Not everyone will be wearing a Zona Zoo T-shirt at this Saturday’s first home football game, as limited options in sizing exclude some students.
Borna Goharriz, a biology junior, went to pick up his shirt on the first day they were available for pick-up. He waited 45 minutes in line only to discover his shirt size wasn’t available.
“”I wear an XXL T-shirt, and they told me they didn’t have XXL in shirts yet and to come back in four days,”” he said. “”When I went back four days later they said they wouldn’t be getting in any T-shirts larger then an extra-large. I ended up getting an extra-large shirt and giving it to a friend.””
Ten-thousand Zona Zoo T-shirts were ordered to be given away with memberships this year and 8,000 memberships have been sold so far, said David Roost, Zona Zoo director.
Memberships include passes that are classified as “”Red”” and “”Blue.”” Red passes, at $95, allow access to home games for every sport, while “”Blue”” passes, at $60, exclude men’s basketball contests.
Zona Zoo designs the T-shirts every year and the Arizona athletics department orders the shirts and sells the memberships, Roost said.
“”I didn’t know the size of the shirts only went up to an extra-large or that there was a demand for a larger size,”” he said. “”If there are students that need a larger size, then I think we should cater to that size.””
Aaron Smith, a physics doctoral student and a Zona Zoo member since last year, said he hasn’t been able to wear his Zona Zoo T-shirt because of its length.
“”I am a tall guy, and the large shirts are the right width for me, but the length is too short,”” he said. “”The extra-large shirts aren’t any longer, just wider.””
“”The Zona Zoo shirts look great at sporting events because everyone is wearing bright red,”” he added. “”Since I can’t wear my shirt, I wear red to show school spirit at the games.””
Not all students are dissatisfied with their Zona Zoo wear.
Cliston Harris, a finance junior, has been a Zona Zoo member for one year and said he is happy with his Zona Zoo shirt.
“”I went the first week of school and bought a red package with a large shirt,”” he said. “”I wore the shirt yesterday, and it fits great.””
After the Wildcat’s inquiry, Roost said he contacted the athletics department to request that larger shirts be ordered.
The UA athletics department placed another order for shirts yesterday, and will order XXL shirts, Roost said. The shirts should arrive within two weeks. Roost said he was unsure of how many XXL shirts will be ordered.
“”In the past there has never been a demand for shirts larger than an extra-large, and we don’t give away too many extra-large shirts,”” he said. “”We would never intentionally neglect any students.””
