UArizona Arthritis Center ‘Bear Down Celebration’ features coaches Barnes, Lloyd

Sept. 22, 2023
  • What: University of Arizona Arthritis Center Bear Down Celebration presented by Desert Diamond Casinos 
  • When: Monday, Oct. 2, 5-7 p.m.
  • Where: Health Sciences Innovation Building, 1670 E. Drachman St., Tucson
  • Registration: Tickets are required and can be purchased at arthritis.arizona.edu/bear-down-celebration. The deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, Sept. 25.

Building upon a long tradition of mutual support, the University of Arizona Arthritis Center at the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson will team up with Arizona Athletics on Oct. 2 for the 2023 Bear Down Celebration to benefit the center and its research, outreach and education efforts.

The 2023 Bear Down Celebration presented by Desert Diamond Casinos will include a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, at the Health Sciences Innovation Building on the University of Arizona’s Tucson campus. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages from Cafe Bolo will be served.

Ticket purchasers and sponsors are invited to a one-of-a-kind experience as coaches Tommy Lloyd and Adia Barnes offer an inside look at the 2023-24 basketball season and beyond. Learn about the men’s team journey to the Middle East, the coaches’ outlook on joining the Big 12 Conference and more. 

“The ongoing partnership between Arizona Athletics and the University of Arizona Arthritis Center is a one of our key initiatives to support our southern Arizona community,” said Dave Heeke, vice president and director of athletics at UArizona. “Arthritis affects millions of people every year and can challenge physical activities and everyday life. Raising awareness and empowering patients about the impact of this disease is a mission that Wildcats of all ages can get behind, and our athletics department will continue to champion the powerful work of the Arthritis Center.”

The collaboration between the UArizona Arthritis Center and Arizona Athletics began upon the arrival of legendary basketball coach Lute Olson in 1983. It has helped raise nearly $2 million for the UArizona Arthritis Center, paving the way for advanced diagnostics, treatments and preventive measures for rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

“I’m so excited to be a part of the University of Arizona Arthritis Center’s Bear Down Celebration again,” Barnes said. “Many athletes are affected by arthritis at some point in their lives, and the research and training done by the U of A’s Arthritis Center is so important. There is a long-standing partnership with Arizona Athletics and the Arthritis Center, and it’s a cause I’m grateful to help support.”

“The University of Arizona Arthritis Center and Arizona Athletics have a long history of working together and supporting each other,” Lloyd said. “It’s inspiring to see all of the things the center has been able to accomplish for the Tucson community and beyond. I’m honored to be part of this year’s Bear Down Celebration and meet some of the amazing people that make it such a special place.”

About the speakers:

Barnes became Arizona’s women’s basketball coach in 2016 and led the Wildcats to the national championship game in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, the first such appearance in Arizona women’s basketball history. The leading scorer in Arizona women’s basketball history and a Women’s National Basketball Association champion, Barnes returned to Tucson after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Washington for five seasons. Barnes won 89 games through her first five seasons as UArizona’s head coach, the most of any Arizona coach in the same time span. She is the only coach in school history to win at least 20 games three times in her first five seasons. In the 2021 Final Four, Arizona defeated the University of Connecticut, which was  the top-ranked team in the nation.

Lloyd, the Arizona men’s basketball coach  since 2021, has made a significant impact on college basketball. In his first season, he received numerous accolades, including being named the NABC National Coach of the Year, USBWA National Coach of the Year, Associated Press National Coach of the Year and Pac-12 Coach of the Year. He led the Arizona Wildcats to an impressive 33-4 record, capturing the Pac-12 regularseason title and setting a Pac-12 record for the most wins in his debut season. Under his guidance, players including Bennedict Mathurin and Christian Koloko earned national awards, and the team displayed a fast-paced offensive style, setting records for assists and blocked shots. Additionally, Lloyd prioritized academic excellence, with the team achieving high GPAs and earning the NABC Team Academic Excellence award. His contract with Arizona was extended through the 2026-27 season.

Registration and tickets are required. Ticket purchases are partially tax-deductible. Sponsorships are also available and include reception reservations. For more information and to register, visit arthritis.arizona.edu/bear-down-celebration. For questions, please email livinghealthy@arthritis.arizona.edu or call 520-626-4111. The RSVP deadline for sponsorships and ticket purchases is Sep. 25.