100 YEARS OF
BEAR DOWN
Explore how “Bear Down” has fueled excellence
at the University of Arizona since 1926
The Spirit. The Legacy. The Call to Keep Going.
In 1926, one student’s tragic passing transformed a moment of loss into a message that still echoes today.
“Bear Down” isn’t just a motto; it’s a call to fight, keep faith, and persevere in every challenge. For 100 years, these two words have inspired Wildcats to push further, dream bigger, and stand together through triumphs and trials alike.
What We Say. Who We Are.
While “Bear Down!” echoes across the University of Arizona campus every day, its meaning has been forged over a century of game-changing discoveries that reshaped disciplines and expanded human understanding. From bold ideas to impossible challenges met head-on, Bear Down is how Wildcats push knowledge forward and redefine what’s possible.
“Tell the Team to Bear Down”
John Byrd “Button” Salmon was the university’s student body president and quarterback, and his enthusiasm, determination, and leadership left a lasting mark. After a car accident in 1926, Salmon’s final words to his teammates – “Tell them…tell the team to bear down” – became a rallying cry for Wildcats. From classrooms to locker rooms, the phrase has inspired generations, becoming the University of Arizona’s official motto and an enduring symbol of perseverance and excellence.
Read About the Legacy
When Trees Write History,
We Read the Rings.
Founded in 1937 by Andrew Ellicott Douglass, the University of Arizona’s Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research formalized the new field of dendrochronology, the scientific study of tree rings. From its Tucson base, LTRR researchers have unlocked Earth’s environmental history, reconstructed past climates, and informed fields from ecology to archaeology. Along the way, Wildcats built one of the world’s most extensive tree-ring collections, transforming wood into a precise record of time and our planet.
Discover Dendrochronology
When Man Reached For the Moon,
We Brought The Map.
Before astronauts walked on the moon, University of Arizona scientists were mapping its surface with unprecedented precision. Led by Gerard P. Kuiper, a team at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory created detailed lunar atlases that guided Apollo 12 and other missions, turning the impossible into reality. With talent, innovation, and relentless dedication, these Wildcats helped NASA land on the moon, changing world history and setting the stage for a legacy of Arizona space science that continues to shape discovery today.
Explore the Breakthrough Science
Before the World Called It Art,
We Did.
Founded in 1975 by University of Arizona President John Schaefer and iconic photographer Ansel Adams, the Center for Creative Photography is a world-class hub for photographic archives, exhibitions, and education. Established before photography was widely considered a fine art, the center is home to millions of photographs and objects from renowned artists like Adams, Louis Carlos Bernal and Pulitzer Prize winner David Hume Kennerly. The CCP preserves history, inspires new generations of artists, and continues to set the standard for photographic research and scholarship.
Explore the CCP
When They Counted Us Out,
We Counted Wins.
In 1997, the Arizona Wildcats defied the odds and etched their name in college basketball history. Led by Lute Olson, the fourth-seeded Wildcats toppled three number-one seeds, culminating in an unforgettable NCAA National Championship win. From nail-biting overtime games to moments of sheer triumph, Arizona basketball continues to dominate the court and build a national legacy.
Relive the Championship
When A Heart Quits,
We Don’t.
From innovating everyday life-saving techniques to redefining heart surgery, University of Arizona researchers have transformed cardiovascular care. Pioneering chest-compression-only CPR, the Sarver Heart Center made it easier and more effective for bystanders to act during cardiac arrest, no mouth-to-mouth necessary. A few years later, U of A surgeons developed the first FDA-approved total artificial heart, giving patients a second chance at life. That breakthrough was decades in the making, built on research and refinement that began at the University of Arizona in the 1980s.
Read How Wildcats Revolutionized CPR
When an Asteroid Held Answers,
We Brought them Home.
University of Arizona scientists didn’t just reach for the stars, they grabbed a piece of outer space. With the OSIRIS-REx mission, Wildcats landed on asteroid Bennu, returned samples to Earth, and uncovered clues about the origins of life. Now, OSIRIS-APEX is headed to asteroid Apophis for another bold mission. With curiosity, precision, and a fearless spirit, Arizona continues to lead the way in pushing the limits of space exploration.
Learn About U of A’s Space Missions
A Century of Bear Down Moments
From groundbreaking discoveries and research to unforgettable victories, Wildcats carry the Bear Down legacy across campus and the world every day. In celebration of 100 years of “Bear Down,” we’re highlighting 100 stories that embody what it means to Bear Down today and into the future.
Bear Down Moment
A Stage Built on Loyalty and Legacy
Dedicated on Feb. 29, 2024, the Craig T. Nelson Stage at the Marroney Theatre honors one of Arizona's most beloved alumni. Years of philanthropic commitment transformed the space and launched a lasting legacy through scholarships and alumni generosity.
Alumni Achievement
Bear Down Moment
From Campus to The Cosmos
Honored in 2026 as the Big 12 Faculty Member of the Year, Regents Professor Marcia Rieke has shaped our understanding of the universe through decades of pioneering space science. As principal investigator of the James Webb Space Telescope's Near Infrared Camera, her leadership in infrared astronomy reflects the University of Arizona's excellence in research, mentorship, and discovery.
Research
Bear Down Moment
From Tucson to the Top of the Game
A University of Arizona standout, Rob Gronkowski rose from Wildcat student-athlete to Super Bowl champion. His career reflects the determination, discipline, and larger-than-life spirit that carried him from campus to the national spotlight.
Alumni Achievement
Bear Down Moment
Honoring Women Who Shaped the World
Dedicated on Sept. 30, 2005, the Women's Plaza of Honor celebrates women's achievements through art, landscape, and story. Built through a decade of community collaboration, it reflects a lasting commitment to inclusion, recognition, and cultural impact.
Community Impact
Bear Down Moment
Indigenous Resilience Through Partnership
Founded in 2014, the Agnese Nelms Haury Program advances tribal resilience, sovereignty, and ways of knowing through research and outreach. Funded by philanthropy and housed within the Arizona Institute for Resilience, it reflects the university's land-grant mission.
Community Impact
Bear Down Moment
The Godfather of Desert Discovery
Dr. Homer L. Shantz, botanist and president of the University of Arizona from 1928 to 1936, advanced arid lands research in the Southwest and helped secure land in 1933 for Saguaro National Monument, which became Saguaro National Park in 1994.
Community Impact
Bear Down Moment
Opening the Universe to Arizona
Opened Dec. 13, 1975, the Flandrau Planetarium brought immersive science education to campus and community. Built on vision and generosity, it unites research, teaching, and public outreach, expanding access to discovery for generations.
Community Impact
Bear Down Moment
Feeding a City's Global Identity
On Dec. 15, 2015, Tucson became the nation's first UNESCO City of Gastronomy, supported by University of Arizona scholars. The Center for Regional Food Studies advances food justice, cultural heritage, and community pride across the region.
Community Impact
Bear Down Moment
Climate Science with Global Consequence
In 2007, University of Arizona researchers contributed to the Nobel Peace Prize-winning IPCC Fourth Assessment Report. Their interdisciplinary leadership strengthened the university's global reputation in climate research and scientific collaboration.
Research
Bear Down Moment
Reimagining a Living Laboratory
On July 1, 2007, the University of Arizona accepted stewardship of Biosphere 2, transforming it into the world's largest lab and controlled experimental ecosystem. The reinvention gives the university an unparalleled platform to advance Earth systems research, while educating the next generation of scientists studying our planet's future.
Research
Bear Down Moment
Turning Evidence into Impact
Founded in 2021, the Arizona Policy Lab connects research with real-world decision-making. Faculty and students collaborate with governments and communities to address urgent social and political challenges through evidence-based solutions.
Research
Bear Down Moment
Stories That Carry Truth Forward
In 2023, Manuel Muñoz earned a MacArthur Fellowship for fiction rooted in rural, working-class life. A first-generation scholar, his work reflects perseverance and the power of storytelling to deepen understanding of the human experience.
Research
Bear Down Moment
Training Scholars to Translate Discovery
Founded in 2011 by Diana Liverman, the Carson Scholars Program equips graduate students across disciplines to communicate research for nonacademic audiences. Supported by the Arizona Institute for Resilience and campus partners, the program has fostered over 200 scholars who advance science, policy, and public understanding.
Research
Bear Down Moment
A National Leader in Serving Veterans
Established in 2008, the VETS Center builds on a military legacy dating to 1891. Created through student feedback, it supports veterans' academic and personal success while fostering community and belonging. The University of Arizona is consistently recognized as one of the nation's best universities for service members and veterans – most recently ranking No. 4 overall and No.3 among public universities in the Military Times "Best for Vets" Colleges list – and VETS plays a central role in that achievement by helping military-connected students transition, thrive, and graduate.
Student Success
Bear Down Moment
Breaking Barriers, Winning Titles
In 2025, the University of Arizona Men's Wheelchair Basketball team captured the program's first national championship. A cornerstone of the Adaptive Athletics Program — the largest collegiate adaptive sports community in the country — Arizona's seven competitive teams have sent more than 50 athletes to the Paralympics.
Community Impact
Bear Down Moment
Pride, Perfected Over Generations
In 2024, the Pride of Arizona Marching Band received the Sudler Trophy, the highest honor in collegiate marching. More than a century of excellence and perseverance culminated in national recognition.
Student Success
Bear Down Moment
Translating Discovery for the World
Founded in 2011, the Carson Scholars Program trains graduate students to communicate research beyond academia. Supporting more than 200 scholars, it connects discovery, storytelling, and public understanding across disciplines.
Student Success
Bear Down Moment
Working in Service of Indigenous Scholarship
Beginning in 1982, the University of Arizona established the nation's first master's and doctoral programs in American Indian Studies. These degrees reflect a long-standing commitment to Indigenous education and leadership.
Student Success
Bear Down Moment
A Long-Held Dream, Realized
Launched in 2019, Arizona's first public College of Veterinary Medicine opened amid challenge and uncertainty. Its innovative three-year program addresses workforce shortages while expanding in-state access to veterinary education.
University Milestone
Bear Down Moment
Medicine Embraces A New Approach
Founded in 1994 by Dr. Andrew Weil, the Integrative Medicine Program challenged convention by treating the whole patient. What began in a small trailer grew into a global model for modern health care.
University Milestone
Bear Down Moment
Where Strength Meets Artistry
Completed in 2003, the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre set a new standard for dance education. Its award-winning design and demanding performances highlight strength, precision, and artistic excellence in motion. The University of Arizona's Dance program ranked No. 2 among all public universities in 2026.
University Milestone
Bear Down Moment
Turning Vision into an Innovation Engine
Founded in 1994 with the purchase of a former IBM campus, UA Tech Park became a cornerstone of university-industry collaboration. Today, its multibillion-dollar impact helps drive Arizona's innovation economy.
University Milestone
Bear Down Moment
Powering Campus with Purpose
Beginning in 2021, the University of Arizona transitioned its Tucson campus to 100% renewable electricity through a landmark utility partnership. The shift significantly reduced emissions and set a new standard for institutional sustainability.
University Milestone
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