Go Wildcats!!!

The History of Bear Down:
The slogan "BEAR DOWN" was given to the Wildcat teams by John "Button" Salmon, student body president and varsity athlete, shortly before he died in 1926 following an automobile accident. His last message to his teammates was "Tell them to BEAR DOWN".

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 U of A 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 U of A's fight song.

Arizona, Bear Down!
Let's cheer for Arizona
Let's lift our voices high
Let's cheer for Arizona
The Bear Down battle cry
Let's cheer our team to victory
Let's cheer our team to fame
Let's cheer for Arizona
For spirit wins the game!

Bear Down Arizona
Bear Down Red and Blue
Bear Down Arizona
Hit 'em hard.
Let 'em know who's who
Bear Down Arizona
Bear Down Red and Blue
Go! Go! Wildcats go!
Arizona Bear Down