From Athletes to Donors
How one couple is creating a culture of giving in Arizona Athletics
Rick ’10 and Callista Elmore ’09 ’14 vividly remember their days as student-athletes.
“Physically, mentally, emotionally — it is so hard. You’re juggling school, training, learning a new position or working with a new coach,” says Rick, who became an NFL linebacker after graduating.
They also agree every moment of struggle was completely worthwhile.
Callista lettered for four years in softball and helped Arizona win two national championships as a standout catcher. She went on to a National Pro Fastpitch team. Now, she works for Arizona Athletics in Phoenix as regional development director, and Rick is the founder of Simply Noted.
“The U of A has provided so much more for us than we could ever give back. We both had scholarships, we met each other, which led to our kids; I still work for the university, which has been such a blessing to our family,” Callista says.
Gratitude and a desire to help today’s student-athletes drove the Elmores to give to the Wildcat Scholarship Fund, which helps players of all 21 Arizona sports meet the full cost of attendance.
“It was a really easy decision, once we were able to do it. I think we talked about it for 30 seconds,” Callista says.
As alumni, the Elmores want to set an example for student-athletes. They’re also inspired by Arizona Athletics programs such as C.A.T.S. Life Skills.
Rick, who was a first-generation college student, believes that kind of support provided a solid career foundation. The older he gets, the more he realizes it, he says. And it makes him want to keep giving.
“We’re going to do more,” he says. His wife agrees. “We will do more.”