Arizona football: Wildcats take a week on the road

After tragic news on Monday, Arizona hasn’t exactly been in Tucson for very long

The Arizona Wildcats have had a tough week.

It all started on Monday morning when the team was informed at the end of a practice that was cut short that center Zach Hemmila had passed away in his sleep the previous night.

There is almost no way to predict how a team will respond to adversity like this, or a definite way for a particular person to grieve and remember a fallen friend and teammate.

But the way the rest of the week played out probably helped a lot of those players.

The Cats were supposed to return to practice and Sancet Stadium early Tuesday morning, but a severe thunderstorm rolled through Tucson, flooding campus and making it impossible to practice in Sancet or Arizona Stadium.

That forced Greg Byrne to get on the phone with the Arizona Cardinals, and the Wildcats were set from there.

Wildcats have arrived at Cardinals' training facility in Tempe. #BearDown http://pic.twitter.com/c4D8XowQWw

— Cheryl Evans (@photoevans) August 10, 2016

Good shot of end zone at @AZCardinals practice facility painted for our guests from Tucson @ArizonaFBall http://pic.twitter.com/NFRqBfXCTk

— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) August 11, 2016

Incredibly difficult week for UofA football but happy to welcome them to @AZCardinals facility @ArizonaFBall http://pic.twitter.com/mVxN7odugI

— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) August 10, 2016

Arrived in Tempe. Thanks again to the @AZCardinals for their warm hospitality! Ready to get to work! http://pic.twitter.com/bkSallrIM6

— #Forever65 (@ArizonaFBall) August 10, 2016

Yes it is. #FootballIsFamily #ThankYouCardinals http://pic.twitter.com/WflSzMQLMy

— #Forever65 (@ArizonaFBall) August 10, 2016

.@AZCardinals went above and beyond to make @ArizonaFBall feel at home in Tempe. @Greg_Byrne @AZATHLETICS #12Sports http://pic.twitter.com/tdPf9lFInB

— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) August 11, 2016

The team did return to Tucson Thursday night for Hemmila’s viewing, and had a short practice Friday morning in a soggy Sancet before attending his funeral.

"I guess," Rich Rodriguez told me when I asked him if Friday felt like a more normal practice day. "They get a little tired as camp goes on, but I think for a morning practice they moved around pretty good and they’re a pretty resilient group so far anyway."

On Saturday, the team hit the road again, but this trip has been scheduled for a while. The Wildcats spent a couple days at Fort Huachuca outside of Sierra Vista.

And it looks like they got a little more in than just football.

We have arrived at Fort Hauchuca for a pair of practices today! #Forever65 http://pic.twitter.com/cBeHArQV0J

— #Forever65 (@ArizonaFBall) August 13, 2016

After a morning workout, @CoachRodAZ sent the team to the pool! #SaturdaysAreForTheBoys http://pic.twitter.com/BnQyvHtGsZ

— #Forever65 (@ArizonaFBall) August 13, 2016

Pool day! http://pic.twitter.com/LEJfMm36hc

— #Forever65 (@ArizonaFBall) August 13, 2016

Offensive v Defense Water Polo Match #WildcatOlympics http://pic.twitter.com/xioc2JJ4lJ

— Matt Dudek (@AZ_Matty_D) August 13, 2016

Got @DW__AZ in the baby pool with his DBs/Cali Boys #BearDown #PlayForCoachD http://pic.twitter.com/Ot2yVZ6AaE

— Matt Dudek (@AZ_Matty_D) August 13, 2016

Will these two road trips heal all the emotional wounds the Arizona players have been dealing with since Monday? No. But they certainly can’t hurt.

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