Famous University of Arizona alumni include filmmaker Jerry Bruckheimer, NBA star Gilbert Arenas, actress Kristen Wiig, television personality Geraldo Rivera, former presidential candidate Barry M. Goldwater and former American astronaut Richard “Dick” Scobee.

2 “Bear Down”

In the fall of 1926, John Byrd “Button” Salmon was an athlete and the newly installed student body president at the University of Arizona. He was critically injured in a car accident and eventually died from his injuries. The Wildcats football coach, J.F. “Pop” McKale, visited Salmon in the hospital before his passing. McKale said Salmon’s message to his teammates was “Tell them … tell the team to bear down.”

“Bear Down” has become a popular phrase at athletic events and there is even a song, “Bear Down, Arizona.” It’s also painted on the football field at Wildcat Stadium. “Bear Down” actually predates another famous phrase, “Win one for the Gipper” of Notre Dame fame.

3. A fine pair

In 1915, the university purchased a real bobcat to be the first mascot. He was named “Rufus Arizona” but the animal died in 1916 while performing stunts in the limb of tree where he was tied and hung after falling from the tree. Other bobcats followed but in 1959, the first costumed mascot was created, Wilber. In 1986, Wilber met Wilma. The two mascots were actually married before a football game that same year. So the Wildcats have two mascots.

4. History lesson

Arizona began playing football in 1899, more than 125 years ago. The Wildcats joined the WAC (a rival of BYU) in 1962. In 1978, Arizona became a member of the Pac-12 and in 2024 joined the Big 12 when the Pac-12 imploded.

5. They are winning

Arizona has won six conference titles, the last coming in 1993. The Wildcats won a Pac-12 South division title in 2014. Arizona’s bowl record is 10-12-1, including a 24-19 loss to SMU in the 2025 Holiday Bowl.