University of Arizona Alum Shares Unique Game-Day Ritual Ashley Hendrickson, a 2001 University of Arizona graduate and lifelong fan, has developed a distinctive game-day ritual that has become a staple of her experience watching the Wildcats’ men’s basketball games. Her routine, which blends personal tradition with a sense of community, has grown so ingrained that it now involves friends and fellow fans who eagerly track her every move. Hendrickson’s dedication to her ritual began in childhood, when her parents took her to games with three season tickets. Over the years, her fandom evolved into a structured pre-game routine. She describes her approach as a way to feel connected to the team and, perhaps, exert a small measure of control over the outcome. “Anything that might sway the game in the Cats’ favor for us to win, I’m pretty much down for it as long as someone is willing to bail me out of jail,” she said, referencing the lengths she’ll go to for her tradition. Her ritual centers around a specific wardrobe routine. She wears the same outfit—shirt, jeans, socks, bracelets, and earrings—every game. If the Wildcats start losing, she alters her attire in a deliberate sequence. “I start by taking the left bracelet off, and if that doesn’t make an incredible difference right away, immediately the right bracelets come off,” she explained. The timing of these changes is often unpredictable, but she insists the ritual has moments of success. One memorable instance occurred during a 2024 game against Utah. The Wildcats entered triple overtime, and Hendrickson kept changing shirts, with the game tied each time. After exhausting all her shirts, she removed her clothing entirely, sitting under a blanket. “We won,” she said, highlighting the bizarre yet symbolic culmination of her routine.#tucson #university_of_arizona #ashley_hendrickson #kgun_9 #jackie_aguilar
