University of Arizona
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The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
http://www.arizona.edu

The University of Arizona is a premier, student-centered research institution. Established in 1885 as the first university in the Arizona Territory and the state's only land grant institution, the UA embraces its three-fold mission of excellence in teaching, research and public service. Now in its second century of service to the state, the UA has become one of the nation's top 20 public research institutions. It is one of only 62 members in the Association of American Universities, a prestigious organization that recognizes universities with exceptionally strong research and academic programs. With world class faculty in fields as diverse as astronomy, plant science, biomedical science, business, law, music and dance, The University of Arizona offers a rewarding educational experience to all who choose to focus on excellence.

Traditions make Wildcats feel at home on campus and generate lifelong UA pride. Singing Bear Down, painting "A" Mountain, ringing the USS Arizona bell and many other customs bind Wildcats together as family. Learn about UA's history, its unique traditions and "Bear Down, Arizona!"

The University of Arizona came into being in a time when college education was neither common nor a high priority. Classes met for the first time in 1891 with 32 students and six teachers. The first two colleges, Agriculture and Mines, held classes in the university's only building -- Old Main -- which is still in use today.

UA's original colors were sage green and silver. However, in 1900, student manager Quintas J. Anderson was offered, at an extremely low price, a set of solid blue jerseys trimmed in red. The team needed new jerseys and had very little money, so Anderson accepted the offer. The new jerseys were greeted enthusiastically, and almost immediately red and blue were approved as the new school colors. While many shades of the colors have been used over the years, UA's official hues are cardinal red and navy blue.

The university's first mascot, introduced in 1915, was a real desert bobcat named "Rufus Arizona" after the U of A president Rufus von KleinSmid. Rufus had many successors over the years, until the practice of using a live animal as a mascot was officially discontinued in the mid-1960's.

The first costumed-student mascot, "Wilbur", appeared during the 1959 football season and was an instant hit. Since then, Wilbur Wildcat's appearance has changed significantly.

Today, more popular than ever, Wilbur even has a mascot wife: Wilma Wildcat! Wilbur and Wilma were married November 21, 1986.

Each autumn the beginning of the UA school year is signaled by the re-painting of the "A" by the freshman class. Today, after more than 100 years, "A" Mountain remains a Tucson and Wildcat landmark.

Homecoming celebrations are a UA tradition dating back to 1914. It is a time for Alumni to visit their alma mater and enjoy a variety of over 100 activities that surround the Homecoming celebration each fall.

Each year, high school bands from across the state come to Tucson to participate in UA's Band Day competitions.

The first UA Band Day was held in 1951 with 14 high school bands joining the fun. Today Band Day is a major football season attraction. More than 40 high school bands take part.

The preservation of the U.S.S. Arizona bell in this tower is dedicated to the memory of the men who lost their lives on the battleship Arizona in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

This bell is one of the two original bells salvaged from the U.S.S. ARIZONA in 1941. In 1944, Wilber L. Bill Bowers, UA Class of 1927, discovered this bell about to be melted down at the Puget Sound Naval Yard in Bremerton, Washington. Bowers saved the bell from destruction and was instrumental in acquiring the bell for the University of Arizona shortly after World War II.

The bell arrived on campus in July 1946. On November 17, 1951 the bell was rung for the first time in the clock tower of the then-new Student Union Memorial Building. The bell was rung on special occasions for the next 50 years until that clock tower and Student Union were razed to make way for the present day facility completed in 2002.

The bell was installed in this clock tower on August 16, 2002. Bill Bowers, at the age of 99, was given the honor of ringing the bell for the first time in its new belfry on September 11, 2002. This bell is to be rung seven times on the third Wednesday of every month at 12:07 p.m. to honor the achievements of the University of Arizona and its community.

The other original bell is on display at the U.S.S. ARIZONA Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Each year during Homecoming, the "A" on "A" Mountain is lit with fire and can be seen from across the city. The "A" is not actually burned. Student representatives from the Freshman and Sophomore classes fill the "A" outline and light flares in unison to create this incredible illusion. In this photo, the "A" can be seen in the background, above the skyline.

Fight! Wildcats! Fight!: :Arizona's first fight song was "Fight! Wildcats! Fight!", written in 1929 by Dugald Stanley Holsclaw, class of '25. Holsclaw went on to serve in the state legislature for many years. "Fight! Wildcats! Fight!" was officially introduced by the UA band at the 1930 Homecoming game and was also performed by Rudy Vallee and his orchestra over the NBC radio network that same year.

Bear Down, Arizona!: One day in 1952 Jack K. Lee, an applicant for the UA's band directorship, was leaving Tucson by air following an interview with university administration. From his airplane window, Lee observed the huge letters on the roof of the UA gymnasium. Inspired, he began to scribble down the music and lyrics to an up-tempo song. By the time his plane landed, he had virtually finished it. A few weeks later Lee was named the university's band director, and in September of that year, the UA band performed "Bear Down, Arizona!" in public for the first time. Soon thereafter, "Bear Down, Arizona!" became accepted as UA's fight song.