Meet NHRA Exec and Wildcat Dad Jeff Morton

Arizona Wildcats Fan: Jeff Morton

Jeff is a special husband and dad of four. One of his sons is Arizona Wildcats Baseball pitcher Kale Morton.  Jeff is an NHRA Advertising Executive who we caught up with to find out about how he celebrates being an Arizona Wildcats fan.

Tell us a bit about yourself, What’s your day job?

My name is Jeff Morton and I am from Glendora, CA.   I am the father of Kale Morton, freshman pitcher on the baseball team. I am married to my beautiful wife, Robyn and we have three other children—Zack, Jared and Kenedi.   I work for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) as the Advertising Director for our publications group.  Our flagship publication is National Dragster, which is a national bi-weekly magazine.

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How long have you been a fan of the Arizona Wildcats?

I’ve always been a casual fan of UofA, but became a dedicated fan the day Kale signed his NLI (about a year ago).  Being from the Seattle area originally, I have been a Washington Husky fan all my life. However, they have been moved to the casual status and the Wildcats are my team!

What was it about the University of Arizona Athletics program that caught your attention?

One of the reasons my son picked Arizona was because they have a top-tier baseball program that plays in the most prestigious conferences in the country (PAC-12).  The academic environment was a perfect fit for him and their C.A.T.S. Academics, C.A.T.S. Life Skills Program and Community Outreach Program was important to him and our family.

What are some of your favorite things about the Arizona Wildcats?

I love the family atmosphere and unity of the fan/alumni base.  Even though I did not attend Arizona they make you feel like I’m one of them.  I love their athletic programs, which starts from the top with the AD Greg Byrne.  His entire athletics department is a reflection of him and his staff in that each sport is important to the university and they take pride in being the best in the country in their particular sport.  The support they give their student-athletes and the emphasis they place on helping them graduate in four years is commendable.

Do you always watch Arizona games or go to the games when they are in town?  How often at home, how often in person, how often do you listen on the Radio?

For baseball season, I have made it to every home series but one.  Even though it is a 6 ½-7 hour drive, I look forward to being at the field and supporting the team.  I flew out to their series at Mississippi St.  and will go to the series at UCLA.  I have not missed one game that I was not in person, as I watch either at home on PAC-12 Networks or the online live streaming.

As for the other sports, we attended the USC football game during parent’s weekend there in Tucson and also went to the Rose Bowl when they played UCLA.

As far as basketball, I have it on my bucket list to attend a game at McKale.  I did, however, support them in their Sweet Sixteen game in person vs. Xavier at the Staples Center in L.A.  I plan on attending the other sports events in the Southern California area this next year.

Do you go to a specific establishment or sports bar to watch the games? If so, what place?

I have caught a few basketball games on tv at Native Wings on Speedway Blvd. and watched the heart-breaking Elite 8 game at the R&R Grill in the Four Points Sheraton at the Tucson Airport.

What is your favorite saying when it comes to the Arizona Wildcats?

Whenever I see fellow Arizona Wildcat fans I either say “BearDown”, “Go Cats” or at the baseball games “Do It” (that’s an inside deal us fathers have) LOL!

Photo by Jeff Morton

Do you have any game day rituals or game day look?

Oh yes…I obviously have to be in Cats colors (red, white or blue).  I coordinate the shirt color with what the team is wearing that day.  Friday (white); Saturday (red) and Sunday (blue).  I also head out to the outfield when the team is about to stretch and warm up and wish Kale good luck!

Do you have a favorite Arizona Wildcat moment?

Every weekend I am around the other fans or parents it becomes a memorable moment.  If I had to pick one out it was from our opening day series with Eastern Michigan.  My brother was down in Arizona on vacation and came to the Sunday game.  As is tradition after the game the parents and family wait to meet the players just outside the locker room.

As we were getting ready to leave, my brother hears a familiar voice calling his name out.  It was a girl (Liz Dalbec) who he had gone to Jr. High and High School with and is the mother of our third baseman and winning pitcher Bobby Dalbec.  They had no clue that her son and his nephew were on the same team…small world!

Tell us about the pride you feel when you wear the school colors.

Without a doubt a lot of pride is felt when you sport the red and blue!  When you wear the Arizona colors everyone knows you support an elite program.

Arizona Wildcats

Does winning or losing a game affect your mood? In which ways?

It sure does…that Vince Lombardi quote “If it doesn’t matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?” says it all.  I’m bummed for my son and his teammates when they don’t win.  I’m a great armchair quarterback when the game’s over; analyzing what worked and didn’t work.

Who is your favorite Arizona Wildcat player and what sport do they or did they play? And why?

My favorite player is Kale Morton of course.  However, just behind him would be football’s Scooby Wright.  He is a talented player that is nonstop on that field.  He plays with a chip on his shoulder and is passionate to help his team win.

If you could say one thing to them, what would it be?

To Kale…continue to work hard and persevere.  Hard work conquers all!  To Scooby …keep aspiring to the best!

You can follow Jeff on Twitter at @Jeff_Morton, and see him at every baseball game cheering on his son and Arizona’s own Kale Morton! BEARDOWN JEFF! And thanks for sharing yourself with us.

Next: Find out more about Kale Morton and his Arizona Wildcats Baseball team!