An Arizona Wildcats event originally scheduled for a brewery on Mill Avenue will be relocated to another venue following complaints from Arizona State Sun Devils fans.
As part of its annual Arizona Athletics Road Tour across the state, the Wildcats announced Monday that they will make a stop in Tempe -- specifically, Pedal Haus Brewery, located less than a mile from ASU campus -- the evening of Monday, May 21. New UA football coach Kevin Sumlin and athletic director Dave Heeke were among the guests advertised to attend and address the crowd during the free event.
But on Tuesday, Pedal Haus Brewery confirmed that the Wildcats are now looking for another Valley venue following complaints from ASU fans and alumni. The new location of the event is to be determined.
Pedal Haus Brewery owner Julian Wright said he was approached about the event by a third party and was unaware the event was UA-related until learning about it through social media. Once Wright, an ASU alum, learned that information and received complaints from fellow Sun Devil fans, Pedal Haus made the decision to cancel the event.
"Our commitment is to ASU. Always has been and always will be," Wright said. "We’re big fans and big supporters of the university and the sports program."
UA hosts several "Road Tour" events across the state each year, including an annual stop in the Valley. Last year's Valley visit took place at Culinary Dropout in Tempe. Heeke, UA men's basketball coach Sean Miller and then-head football coach Rich Rodriguez were in attendance.
This isn't the first time this year that UA has attempted to promote itself in the heart of ASU territory. In January, a series of billboards welcoming Sumlin to Arizona were featured throughout the Phoenix area, including one near Sun Devil Stadium.
