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“TELL THE TEAM TO
BEAR DOWN”

THE BEAR DOWN ORIGIN STORY

Campus at sunrise

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.

John Button Salmon Read About the Legacy

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.

Discover More Bear Down Moments

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

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

Research

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

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

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-gr

Community Impact

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

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

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

Create Your Own Bear  
Down Moment

Join a community that inspires excellence, curiosity, and determination. Start your journey at the University of Arizona and leave your mark.

Apply to the University of Arizona