Desireé Reed-Francois, R. Ken Coit Director of Athletics at the University of Arizona, released a newsletter on May 22 highlighting recent academic and athletic accomplishments within Arizona Athletics.
The update comes as the university marks a period of notable achievements for its student-athletes both in competition and in the classroom. Reed-Francois said that May is a meaningful month on campus, emphasizing its importance for celebrating student growth and graduation.
According to Reed-Francois, Arizona Athletics celebrated 126 student-athlete graduates representing over 60 majors from 42 states and countries. She said this year’s commencement was particularly special for her personally, as she experienced it both as an athletics director and as a parent. “Watching our student-athletes walk across the stage while reflecting on my own child brought a different perspective and a deeper appreciation for the responsibility we have as leaders, mentors, and educators,” Reed-Francois said.
The department reported record academic success with a Graduation Success Rate of 92% among student-athletes and an all-time high departmental GPA of 3.412 during Fall 2025. This year’s valedictorians were Sami Baytosh (Soccer), Tayler Biehl (Softball), Ella Hatteberg (Soccer), and Gianna Lenczner (Gymnastics).
Athletically, Arizona Men’s Basketball finished with a record of 36-3, winning both Big 12 regular season and tournament championships before advancing to the Final Four for the first time in twenty-five years. Coach Tommy Lloyd was named Naismith National Coach of the Year after becoming the winningest head coach in NCAA history through his first five seasons. Other programs such as football, tennis, triathlon, golf, swimming & diving also saw postseason success or national recognition.
Reed-Francois also noted that fundraising reached $45.8 million this year—a new department record—crediting donors’ support for enabling scholarships and resources across all sports programs.
In closing her message to supporters she wrote: “Thank you for believing in Arizona Athletics and for investing in the future of our student-athletes. We are incredibly grateful for your partnership and proud to continue building something special together here in Tucson.”
