TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Arizona Wildcat fans are made up of all different ages. Thus, McKale Center has opened a new lactation room for nursing mothers, located on the south end of the court mezzanine under section 116.
A ribbon cutting ceremony included the University of Arizona President Dr. Robert Robbins, as well as Arizona Wildcats women's basketball head coach Adia Barnes.
Nearly two years ago, Barnes revealed that as a nursing mother, she pumped during halftime of a Final Four game.
"I think this is a beautiful space," said Barnes. "You can be comfortable. It's life changing for a lot of women at McKale Center. It's a really important space.
We are proud to unveil our new Lactation Room in McKale Center!
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) February 7, 2023
This space will be open during all events in McKale and available for parents to pump or feed their children.#BearDown pic.twitter.com/pTmy5U58B2
Babies with headphones on, to protect their ears from the loud noise, are often seen at Arizona Basketball home games.
The McKale Center lactation room is one of 12 new lactation spaces which are funded this year. It will be in use this Thursday when the No. 17 Arizona women's basketball hosts No. 6 Stanford.
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Jason Barr is a sports anchor and reporter for KGUN 9. Jason's stories have won KGUN four prestigious regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for sports reporting. He has also won two Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards for sports reporting. Share your story ideas with Jason by emailing jason.barr@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.