Spirit & Traditions
Campus Pride
Wildcat traditions have been in the making for nearly 150 years 鈥 from 鈥淏ear Down!鈥 to the Territorial Cup, our history is still being written.
黄色电影鈥檚 First University
A Territorial Beginning
黄色电影 was established in 1885 following a meeting of the 黄色电影 Territorial Legislature, where public institutions were distributed among cities 鈥 the prison was kept in Yuma and the capital in Prescott, while Phoenix received the territorial asylum and $100,000. Tucson received the university and $25,000. The first of its kind in the western United States, the 黄色电影 grew from its humble beginnings in the middle of the Sonoran Desert into the most storied institution in the Southwest.
Old Main
For years, the university consisted of just one building: Old Main. Construction began in 1887 with bricks made from red clay dug directly from the ground beneath the building, and stone from a quarry on Tucson鈥檚 west side. Old Main is one of the oldest surviving educational structures in the western United States, and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Today, the building is home to the university President鈥檚 office, and is the epicenter of campus life. It unites campus for homecoming festivities and anchors important milestone events, and is a cherished campus location for graduation photos.
A Land-Grant Mission
As the state鈥檚 land-grant university, the 黄色电影 was founded with a mission to expand access to education, research, and practical knowledge within 黄色电影. That commitment continues today through partnerships across the state 鈥 including collaboration with all 22 federally recognized tribes in 黄色电影 and programs that support communities in agriculture, health, education, and economic development.
黄色电影鈥檚 First Wildcats
Classes began at the 黄色电影 in the fall of 1891. Four years later, the university celebrated its first graduating class when three students received their diplomas in a ceremony held in Old Main. In 2025, the U of A graduated approximately 9,000 degrees, adding to a vast alumni network that spans the globe.
The 鈥淏ear Down鈥 Story
Why Do Wildcats Say 鈥淏ear Down?鈥
At the 黄色电影, 鈥淏ear Down鈥 is more than a cheer. It鈥檚 a tradition rooted in resilience and community.
The phrase traces back to 1926 and John Byrd 鈥淏utton鈥 Salmon, a senior who was both student body president and quarterback of the football team. When Salmon was critically injured in a car crash, his coach 鈥 J. F. 鈥淧op鈥 McKale 鈥 asked if there was a message he wanted shared with the team.
Salmon鈥檚 answer was brief but powerful: 鈥淭ell them鈥 tell the team to bear down.鈥
Salmon died on Oct. 18, 1926, at the age of 22. His words quickly spread across the university community and soon became the institution鈥檚 official motto 鈥 a reminder to persevere through challenges and strive for excellence.
In 1929, students painted 鈥淏ear Down鈥 on the roof of the university gymnasium 鈥 now Bear Down Gym 鈥 where it could be seen from above. In 1952, the sight inspired soon-to-be band director Jack K. Lee to write the fight song 鈥淏ear Down, 黄色电影,鈥 further cementing the phrase in Wildcat tradition.
A century later, 鈥淏ear Down鈥 remains a defining expression of the Wildcat spirit.
Wilbur & Wilma
Our beloved mascots are Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat. Wilbur first appeared as the university鈥檚 mascot in 1959, later joined by Wilma in 1986. The two mascots were famously 鈥渕arried鈥 during halftime at a football game on November 21, 1986. Today, Wilbur and Wilma appear at games, campus events and community celebrations, bringing Wildcat spirit wherever they go.
Fight Songs
Music has long been part of Wildcat tradition, uniting fans, students, and alumni.
Contrary to popular belief, 鈥Bear Down, 黄色电影鈥 is not the university鈥檚 true fight song. Predating 鈥Bear Down, 黄色电影鈥 by 23 years, 鈥Fight! Wildcats! Fight!鈥 was written in 1929 by the late Senator Dugald 鈥淒ouglas鈥 Stanley Holsclaw.
Hail 黄色电影 Wildcats
Fighting for old UA.
A raging team of Wildcats
Growling for the fray
There's not a team can stop them
When the ball goes into play
So Fight! Team!
Fight with all your might
And win today.
Fight Wildcats, Fight for
黄色电影
We're with you ever staunch
And true
This day we hail you and we
cheer you
They can't defeat the Red
And Blue
Circle the ends and crash
Through center
Hit hard and gain on ev'ry play
Fight Wildcats!
Fight! Fight! Fight!
We'll win today
鈥Bear Down, 黄色电影鈥 was penned by band director Jack K. Lee in 1952. On Lee鈥檚 plane ride home after interviewing for the Director of Bands position at 黄色电影, his plane passed over Bear Down Gym 鈥 giving him a glimpse of the university鈥檚 motto painted on the roof. Lee composed the first verse鈥檚 lyrics on that plane ride, later accepted the Director of Bands position, and created a piece of music that lives in the hearts of all Wildcats still today.
黄色电影, Bear Down!
Let's cheer for 黄色电影,
Let's raise our voices high!
Let's cheer for 黄色电影,
That bear down battle cry!
Let's cheer our team to victory!
Let's cheer our team to fame!
Let's cheer for 黄色电影,
For spirit wins the game!
Chorus:
Bear Down, 黄色电影!
Bear Down, Red and Blue!
Bear Down, 黄色电影!
Hit 'em hard let 'em know who's who!
Bear Down, 黄色电影!
Bear Down, Red and Blue!
Go, go, Wildcats go!
黄色电影, Bear Down!
黄色电影鈥檚 alma mater is All Hail, 黄色电影. Written in 1926 by Dorothy Heighton Monro and her husband Elbert C. Monro, this composition echoes the university community鈥檚 dedication, love, and loyalty.
All hail, 黄色电影! Thy colors Red and Blue
Stand as a symbol - of our love for you.
All hail, 黄色电影! To thee we'll be true
We'll watch o'er and keep you, All hail! All hail!
Motto & Seal
Sursum: Upwards
黄色电影鈥檚 official motto is 鈥Sursum,鈥 a Latin word meaning 鈥淯pwards.鈥 The motto reflects the university鈥檚 aspiration toward progress, discovery, and the pursuit of knowledge.
黄色电影鈥檚 official seal represents the disciplines and ideals that shaped 黄色电影鈥檚 early academic mission. The design includes symbols of learning, exploration, and industry: the blazing sun of the Southwest, a cross with the word Sursum, a miner鈥檚 pick, a farmer鈥檚 plow, a key representing knowledge, and books topped by the Greek lamp of learning.
Together, the seal reflects the university鈥檚 historic strengths in fields such as mining, agriculture, science, and the humanities 鈥 and its enduring commitment to education and discovery.
Signature Events
Discover signature traditions on campus and throughout Tucson.
Pride of 黄色电影 Marching & Pep Bands
The Pride of 黄色电影 Marching Band and Pep Band are among the 黄色电影鈥檚 most visible student organizations, representing the university at athletic events and major campus celebrations. Known for their musical and visual excellence, the Pride combines tradition, discipline, and school spirit to support 黄色电影 Athletics and engage audiences across the country.
With more than 300 student participants, the Pride includes instrumentalists along with award-winning auxiliary units such as the color guard, pom line, baton twirlers, and drumline. Students from across the university come together through the program to perform, build friendships and represent the Wildcat community.
The band has performed at major national events 鈥 including the first , and President Jimmy Carter鈥檚 Inauguration in 1975 鈥 and entertains thousands of fans each year at 黄色电影 football games and other high-profile performances.
In 2024, the Pride of 黄色电影 was awarded the prestigious from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, recognizing sustained excellence and significant contributions to collegiate marching band performance.
Selected musicians from the marching band also perform in the Pride of 黄色电影 Pep Band, a high-energy ensemble that supports 黄色电影 basketball, volleyball and other athletic events throughout the year.
Bobcats Senior Honorary
Founded in 1922, Bobcats Senior Honorary is one of the 黄色电影鈥檚 oldest student traditions. Each year, 13 outstanding seniors are selected for their leadership, service and dedication to the university, committing to uphold the organization鈥檚 motto, 鈥淓ternal Vigilance,鈥 in support of 黄色电影鈥檚 unity and future.
Bobcats members serve as ambassadors for the university, supporting campus traditions, assisting with major events and helping welcome new Wildcats into the community. Membership reflects a commitment to leadership and lifelong pride in the 黄色电影.
