The Pac-12 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) voted to award the Arizona softball team with the Pac-12 Sportsmanship Award for the 2023-24 season, the conference announced today. Nominated by Arizona Athletics in collaboration with Arizona’s SAAC, this year's honor recognizes the Arizona softball program for their work in assisting Oregon’s Hanna Delgado, who sustained a season-ending injury at Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium on Friday, April 12.

During the opening game of the Arizona versus Oregon series, Delgado dove near the outfield wall which resulted in a neck injury. Arizona’s athletic trainers and emergency services staff jumped into action to ensure Delgado received immediate medical attention. The Wildcat coaching staff and team provided support to Oregon throughout the weekend, gifting flowers and notes of encouragement to Delgado the following day. 

Oregon head coach Melyssa Lombardi praised the Arizona program for their swift action and support during this difficult situation. “I’d love to talk about Tracy Oshiro, who is Arizona’s trainer. Unbelievable how she assisted KP [Kate Pinkerton], and just their entire event staff, the paramedics. Every single person involved with the situation was on point which allowed Hanna to get the direct care she needed instantly at Banner Hospital,” said Lombardi. “I can’t say enough for how everyone handled the situation…That is something for us that gave us some relief. It was difficult going through it, but just seeing the care that she was getting and how they went about it was unbelievable.”

Delgado returned to the diamond for Oregon’s Senior Day on Sunday, April 21, making her final career start in center field. Delgado was replaced prior to first pitch and received an emotional standing ovation from the crowd at Jane Sanders Stadium as she walked to the dugout, embracing her Oregon family along the way. 

Arizona softball becomes the first-ever softball team to win the Pac-12 Sportsmanship Award. 

The Pac-12 Sportsmanship Award is selected by members of the Pac-12 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and is based on good sportsmanship and ethical behavior in participation of intercollegiate athletics, as well as a demonstration of good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. Nominees must have demonstrated the values of respect and integrity through a specific action, ideally directed toward an opponent. The student-athlete must have consistently demonstrated the values of respect and integrity in his or her daily participation in intercollegiate athletics.