olympics.
The Big 12 Alumni Council will officially launch next month, when the 16-team league onboards Aug. 2.
Here's a complete look at the alumni council:
- Arizona: Richard Jefferson, Jennie Finch
- Arizona State: Lawrence Guy, Briann January
- Baylor: Whitney Canion, Robert Griffin III
- BYU: Steve Young, Ashley Hatch
- UCF: Tacko Fall, Shaquem Griffin
- Cincinnati: Jordan Thompson, Kevin Youkilis
- Colorado: Joel Klatt, Shelley Sheetz
- Houston: Andre Ware, Natara Holloway Branch
- Iowa State: Ashley Joens, Georges Niang
- Kansas: Wayne Simien, Lynette Woodard
- Kansas State: Kindred Wesemann Orpin, Tyler Lockett
- Oklahoma State: Tiffany Bias Patmon, Brandon Weeden
- TCU: Marshall Newhouse, Zahna Medley Kindred
- Texas Tech: Cody Campbell, Carolyn Thompson
- Utah: Stevenson Sylvester, Charmelle Green
- West Virginia: Georgeann Wells, Mike Gansey
