Now, Arizona Nation will get to further know the Kid’s kids.

Taryn Griffey, the hot-shot basketball phenom of Griffey Jr., committed to the University of Arizona this week, eschewing much more dynamic programs in the process.

Junior’s junior was the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 8A player of the year and a two-time state champ at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips High School, (that’s a real school) before tearing her ACL. Despite the injury, she still drew interest from some of the sport’s biggest programs.

That’s a major coup for an Arizona program that went 12-18 (4-13 Pac-12) last season. Things are looking up in Tucson, however. This spring the Wildcats saw their first player (Davellyn Whyte) drafted into the WNBA.

Part of the lure of the Old Pueblo for Taryn certainly was a chance to attend school with her older brother Trey, a wide receiver on Rich Rodriguez’ football team.

FAMILY TIES

It can be argued that Griffey Junior — who jumped to The Show right out of Cincinnati’s Moeller High School — can now be considered an honorary Wildcat alum.

Where do the Griffey’s rank among Arizona’s family lineages?

Damon and Salim Stoudamire: Cousins dominated the hardwood in Tucson, before taking their games to the NBA.

Lute Olson, Julie and Matt Brase: Julie and Matt, played their college ball on a court named after their grandparents.

Rob and Chris Gronkowski: The brothers Gronked Tucson before becoming cult icons in the NFL.

Nic and Dondre Wise: PG Nic continues his hoops career overseas, while walk-on brother is seeking coaching gigs.

Ron and Brad Hassey: Ron was a slugging,  MLB, journey-man catcher in the 80s and 90s with the Yankees, White Sox and Indians. Brad manned shortstop for the Wildcats.

TARYN GRIFFEY

Whatever you call it, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament has returned in all its bracket-busting glory. And that’s almost always good news for University of Arizona basketball fans — and for the Wildcats, as well.

The Arizona Wildcats have been a No. 10 seed three times, and lost in the first round each time. For the first time, Sean Miller and the ‘Cats are a No. 6 seed. They’ll face Belmont in the first round of the 2013 NCAA tourney. Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

Sean Miller’s squad (25-7, 12-6) will face No. 11 Belmont (26-6, 14-2) on March 21 in Salt Lake City (time TBD).

It might be the 31st trip to the Big Dance for Wildcats, but it’s the first time they’ve ever been a six seed.

Since seeding began in 1985, Arizona has been a No. 1 seed and a No. 2 seed five times each. They’ve been a No. 3 seed four times and a No. 10 seed three times. The Wildcats have also twice danced as a No. 4, 5, 8 and 9 seeds. And, once in 2009, they were a No. 12.

Arizona has never been a No. 7, 11, 13, 14, 15 nor 16 seed. The year they were No. 12 (2009), they rolled to the Sweet Sixteen before being upended by this year’s No. 1 seed, Louisville.

During the seeded-tournament era they’ve amassed a 44-25 record.

The Wildcats have been bounced from the tourney in the first round 11 times, the latest coming in 2008 to West Virginia. The next most frequented round, however, is the Sweet Sixteen, with six appearances.

Arizona has never squared off against Belmont, the Ohio Valley Conference champs, but Sean Miller is 1-0 versus the Bruins.

The Wildcats are 4-1 all-time against the Ohio Valley Conference, with wins against Austin Peay, Eastern Illinois, Morehead State and Murray State (the only OVC team to dole the UA a loss).

From Oscar Robertson’s No. 1 to Wayne Gretzky’s iconic No. 99, uniform numbers are as much a defining trait for a player as is his cross-over dribble, slap shot or blazing fastball.

Major League Baseball is rife with numbers tradition. Think Babe Ruth’s No. 3, Mickey Mantle’s No. 7 or Willie Mays’ No. 24. But one number is more synonymous with power than all of them:

The No. 44.

No. 44’s have been all-time home run kings (Hank Aaron). They’ve been World Series legends (Reggie Jackson). They’ve even had entire bodies of water named after them (McCovey Cove).

It’s a number that used to make pitchers tremble in their stirrups. It’s an integer once owned by burly, mustachioed, lumberjacks of men such Ken Phelps^, Gorman Thomas and Jeff Burroughs (631 career home runs combined) — not pitchers with names such as Ron Darling or John Lamb (combined 239 career home runs allowed).

Above the double four’s on the back of a jersey should be panic-inspiring names such as Butch Huskey, Brian Hunter and Bombo Rivera, even if they only hit a combined 121 career home runs wearing the integer. It’s the fear that counts.

The atomic number 44 is Ruthenium, for George Herman’s sake!

But it seems as if No. 44 as a slugger’s number is that of a woebegone power era — one that eschewed steroids for beer guts.

There are 25 men wearing No. 44 in the Major Leagues this spring. Of them, 18 are pitchers, four are non-roster invitees and three are coaches. Five teams (Braves, Brewers, Giants, Orioles and Yankees) have retired the number.

Nine hitters actively don the once-mighty number. The career leader among them is a catcher who’s been traded twice this off-season, the last time for a knuckleball pitcher.

ACTIVE HR LEADERS WEARING NO. 44

John Buck, Mets C: 118

Mark Trumbo, Angels OF: 61

Mark Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks 1B: 28

Justin Maxwell, Astros OF: 27

Dallas McPherson, Dodgers INF: 18*

Anthony Rizzo, Cubs INF: 16

Rene Rivera, Padres C: 4*

Drew Sutton, Red Sox OF: 4*

Mike Leake, Reds P: 2**

Jake Peavy, White Sox P: 2**

Chris Hermann, Twins C: 0

*Non-Roster Invitee

**Pitchers

Adam Dunn should be on that list. The Chicago White Sox’ slugger has sent 354 of his 406 career homers over the wall wearing No. 44. But he’s since yielded the digit to teammate Jake Peavy, a pitcher with two career homers.

That’s a far fall from grace (and not former-Phillies’ pitcher and ex-44 Mike Grace and his 27:0 ratio of HR’s allowed to HRs hit) for a number once sported by Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson and Willie McCovey. Combined, the trio walloped 1,572 homers with No. 44 on their backs.

The No. 44 isn’t just a power number in the history of baseball — among the 171 retired numbers in MLB lore — it’s the power number:

(Total HRs Rank)

Jackson knew the significance of the number. When No. 42 wasn’t available when he arrived with the Yankees in 1976, Reg-Gie opted for No. 44 in homage to the then recently-retired Aaron.

Aaron and McCovey wore the number for more seasons (22 apiece) than any other player to button up a No. 44 jersey. That’s three more seasons than the next closest No. 44, journeyman pitcher Danny Darwin (two career home runs).

No. 44 Casey Janssen of the Toronto Blue Jays watches Adam Dunn circle the bases. The White Sox slugger has stroked all but 52 of his 406 career homers while not wearing the No. 44. John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps it’s time to stop teaching the devolution of No. 44 as a power number. Of the 478 players in MLB history to wear it, 293 — or roughly 61 percent — have been pitchers.

The number is retired by five teams, but two of them (Braves and Brewers) both retired Aaron’s number. The Orioles retired catcher Elrod Hendricks’ No. 44 for his off-the-field contributions rather than his 62 lifetime four-baggers.

It’s not as if there’s a dearth of power in this supposed steroid-less ERA. Or a lack of high ERA’s.

Today’s pitchers wearing No. 44 are more Con Ed than they are Connie Mack in terms of power supply. Active hurlers wearing No. 44 have turned and watched a ball sail out of the park 548 times.

The Cleveland Indians were so despondent over their No. 44, pitcher Chris Seddon, that in December, they shipped him to the SK Wyverns, a professional team in South Korea.

Perhaps the best we can do now is look to the past. There we can still dream about how splendid Babe Ruth would have looked wearing No. 44,  had the first uniform numbers in sports history not been assigned based on your position in the lineup — but instead by the wallop in your swing.

^Ken Phelps played 11 seasons and hit 123 home runs, but not everyone was a fan…

To celebrate, legendary University of Arizona quarterback John Button Salmon takes us through the 101 things he loves about his Arizona Wildcats:

Bear Down! The 101 things I love about the Arizona Wildcats on this Valentine’s Day and 101st birthday of Arizona…

— John Button Salmon (@GR8SalmonsGhost) February 14, 2013

101: Beating Arizona State in Water Polo

31 Mar 1997: Coach Lute Olson of Arizona Wildcats hugs guard Miles Simon and center AJ Bramlett after the NCAA Championship game against the Kentucky Wildcats at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. Arizona won the game 84 – 79. Mandatory Credit: Bria

100: The hidden tunnels of Bear Down Gym

99: The Nov. 21, 1986 wedding of Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat. Happy Valentine’s Day, you two love kittens!

98: Terry Francona. Tito!

97: “Nice shot, buddy!”

96:  The baddest alumni ever: Jay Dobyns

95: The smell of Wilbur’s fur after an August football game

94: Beating Arizona State in Track & Field

93: From Brian Anderson to Alan Zinter and the 68 other ex-Cats’ who reached the Major Leagues

92: The anticipation that builds from the muffled roar of the crowd and UA Band as you enter McKale Center for a basketball game

91: UA alum Jim Furyk’s loopy swing

90: THE OOH AHH MAN!!

89. Beating Arizona State in soccer

Seth Mejias-Brean (5) and Brandon Dixon (22) hug. Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

88. Former live mascot Rufus Arizona

87. Jan. 29, 2005, Washington State 70, UA 63 (The worst home loss in Lute Olson’s career): My wife said “yes” on the steps outside of McKale prior to tip-off

86: Eegee’s Dippin’ Dots

85: Damon vs. Salim Stoudamire: one on one, full-court in the student rec center

84: Passing Rooster Cogburn’s Ostrich Ranch on the drive between Tucson and Tempe

83: The 36 appearances by Wildcats in the Super Bowl

82: That Wildcat alum Mitch Hoopes was a football star (Cowboys, Chargers, Oilers and Lions)

81: Beating Arizona State in volleyball

80: Jumpin’ Jenkins!

79: That Joan Ganz Cooney, creator of Sesame Street, knows where Old Main is

78: Yelling “Bear Down” at a complete stranger wearing Arizona gear in a different city and having the sentiment returned

77: Wildcats in the Summer Olympics

76: 1976 College Worlds Series champs!

75: Wilbur Wildcat logo – before his guns were removed

74: That a novelty plastic white, wig dubbed a “Lute Lid” once existed

73: Steward Observatory Mirror Lab below Arizona Stadium

72: Gronk

71: Combined 5,529 career wins between horse-training UA alums Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher, including three Kentucky Derby wins

70: It’s all your fault! It’s all your fault!

69: Jennie Finch, enough said

68: Afternoons in the sun at Sancet/Hi Corbett

68: Pop Quiz: Who’s the fastest Wildcat on four wheels? Annie Potter or Kurt Busch?

67: Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa, the two best female golfers ever, Bear Down

Mark Lyons and Nick Johnson Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

66: Beating Arizona State in golf

65: University of Arizona Garden Gnomes

64: Tussling of Lute Olson’s hair

63: The now-defunct University of Arizona Wiffleball Club

62: Retired ‘Cats: Elliott, Kerr, Bibby and Gardner

61: Lum Davenport, the first Wildcat to break in the Major Leagues

60: Chuck “Scud” Cecil

59: Sparky Sucks

58: That former band director Jack K. Lee penned “Bear Down, Arizona” on a flight after flying over Bear Down Gym

57: Eight College World Series Softball titles

56: Beating Arizona State in lacrosse

55: A 47-38-1 record in the Territorial Cup

54: The University of Arizona campus doubled as Adams College in 1984. Go Adams Atoms!

53: Woody Johnson, Arturo Moreno and Robert Sarver, owners of the New York Jets, Los Angeles Angels and Phoenix Suns at one time all knew how to Bear Down

52: Lazy afternoon by the UA Rec Center pool

51: Trevor Hoffman, former all-time MLB saves leader

50: Sean Miller on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson

49: Dec. 15, 2012: Arizona football wins New Mexico Bowl, Arizona hoops beats No. 5 Florida, bot in final seconds

Arizona Wildcats head coach Andy Lopez hugs pitcher Konner Wade. Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

48: Beating Arizona State in swimming

47: “Point Guard U”

46: Tedy Bruschi

45: George DiCarlo, UA’s first ever gold medal winner and former Olympic record-holder 400-m freestyle

44: Put more astronauts into space than ASU

43: Record four Pac-10 basketball tourney wins

42: The UA advocated hitting em hard and letting em know who is who

41: Amanda Beard

40: White men can jump, Diddy

39: Once appeared in 25 straight NCAA basketball tournaments

38: Kenny Lofton starred for both the UA baseball and basketball teams

37: Beating Arizona State in gymnastics

36: Lance Briggs has sung the UA and Chicago Bears version of “Bear Down”

35: Josh Pastner can coach another program and still be beloved in Tucson

34: UA alum Craig T. Nelson can out-coach any ASU football coach ever

33: Sean Miller donates to Ronald McDonald House Charities

32: Beating Arizona State in tennis

31: 103 Olympians in 16 games

30: Duck Hunting

29: That the University of Arizona wasn’t founded on a former cow pasture and named Tempe Normal School

28:  John Button Salmon is reanimated in Twitter form

27: Beating Arizona State in softball

26: Beating Occidental College in football and getting the moniker “Wildcats”

25: 31 Wildcats drafted into the NBA since 1989, most in nation

24: Reminding Arizona State fans that cheater Barry Bonds is an ASU alumnus

23: 26 All-American Basketball nods

22: Since it’s Valentine’s Day: we love former softball star Lovie Jung

21: Cardinal Red and Navy Blue go so well together

20: The Heavenly Tones of Brigetta

19: Frisbee on the Mall (It can’t all be about varsity sports)

18: Beating Arizona State in ice hockey

17: Hometown hero Sean Elliott

16: Jason Terry, first Wildcat to win NCAA and NBA titles

15: Show off your Wildcat colors Friday

14: No. 16 Arizona shuts out No. 10 Miami in 1994 Fiesta Bowl

13: Beating Arizona State in baseball

12: Beating Arizona State in basketball

11: Ring of Honor

10: Beating Arizona State in football

Sean Miller and Kevin Parrom. Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

9: Beating No. 1 Washington in 1992

8: Arizona Wildcats Baseball: Defending College World Series Champs!

7: Beating three No. 1 seeds in the 1997 NCAA basketball tournament

6: Derrick Williams dismantling Duke. Dismantling. Duke.

5: Robert Luther Olson

4: Arizona defeats No. 1 USC in 1981

3: Steve Kerr, whose 20 first-half points in a 101-73 Wildcat win in Tempe, shut up the classless Arizona State fans who chanted “PLO” after his father’s death at the hands of the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1988

2: Winning 1997 NCAA title

1:

Tell them to…tell the team to Bear Down

— John Button Salmon (@GR8SalmonsGhost) February 14, 2013

WHO MIGHT BE ON FIRST, BUT SMITH, JOHNSON AND WILLIAMS ARE EVERYWHERE ELSE

Julio Jones is No. 1 to the Atlanta Falcons, but how common is his last name in the history of sports? Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

There is only one Zarley Zalapski.

That’s not necessarily a testament to his 12-year, 99-goal career in the NHL, but, rather a reference to his first name – a handle so rare, it doesn’t appear inside the top 1,000 on any of the internet’s myriad baby name generators.

Conversely, there’s Bobby Smith.

Which one? Pick one. Fourteen of them have taken the field, court or ice in the history of the Big Four sports (MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL).

Since the inception of pro sports in the late 1800s — from the Anaheim Ducks’ Antti Aalto to NHL journeyman Andrei Zyuzin — there have been 54,284** athletes to reach The Show.

And while it appears all the good names are reserved for hockey players, the most common surnames are spread throughout all four sports.

So what is in first when it comes to the most common last names in pro sports history?

A LOOK INSIDE THE NAMES OF THE GAMES:

The answer is fairly obvious. The aforementioned “Smith” easily outpaces the field in, well, the field and outside the parameters of pro sports.

• “Smith” is the most common surname in the United States, according to the 2000 U.S. Census — with about 2.5 million of them running around — athlete or not. It’s the only surname with a whole number (1 percent) in terms of the total percentage of the American population.

• The number of professional athletes named “Smith” is no different. In the history of the Big Four, 612 players named Smith have cashed a check from a pro franchise with their name on it.

•  That’s 104 more “Smiths” than the next closest surname: “Johnson” with 508.

• By in large, sports surnames fall along the same lines as the census. There are a few exceptions—most notably in the arena of Hispanic names. “Garcia” is the eighth-most popular name in the country but last among the top 23 sports names, below “Rodriguez,”"Martinez” and “Hernandez.”

• If you want to reach the pros on your name alone, “Jackson” might be the way to go. Jackson is the 18^th most popular surname in general society, but seventh among all athletes all-time.

• “Smith” might be losing its ground to “Johnson.” Exactly 54 “Smiths’ and 54 “Johnsons” lead among the most common last names of active players in the Big Four.

• When it comes to all-time hall-of-famers, “Johnsons” lead the way with 13 inductions. Players with the last name ‘Brown” and “Smith” each have 12; followed by “Robinson” with eight and “Taylor” with seven.

In the history of the NFL, 301 players named “Smith” have waded into the sea of names to take the gridiron. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

• “Smiths” might be the most common, but “Johnsons” have produced the most All-Stars in history, by a 56 to 53 margin. “Jones” and “Brown” ensue with 39 each. Players named “Williams” have been All-Stars 33 times.

•  Of the 158 “Smiths” to step between Major League chalk lines, none have ever won an MVP nor Cy Young award. “Hernandez” is the most common MVP/Cy Young winner in MLB history: Keith, Felix and Willie (Won MVP and Cy Young in 1984).

• Four “Robinsons” (Brooks, David, Frank and Jackie) have won MVP honors in the Big Four. A Smith has never claimed NHL MVP honors, not even a Conn Smythe (MVP) trophy.

If the numbers are off, they’re off by one or two. Cut me some slack. I sifted through 54,284 names of coaches and players, pulling out the Williams from the Williamsons and the Millers from the Druckenmillers.

Got any data questions you’d like to see answered about the top 20 names in sports history? I now have the database. (And, “Why did I do it?” is not a viable question.)

**Special thanks to Sean at Sports-Reference.com for sending the amount of players to play in each of the Big Four Sports.

Some are clever. Others are terrible.

Photo Tweeted by @ZonaBoobs

Then there’s the #Boobment – the latest craze to blend collegiate loyalty and skin, while teetering dangerously on the precipice of sexism and objectification.

The #boobment began in mid-January at the University of Kansas when the Twitter handle @KUBoobs went as viral as the West Nile Virus. @KUBoobs is basically as the name advertises, offering the kind of amateur co-ed photos that force Big Jay to cover Baby Jay’s eyes.

Says their bio:

“We support our #kubball team by tweeting ourselves in KU shirts and apparel. We dont promote nudity.”

Naturally, other schools had to follow. And by “follow” we don’t mean join @KUBoobs’ 32,000-plus (in nine days) fan base. Off-shoots have bounced onto the scene at virtually every major college — including the University of Arizona.

Queue @ZonaBoobs.

In the name of, let’s call it…journalism, here’s a breakdown of how the Pac-12 puts ‘em on the glass:

• Since the sweaters first came up on Jan. 16, @ZonaBoobs has added 1,289 followers. That’s a disappointing number, in that, @SunDevilBoobs is sitting hairy at 1,838 presumably toothless followers.

(Hey, it’s a post about breasts, proper decorum left the conversation after the third graph)

• Like their father’s before them, the @ZonaBoobs girls should be proud. @ZonaBoobs sits at No. 2 in the Pac-12 in total followers. In fact, @ZonaBoobs has about the same amount followers as California, Oregon State, Southern Cal, Stanford, Washington and Washington State combined.

• Washington State is the lone Pac-12 school keeping their clothes on and is not yet a member of the #boobment. Stanford’s lone entry is a blank, gray page that claims to be a photo of Manti Te’o's girlfriend’s boobs.

• The first result after running the terms “Washington State Boobs” into Twitter’s search engine yields the White House’s official Twitter page @WhiteHouse. That’s followed closely by the official accounts of Newt Gringrich (@NewtGingrich); Sean Hannity (@SeanHannity); Oregon State football coach Mike Riley (@Coach_Riley); and Greta Van Susteren (@GretaWire).

I swear that’s true.

Legendary University of Arizona quarterback John “Button” Salmon didn’t just utter the infamous phrase “Bear Down.” He was also a master of bad jokes back in his day – or so we would imagine (just roll with it). JBS cracks wise with Wildcat Nation:

 

@jordanchill43 I think my head just exploded.

— John Button Salmon (@GR8SalmonsGhost) January 18, 2013

@jbamacriner82 Sounds like you need more lotion in your life.

— John Button Salmon (@GR8SalmonsGhost) January 18, 2013

@uofaddison54Dwight IS the new Shaq. I heard he’s filming Shazam II this off-season.

— John Button Salmon (@GR8SalmonsGhost) January 18, 2013

@coachlopez_ii Making Wildcat coffee?

— John Button Salmon (@GR8SalmonsGhost) January 18, 2013

@suns @amazingcomiccon @channing_frye Are all five Aquaman? Or is that just me?

— John Button Salmon (@GR8SalmonsGhost) January 18, 2013

@tbthrows I’d suggest you hire a milk man, but he’d probably skim you on moo-la. (Ugh. That was bad. Even for my low standards).

— John Button Salmon (@GR8SalmonsGhost) January 18, 2013

Twitter-view: Interviewing characters in 140 characters or less.

Courtney Karst has inked a deal to play professional volleyball in Indonesia. The former University of Arizona outside hitter played in every set for the Wildcats in 2011, leading the team in kills (360) en route to All Pac-12 Honorable Mention honors. We caught up with the former Wildcat outside hitter for a quick Twitter chat…

.

“It’s official! I signed a contract this morning to go play professional volleyball in Indonesia! Still not sure when I leave though!” – Courtney Karst @courtyk23

.

@courtyk23 Congrats, Courtney. Can I talk you into a Twitter-view? A few interview questions via Twitter for TucsonCitizen.com? – Chris W

— Christopher Wuensch (@BearDownAndBlog) January 17, 2013

@courtyk23 How would you describe the outpouring of support today?

— Christopher Wuensch (@BearDownAndBlog) January 17, 2013

@beardownandblog it’s amazing! You never know how many people really support you and this really opens my eyes to it!

— Courtney Karst (@Courtyk23) January 17, 2013

@beardownandblog started playing rec Vball when I was 7 club volleyball when I was 12! And no definitely never thought I’d be a pro!

— Courtney Karst (@Courtyk23) January 17, 2013

@beardownandblog all of the coaches I’ve had have inspired me!

— Courtney Karst (@Courtyk23) January 17, 2013

@beardownandblog I’ve been to Europe but never to Asia! I need to go to Barnes and noble to get my Rosetta Stone still! Haha

— Courtney Karst (@Courtyk23) January 17, 2013

@beardownandblog I just got off the phone with a former club coach who is now the head coach at UC Bakersfield and he used to play there!

— Courtney Karst (@Courtyk23) January 17, 2013

@beardownandblog that information I don’t know yet!

— Courtney Karst (@Courtyk23) January 17, 2013

@beardownandblog thank you!

— Courtney Karst (@Courtyk23) January 17, 2013

“@jerzydevil: @greg_byrne why the inequality in # of sports4 each gender?T. IX meant to level field, not tilt it.” participants not sports

— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) January 16, 2013

“@uofajohn: @greg_byrne @azathletics why did we add this sport ?” New opportunities & part of Title IX plan

— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) January 16, 2013

“@richman43: @brettfera & GB u really think cost of travel salaries & tuition will b covered by tix sales & donors?” No but only 2 sports do

— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) January 16, 2013

“@johnjj1212: @greg_byrne @azathletics does Sand Volleyball mean more scholarships for baseball?” No effect on scholarships for other sports

— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) January 16, 2013

“@savychick93: @greg_byrne when would the sand vb season start?” Spring of 2014

— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) January 16, 2013

“@ksears47: @greg_byrne Will sand volleyball matches most likely be played at the rec?” Probably not, still finalizing

— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) January 16, 2013

“@richman43: @greg_byrne @azathletics another waste of funds!” Disagree.

— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) January 16, 2013

“@tucsonsco: @greg_byrne Where will they be playing these Sand Voleyballgames? SANDset field? #PunIntended” Funny.

— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) January 16, 2013

“@mhart92: @greg_byrne that’s great!Are we going to move up Ice Hockey soon?” No sir.

— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) January 16, 2013

“@ryubeta06: @greg_byrne awesome does this mean we get wrestling? #titleIX” No.

— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) January 15, 2013

Water isn’t necessary when it comes to beach volleyball, however. The University of Arizona announced on Tuesday that women’s beach volleyball would be the school’s 20th varsity sport.

Related: Adding women’s sand volleyball a no-brainer for the Arizona Wildcats

Arizona womens’ volleyball coach Steve Walker will head up the team.

”This is an exciting day for the University of Arizona and our volleyball program,” said UA Athletic Director Greg Byrne.  “With our strengths as an athletics department – including strong indoor volleyball, great interest from our fans and weather that is very conducive to outdoor activity – it’s a natural fit for us.”

Sand Volleyball debuted last year with 15 schools. That number leaps to 29 this year and potentially up to 47 by the 2013-14 season.

The Grand Canyon state was the first state in the country to add sand volleyball to its high school roster in 2011. California has since joined the beach party.

Reactions from around Wildcat Nation:

We are pleased to announce the 20th sport for @azathletics.Women’s Sand Volleyball…. soc.li/42VdVLe

— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) January 15, 2013

An exciting day at the U of A…We are adding sand volleyball as the 20th U of A sport! Here is more info: arizonawildcats.com/sports/w-volle…

— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 15, 2013

Arizona Wildcats add a new sport: sand volleyball: bit.ly/1086a2X Where’s the men’s sand volleyball? I would be their #1 fan #Imacreep

— Taryne Mowatt (@tarynemowatt) January 15, 2013

Man I’m mad U of A has sand Vball now and I’m done lol I LOVE SAND

— Courtney Karst (@Courtyk23) January 15, 2013

-UA Volleyball Outside Hitter

Arizona would be getting a sand volleyball team right when I leave lol

— Max Wiepking (@maxwiepking52) January 15, 2013

- Arizona hoops reserve

#ArizonaWildcats to add Sand Volleyball as a varsity sport. All volleyball in my day was played on sand. #BearDown

— John Button Salmon (@GR8SalmonsGhost) January 15, 2013