Arizona Football practices through grief over Zach Hemmila’s passing

It has certainly been a heartbreaking and sad past few days regarding Arizona Football, but the team moves on, with former teammate Zach Hemmila in their hearts. 

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Just a few days after the untimely and tragic passing of redshirt Senior, Zach Hemmila, the team, unfortunately, had to resume normal activity, with weeks away from the 2016 season kick-off. It wasn’t easy, and Coach Rod even said there was no coaching handbook for how to handle this type of situation.

With heavy hearts, the team continued their regular practice schedule yesterday, while in training at one of the Arizona Cardinals’ facilities in Tempe, AZ. The move was made to escape inclement weather, as well as a bit of the sadness surrounding the program these past few days.

Arizona Athletic Director Greg Byrne announced via social media that the team would be training in Phoenix, thanks in large part to the Arizona Cardinals football organization. He mentioned at Pac-12 Media days that he had become friends with the teams NFL coaching staff, and they have come through for the Cats big time.

As they arrived in Tempe, the team was greeted with a banner which read ‘Football is Family’ with both teams logo’s side-by-side. After the outpouring of love and support from numerous coaches and programs around the country, nothing better embodied that phrase than the help given by the Arizona Cardinals these past few days.

It’s great to see such a classy organization like the Cardinals within our own state, to reach out to the University of Arizona football team during these difficult times. They even decorated the field so it felt like home:

In addition to the slight change in practice conditions, it was announced the team would be attending a viewing and service for Zach on Thursday and Friday as a team.

Hemmila’s closest and longest friends on the team spoke candidly about how they were handling the grief, and how difficult it has been for them. Cody Ippolito, Jacob Alsadek, and Josh Kern spoke to media after practice along with Coach Rod, “We’ll get through it as a team”:

While it is certainly tough to get over the loss of someone close to you, the only way this team is going to be able to accomplish that this year, is if they do it together.

Next: Rest in Peace Wildcat, Zach Hemmila Passes Away at 22

At Zona Zealots, we are still saddened by the loss of a Wildcat. We have Zach’s family and friends in our thoughts and prayers, and hope the team bands together this season to play in remembrance of Zach! They have plans for several ways to pay homage to their fallen Wildcat. Bear Down, Zach, #Forever65!