DW
Rollin’ like a big shot
Cycling club team hosts fourth annual UA Criterium, speeds past competition
PAGE 10
SPORTS
Arizona Daily Wildcat
The independent student voice of the University of Arizona since 1899 monday, february , dailywildcat.com
tucson, arizona
Top of the Pac
Men’s basketball team defeats Cal Bears for first place in conference
Greeks buy, sell tees to aid Haiti By Laura Donovan ARIZONA DAILY WILDCAT
Alan Walsh/Arizona Daily Wildcat
Arizona forwards Jamelle Horne, left, and Kevin Parrom celebrate Sunday afternoon’s 76-72 victory against California in McKale Center. The win tied Arizona with Cal for first place in the Pacific 10 Conference.
By Vincent Balistreri ARIZONA DAILY WILDCAT
Michael Ignatov/Arizona Daily Wildcat
Freshman guard Momo Jones drives past a California defender in McKale Center during Sunday’s game. Jones finished the game with 10 points in 17 minutes.
For the Arizona men’s basketball program, the thought of battling for the league lead halfway through the Pacific 10 Conference schedule was unfathomable just two weeks ago. In fact, visions of a conference title haven’t been swirling in Tucson for the past few years. Now, it’s a reality. The young Wildcats tied for first place in the Pac-10 by outlasting California to win 76-72 Sunday afternoon, extending their win streak to a season-high four games. “It was the type of game everyone dreams of,” said freshman guard Momo Jones. “First place was on the line, a packed house with not an empty seat, everyone is there to watch you. “Just knowing all the people that have our backs,” he added, “it feels great.” Point guard Nic Wise, who closed out the game by scoring seven points in the final minutes, led Arizona (12-9, 6-3 Pac-10) on the court, matching his career high with 30 points in the game. Wise won the battle of the Pac-10 point guards, holding Cal’s senior floor general Jerome Randle to 15 points on 5-for-14 shooting, including 1-for-8 from beyond the arc.
Driving into the body of Randle, Wise converted a layup and drew the foul to give Arizona a 74-72 lead, just about sealing the game with 26 seconds remaining. “We do this situation everyday in practice,” Wise said. “My teammates look to me to take that shot, so I wouldn’t want to put that burden on somebody else when they’re looking for me to do it.” Wise redeemed himself with that play after fouling Randle on a 3-point attempt, giving the guard three free throws, which put the Bears ahead 72-71. Arizona trailed at halftime 34-32, but started the second half on a 7-0 run, giving the Wildcats their largest lead of the game (39-34) with 8:08 remaining in the second half. The Golden Bears (14-7, 6-3) came roaring back, led by Theo Robertson, who scored 27 points and shot 3-for5 from beyond the arc. Although the senior forward had a big night offensively, Wise and the Wildcats wouldn’t concede defeat. Sunday’s win was Arizona’s most momentous of the season, and for some of the freshmen, the biggest they’ve ever been a part of in their young college careers. “It felt great,” said Jones, who scored 10 points in 17 minutes. HOOPS, page 8
UMC says farewell to CEO
Pivirotto, employees celebrate his retirement with surprise party By Rodney Haas ARIZONA DAILY WILDCAT In the 22 years Greg Pivirotto served as president and chief executive officer of University Medical Center, he made it a point to treat all of his staff, including doctors, nurses and custodians, as family. On Friday, Pivirotto’s extended family gave him a retirement party, which was complete with the Pride of Arizona pep band, playing “Bear Down,” ice cream and the halls of the cafeteria lined with employees to wish their boss well in the next phase of his life. “I’m overwhelmed,” Pivirotto said. “Just unbelievable. This almost brought me to tears.”
Pivirotto oversaw a hospital that had 300 beds in 1988, and has grown to 550. The number of employees has jumped from 1,200 to 4,000. “He made an effort to get to know everyone here,”said Gwen Lewis, an exercise specialist at UMC.“Even if it was his off-time working out, he made an effort to say hello to those he knew and those who were new he always introduced himself and he always had a positive sprit. He is going to be missed.” Karen Farwell, blood and marrow transplantation coordinator at the Arizona Cancer Center at UMC, added,“He’s one of the great bosses in my career. He’s a FAREWELL, page 5
Beta Theta Pi fraternity Philanthropy Chair Edward Distler knows the way to a lady’s heart, said Courtney Groves, the 2008-2009 philanthropy chair for the Sigma Kappa sorority. When Beta Theta Pi members stopped at Sigma Kappa’s house advertising T-shirts for Haiti relief, Groves knew the fundraiser would be a success. “What better way to raise money than sell T-shirts, which are things greeks buy almost once a week,” Groves, a pre-business sophomore, said. Last Monday, the Beta Theta Pi members went to each sorority chapter governed by the Panhellenic Council selling $15 lifeguard-style T-shirts, that say “Support Haiti with American Red Cross.” The proceeds from the shirts go directly to the Red Cross for Haiti relief. “We went from house to house with signup sheets and have sold over 300 shirts already. That would make around $3,000 in donations in one week,” said Distler, a physiology senior. “We are happy with that but want to sell even more.” Sigma Kappa members purchased between 30 and 40 T-shirts from Beta Theta Pi. “We would love to help them with any further fundraising efforts,” Groves said on behalf of the Sigma Kappa. “We wish we’d have come up with the idea ourselves, but we would be willing to definitely help,” she said, following a laugh. “The Beta Theta Pi fraternity has ordered 400 T-shirts so far and will order more depending on demand,”said Wilson Rapp, HAITI, page 14
Last meeting for two regents
GLENDALE, Ariz. — As the Arizona Board of Regents’ January meeting came to an end on Friday, the regents said farewell to long-time board members Robert Bulla and Fred Boice. A private luncheon was held that afternoon for the two regents to honor their service and commitment. Boice is from Tucson and was appointed to the Arizona Board of Regents in 2002. He heads Boice Financial Co. and is the board chairman of the wood products manufacturing company, Caseworks Industries, Inc. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the University Medical Center. “It’s been an honor to serve,” Boice said. “In spite of the current economic climate, I believe the system is better than it was eight years ago.” Boice said he is grateful for the executive staff and to all of the regents for their dedication to the board. After today he plans to continue taking care of his business, but first, he wants to take his wife of 57 years on vacation. He and his wife are planning on traveling to Machu Picchu, Peru, in March. Bulla, from Phoenix, isn’t quite sure what he plans to do once he officially retires from the Arizona Board of Regents, but he has options. Bulla was also appointed to the Board in 2002 after being named Valley Leadership’s Man of the Year in 2001. Bulla plans to continue serving the community on the Heard Museum Board and the Desert Botanical Garden Board. He is the former CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona and he continues to serve the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona Board. Aside from his continued community service, Bulla plans to brush up on his golf game. “Maybe my golf game will come back,” Bulla said. “The students just gave me some golf balls.” Bulla is referring to the gift box both he and Boice were presented from ASUA President Chris Nagata. “[I have] a lot of mixed emotions,” Bulla said. “I’m going to miss a lot of people.” — Taylor Avey
ABOR approved Rodney Haas/Arizona Daily Wildcat
University Medical Center President and CEO Greg Pivirotto is greeted by fellow employees at a retirement party at the UMC on Friday. Pivirotto is retiring after 22 years at the hospital.
News is always breaking at dailywildcat.com ... or follow us on
• Arizona Stadium expansion • Lisa Oyen as head coach for UA’s soccer team (see page 12)
: @DailyWildcat