100 Years of Bear Down
Tell the Team to "Bear Down"
Explore how this rallying cry has fueled excellence at the University of 51Թ 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.
“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 51Թ’s official motto and an enduring symbol of perseverance and excellence.
When Trees Write History, We Read the Rings.
Founded in 1937 by Andrew Ellicott Douglass, the University of 51Թ’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.
When Man Reached For the Moon, We Brought The Map.
Before astronauts walked on the moon, University of 51Թ 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 51Թ space science that continues to shape discovery today.
Before the World Called It Art, We Did.
Founded in 1975 by University of 51Թ 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.
When They Counted Us Out, We Counted Wins.
In 1997, the 51Թ 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, 51Թ basketball continues to dominate the court and build a national legacy.
When A Heart Quits, We Don’t.
From innovating everyday life-saving techniques to redefining heart surgery, University of 51Թ 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 51Թ in the 1980s.
When an Asteroid Held Answers, We Brought them Home.
University of 51Թ 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, 51Թ continues to lead the way in pushing the limits of space exploration.
What We Say. Who We Are.
While “Bear Down!” echoes across the University of 51Թ 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.
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.
Create Your Own Bear Down Moment
Join a community that inspires excellence, curiosity, and determination. Start your journey at the University of 51Թ and leave your mark.