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The UA Hispanic Alumni Club and UA Athletics kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month with pre-game and half-time festivities on Saturday, Sept. 12.

By Rebecca Ruiz-McGill, University Communications
September 8, 2009

September marks the beginning of tailgating and football season at The University of Arizona. September also marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated nationally from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. 

To honor these September traditions, the UA Hispanic Alumni Club will host its Hispanic Heritage Day Pre-Game Tailgate Fiesta on Saturday, Sept 12 from 2 to 6:30 p.m. on the UA Mall next to Cherry Avenue.

Once the game begins, UA Athletics continues the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Day during the Arizona vs. Northern Arizona University football game. 

"We thought it would be significant to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Day by bringing people together on campus – not only Hispanics but everyone," said Albert Siqueiros, who together with Rosie Garcia are UA Hispanic Alumni co-chairs for the tailgate event. "This campus has a mission to become a Hispanic-serving institution and though we are able to highlight our contributions in a number of ways, the tailgate is a nice way to bring together community from all backgrounds to sit down and share a meal."

The UA Hispanic Alumni Club was founded in 1982 to promote academic excellence among Hispanic students at the University, provide financial and mentoring support to students and develop linkages with alumni and supporters in the business community.

Since 1986, UAHA has awarded 1,998 scholarships worth more than $4.4 million.

The UA Hispanic Alumni Club has joined together with the UA Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs Office in offering $10 tickets to the general public and $6 tickets to UA students for the tailgate fiesta.

The ticket to the tailgate fiesta includes one meal, two beverages and the opportunity to meet old friends and gain new ones.

Food will be provided by El Saguarito Mexican Food Restaurant and entertainment will be provided by Desert View High School's Mariachi Del Desierto.

Tickets can be purchased through the UA Hispanic Alumni Club office or through the UA Hispanic Alumni board of directors. 

"Ticket sales pay for the event itself – your ticket buys you entry into a great community event. It also provides a chance to reacquaint with old friends, alumni, current students and Tucson community members," added Siqueiros.

The tailgate also offers an opportunity for the UA Hispanic Alumni Club members and Tucson community members to meet with students and an opportunity for the students to network.

"Each year the Chicano/Hispano Student Center hosts a welcome for UA students and this year their welcome will be a part of the tailgate fiesta," said Oscar Lujan, program coordinator for the UA Hispanic Alumni Club.  

Arizona Athletics has named Joel Valdez, UA senior vice president for business affairs, as the football team's honorary captain.

Mariachi Arizona de University of Arizona, Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School, Mariachi Monarca de Salpointe High School, Mariachi de Nogales High School and Mariachi Rayos del Sol de Tucson High School will perform with the UA Pride of Arizona during halftime.

Dance groups Ballet Folklorico Tapatio, Grupo Folklorico Los Diabiltos Azules de Sunnyside High School and local Folklorico groups also will perform during halftime. 

Arizona Athletics and KVOA-TV sponsored an art contest and will announce the four, Tucson-area students who best depicted or portrayed the following themes:

• What does being Hispanic mean to you? 
• How do you celebrate the Hispanic culture? 

The four winners will be recognized during halftime.

For tickets to the UA Hispanic Alumni Tailgate Fiesta call 520-626-9327 or e-mail lujano@al.arizona.edu.

Tickets to the UA vs. NAU football game are available at the McKale Memorial Center Ticket Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by phone at 520-621-2287 or 800-452-2287 or online.