TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona Athletics Department has received an extraordinary gift from an anonymous alumni couple to launch and fund the 5980 Academic Fund for scholarship and walk-on student-athletes for the first two years. The gift makes Arizona a part of a select, elite list of schools across the country to offer a full allotment of academic awards to all student-athletes in the first year of the new benefit.

"On behalf of the Wildcat Family, I would like to thank these donors for their powerful generosity," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Heeke. "This incredible gift will help elevate the student-athlete experience at Arizona. The 5980 Academic Fund is one of the newest enhancements for our 500 student-athletes who proudly represent the University of Arizona. This gift bolsters our longstanding Commitment to an Athletes Total Success (C.A.T.S) and helps Arizona Athletics fulfill its Wildcat Way mission to develop academic, athletic and life champions."

Launched in the fall, the fund provides supplemental academic awards to student-athletes up to the established maximum of $5,980 per year. All Arizona student-athletes are eligible so long as they maintain good academic performances, meet NCAA eligibility requirements and embrace Arizona's Wildcat Way core values.

Arizona Athletics is actively seeking additional donor support as it continues funding the 5980 Academic Fund in future fiscal years. This fund is one of the recent initiatives launched by the athletics department to recruit and retain student-athletes and bolster its first-class experience in response to the ever-changing landscape of college athletics.

To participate in this important fundraising effort, you can click here to give to Arizona's 5980 Academic Fund.