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Hunley and Bibby were inducted into the Crest Insurance ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday night at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s two representatives joined Olympic swimmer Melissa Belote Ripley, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, U.S. soccer player Julie Ertz, former Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr., MLB player Paul Konerko and Matt Shott, the former senior director of amateur hockey development for the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Coyotes.

Bibby, a Phoenix Shadow Mountain product, signed with ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ men’s basketball as a McDonald’s All-American in 1996. As a freshman, Bibby led the Wildcats to the program’s only national championship in 1997. Bibby ended his two-year UA career as a Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, Pac-10 Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. Bibby’s No. 10 jersey is retired by the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ basketball program.

After Bibby was taken second overall by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1998 NBA Draft, the point guard carved out a 14-year NBA career. Bibby averaged 14.7 points and 5.5 assists per game in the NBA. Bibby was recently hired as head coach of Sacramento State. 

Hunley became the face of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ football program under head coach Larry Smith. The linebacker and Petersburg, Virginia native held offers from Ohio State and Nebraska, among others, but signed with the Wildcats as a highly-touted recruit.

With Hunley leading the defense, the Wildcats knocked off top-ranked USC in 1981 and undefeated Notre Dame in ’82. Hunley was a unanimous All-American, Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, a three-time all-conference player and is the UA’s career tackles leader (566).

In 1998, Hunley became the first Wildcat to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He is one of four Wildcats to have that honor, along with Chuck Cecil, Tedy Bruschi and Rob Waldrop.

Hunley was taken seventh overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1984 NFL Draft and is the highest-selected Wildcat in draft history. Hunley played in two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos. He joined ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s coaching staff as a defensive line coach under former head coach Jedd Fisch. Hunley is currently ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s executive director of player relations and external development.

Erika Barnes, a former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ softball player and UA athletic administrator, presented the award to Bibby. Former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ basketball player and Crest Insurance Vice President Corey Williams presented the award to Hunley, who donned a black suit and turquoise bolo tie. 

Fighting back tears, Hunley thanked members of his family, including his mother, Scarlette, who was unable to travel to Phoenix for the induction ceremony.  

"She would be so proud," Hunley said. "She would be proud of that fact you people love her kids. She used to always say we were everybody's kids. There were 10 of us, seven boys and three girls, 45 foster brothers and sisters — I don't know how many cousins and nieces. There's a lot of us."

With ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ head coach Brent Brennan, men's basketball head coach Tommy Lloyd and UA softball coaching legend Mike Candrea in attendance, Hunley said the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Sports Hall of Fame honor "is special."

"From the bottom of my heart, I just want to say thank you," Hunley said. "This is a special day for me. This is a special day for the university and a special day for our kids because all I want to do is give them something to look up to and aspire to be. ... This means so much to me. I'm never at a loss for words, but when it's these kind of occasions, I'm a big crybaby and I can't keep it in. ... A lot of people come into your life and become your family.

"It took me 39 years to come back to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ because I wanted to be around family. It's special and it warms my heart." 

Wildcats work on red zone

Towards the end of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s spring practice on Thursday, the Wildcats had a team period focused on execution in the red zone.

New Mexico transfer receiver Luke Wysong pirouetted in the back right corner of the end zone for a touchdown thrown by quarterback Noah Fifita.

Chattanooga slot receiver transfer Javin "Nunu" Whatley and tight end Sam Olson also caught touchdowns, while running back Kedrick Reescano plowed his way in for a touchdown.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s defense also had some bright moments, including an interception in the corner of the end zone by safety Genesis Smith. 

There were other highlights from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s 11th practice of the spring. Here are notes and takeaways from Thursday's practice, as the Wildcats prepare for three more practices until the Red-Blue Spring Showcase Saturday, April 19:

— UT Martin defensive tackle transfer Deshawn McKnight has emerged as one of the Wildcats' most productive defensive linemen this spring. McKnight has consistently produced as an interior defensive lineman and had multiple tackles for loss and batted down a pass thrown by Wisconsin transfer quarterback Braedyn Locke. McKnight, who has also dropped back in pass coverage, has been one of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s most impressive defensive newcomers this spring.

— Jarra Anderson, who transferred from Memphis last year and was held out for a season-ending leg injury, sacked Locke in a red zone team period. Locke was also sacked by Julian Savaiinaea and Ammon Kaufusi in a different period.  

— West Virginia transfer defensive back Ayden Garnes, who's been playing slot cornerback with Treydan Stukes rehabbing, sacked Fifita on a defensive back blitz.

— Northwestern State transfer linebacker Blake Gotcher, who was an FCS All-American and had 162 tackles last season, picked up reps with ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s third unit on defense. Fellow Northwestern State transfer and defensive end Chancellor Owens recorded a TFL with ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s threes.

— Former Pusch Ridge Christian Academy star and walk-on Tyler Mustain moved from linebacker to tight end. Mustain was used for a 13 personnel lineup with three tight ends.  

— Former UA running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt attended Thursday's practice. Croskey-Merritt has met with the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Cardinals and Miami Dolphins leading up to the NFL Draft.

— Saturday's practice at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium, which is open to the public, has been rescheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.