For the second consecutive year, the Arizona football squad’s annual Meet the Team event saw far fewer students than Tucson locals at Arizona Stadium on Saturday evening.

Although student fans were meager, thousands of community members were on hand for autographs, pictures and conversations with the Wildcat players before the scrimmage later that evening.

Arizona Athletics marketing director Cassidy Moore said she felt the Meet the Team event was a success, as it allowed all the fans to mingle with the players and see them with their helmets off.

“”It gives (students) a chance to dust off the cobwebs from the summer and get really excited about the upcoming season.””

Although there has never been an official count of the attendance at the Meet the Team festivities because it is a free event, Arizona Athletics estimated 7,500 people attended – 1,000 fewer than last year.

Moore said it is possible not as many students show up because they are busy with moving into dorms or apartments and getting their textbooks.

The crowd was cheering as it approached the front row of the west side bleachers, where the entire team lined up and stood with Sharpies, ready to welcome the roaring fans.

“”Everybody is just excited to get this season underway because we feel like they are going to be pretty good this upcoming season,”” said Thomas Starr, a fan from Tucson. “”These events are really fun for the fans, and it gives them an opportunity to meet the people they cheer for every weekend.””

Although the event was organized for the fans, it was a treat for the players as well.

Linebacker Dane Krogstad said the players enjoy interacting with the fans.

“”This is just a real fun time for us,”” Krogstad said. “”I really hope the fans enjoy coming out here and having a good time, because I know we certainly do.””