Bear Down facts for kids
"Bear Down" is the official motto of the University of Arizona (U of A). This university is located in Tucson, Arizona. This inspiring phrase also led to the unofficial fight song of the school's Arizona Wildcats sports teams. The song is called "Bear Down, Arizona!" The official fight song is "Fight! Wildcats! Fight!" written by Douglas Holsclaw.
History of "Bear Down"
The story of "Bear Down" began with a brave student named John B. Salmon. People called him Button Salmon. He was the student body president at the U of A. He was also a star athlete. He played quarterback for the Wildcat football team. He was also the catcher for the Wildcat baseball team.
In 1926, after the first football game of the season, John Salmon was in a car accident. He was badly hurt. His football coach, Pop McKale, visited him every day in the hospital. During their last visit, John Salmon had a message for his teammates. He told his coach, "Tell them.. tell the team to bear down." John Salmon sadly passed away on October 18, 1926.
After John's funeral, Coach McKale shared his message with the team. He told them before a tough football game against New Mexico State. The U of A team played with great spirit and won the game 7-0.
The next year, the students at the University of Arizona decided to make "Bear Down" their official slogan. They wanted all Wildcat sports teams to use it. A student group held a dance to raise money. They wanted to paint the slogan on the roof of the new university gym. The words "Bear Down" are still on the roof of that gym today. It is now called Bear Down Gym.
In 1939, the phrase "Bear Down" became very special to the University of Arizona. It was recognized as belonging only to the university. This shows how important John Salmon's last words became.
In 2013, the university's football stadium got a new playing field. The words "Bear Down" were placed in the center of the field. Later, in 2022, the field was updated again. "Bear Down" was painted along the sidelines.
The "Bear Down, Arizona!" Fight Song
The song "Bear Down, Arizona!" was written in 1952. The person who wrote it was Jack K. Lee. He later became the university's band director.
Jack Lee was visiting the university for a job interview. He learned the story of the "Bear Down" motto. As his plane flew away from Tucson, it went over the campus. He saw the words "Bear Down" painted on the gym roof. This inspired him! He quickly wrote the song's lyrics on an airsickness bag.
Jack Lee got the job as band director. The song was first performed in September 1952. The U of A band played it at a pep rally in downtown Tucson. You can see a copy of his original song notes at the Student Union Memorial Center on campus.
Song Lyrics
Arizona, bear down!
Let's cheer for Arizona,
Let's raise our voices high!
Let's cheer for Arizona,
That 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!
Chorus:
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!
After the song, the band and crowd often chant more words. This chant comes from a rap song about the Arizona basketball team from 1988. It was written by Harvey Mason, Jr..
A-R-I-Z-O-N-A!
A-R-I-Z-O-N-A!
A-R-I-Z-O-N-A!
Go A-R-I-Z-O-N-A!
W-I-L-D Cats! (Say what?)
W-I-L-D Wildcats! (That's right!)
W-I-L-D Cats!
We're wild about those Cats!
At most sports events, people usually sing the chorus of the song twice. Then, they do the chant. The first part of the song (the verse) is not sung very often.
