Teacher Michelle Dorson is a HUGE Arizona Wildcats Fan

Michelle is a HUGE Arizona Wildcats fan, are you a bigger fan? You be the judge.

We met Michelle Dorson in Las Vegas at the NBA Summer League watching former Wildcats and now free agent for the Sixers, T.J. McConnell, play against Nick Johnson (now a Nugget according to Adrian Wojnarowski) and Player Developement Coach Matt Brase of the Houston Rockets last weekend. Thank goodness we found her and her Wildcat dad because it made watching the game even more enjoyable.

Michelle Dorson and her dad Photo Credit: Michelle Dorson

During halftime, Michelle showed us pictures of her home, and man I was so impressed. She painted the words to “BearDown Arizona” on her stairs, she has memorabilia all over the house and she painted the walls with the colors of the school.

Michelle grew up in Tucson, Arizona, in the Southeast part of town where her parents owned the furniture store Dorson’s Furniture. She went to college in Boston, but stayed true to her Arizona roots. She currently live in Las Vegas, NV, where she teaches pre-kindergarten and kindergarten aged students on the Autism Spectrum.

Michelle’s parents met and graduated from the University of Arizona. She and her sister became Wildcats fans at an early age. Her parents carried them into basketball games where we would sit on their laps.

Her niece is currently learning the lyrics to “Bear Down Arizona” and also enjoys cheering for the Wildcats with her Aunt and the rest of the family.

Michelle loves being a teacher and knowing that she makes a difference in the lives of her students

We asked her more questions about being a HUGE Arizona Wildcats fan. Here is our interview:

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ZZ: Are you an Arizona Alumni?

MICHELLE: I did not attend the University of Arizona. I attended Brandeis University where I played tennis. I graduated in 2001 and went on to get my first master’s degree from Emmanuel College, in Elementary Education. In 2005, I moved to Las Vegas and got a second master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education and a third masters degree focusing on Autism Spectrum Disorder.

My parents met and graduated from the U of A and they currently live in the north-east part of town.

Michelle Dorson and her dad Photo Credit: Michelle Dorson

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

MICHELLE: I grew up in Tucson, Arizona, in the southeast part of town. I love all things Wildcats! I love being a teacher and knowing that I make a difference in the lives of my students.

I have been a fan of the Wildcats for as long as I can remember. My parents would carry my sister and I in to basketball games, until we were too big and needed our own tickets. I love all Wildcat sports. When I lived in Boston, my mom would tape Wildcat games for me and mail them to me, just so I could watch.

ZZ: What was it about the University of Arizona Athletics program that makes you proud?

MICHELLE: All of the Athletic programs make me proud and I sport red and blue as much as I can. I have recently gotten in to the Gymcats because my friend’s daughter, Kennady Schneider is on the team! I am so proud of the athletic program that I got my dad the brick “RAD DAD” outside McKale.

Michelle Dorson and her dad Photo Credit: Michelle Dorson

ZZ: What are some of your favorite things about the Arizona Wildcats teams? Which team do you follow the most?

MICHELLE: My favorite thing about Wildcats teams is the passion that the fans show, whether they are at the games or watching from afar. I keep the cable company I have, because they get PAC-12 network, which I could not go without. I follow basketball and football the most.

ZZ: Do you attend any Arizona games in person when they are in or close to your home town? Do you ever travel to see the Wildcats Play?

MICHELLE: Living in Las Vegas, I love being able to travel home to see games as often as I can. I also travel to different states to see them. I was thrilled when they moved the Pac-12 tournament to Las Vegas. I tend to plan trips home to visit my parents, around basketball games.

ZZ: Do you go to a specific establishment or sports bar to watch the games if you can’t go in person? If so, where’s your local hangout?

Michelle Dorson and her dad Photo Credit: Michelle Dorson

MICHELLE: When home in Las Vegas, I tend to watch most Wildcat games at my house, because most bars do not get Pac-12 Network.

ZZ: What is your favorite song, saying or cheer when it comes to the Arizona Wildcats?

MICHELLE: Obviously, Bear Down Arizona is my favorite song, and I recently had the lyrics put on the stairs of my house (see picture). I love that even my almost 3-year-old niece is learning the lyrics!

ZZ: Do you have any game day rituals or game day look? Does everyone you work with know you are an Arizona Wildcats fan?

MICHELLE: Everyone I work with knows that I am a die-hard Wildcats fan. I have an entire collection of “work” clothes that are red and blue, with MANY Wildcat accessories.

ZZ: Do you have a favorite Arizona Wildcat Athletics moment?

MICHELLE: My favorite Wildcats moment was when I went to the Final Four in Indianapolis in 1997 and they won!!! My friends and I ran around and found all the local Tucson news stations and were on TV back home.

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ZZ: Tell us about the pride you feel when you wear the school colors. If you see another Arizona Wildcat wearing the school gear, do you shout out to them “Go Cats” or “Beardown” or anything else?

MICHELLE: No matter where I am or what I am doing, if I see someone wearing anything Wildcat related, I will also yell out “BEAR DOWN”.

ZZ: Does winning or losing a game affect your mood?

MICHELLE: Obviously I love when the Wildcats win and am not thrilled when they lose, but what gets me the most is no one says anything when the CATS win, but the second they lose, everyone contacts me to rub it in!!!!!

Michelle Dorson and her dad Photo Credit: Michelle Dorson

ZZ: Who is your favorite Arizona Wildcat player and what sport do they or did they play? Favorite Coach?

MICHELLE: My favorite basketball Wildcat is Mike Bibby!!!! I also love Tedy Bruschi and Rob Gronkowski, since I lived in Boston; they are the best of both worlds for me!

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

MICHELLE: And when meeting them, I would simply say BEAR DOWN!!!!

Beardown Michelle and Family! I look forward to watching another game with you in the future! Thank you so much for your time and keep on cheering for our Arizona Wildcats!

Here are some more shots from inside Michelle’s house, I am so envious! Great job Michelle! Top this Wildcats fans…

Michelle Dorson and her dad Photo Credit: Michelle Dorson

Next: Five Biggest Questions for Next Seasons Arizona Wildcats Basketball Team

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