The University of Arizona Wildcats Official Athletic Site - Traditions
A timeline of Arizona Football History
1921 October 18, 1926 October 12,1929 1930 1933-37 1941 1947 1953 1954 1955 1958 1961 1974-75 1978 1980-83 1982-83 1982-85 1986 1987 1990 1991-94 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1998 1998 1999
1913-14 1921-24 1925 1926 1927 1942-44 1946 1947 1949 1951 1945-51 1954 1960 1961 1965 1972 1973 1975 1976 1977 1983-84 1985 1986 1988 1989 1987-92 1993 1994 1995 1996 1996 1997 1998 1999 1904 1915 1916 1919 1924 1926 1930 1933 1933 1940 1942 1950 1950 1954 1956 1957 1959 1960 1962 1963 1965 1965 1967 1971 1973 1974 1976 1979 1980 1984 1986 1986 1986 1986 1987 1989 1993 1996 1997
The Story of "Bear Down"
Timeline of Football History
Timeline of Baseball History
Timeline of Basketball History
Photo Gallery of Sports History
Drop-kicker/receiver Harold "Nosey" McClellan leads the nation in
scoring with 124 points. Wildcats finish the regular season 7-1, are invited to
UA's first bowl game, the East-West Christmas Classic in San Diego, to play
powerhouse Centre College of Kentucky.
UA quarterback and student body president John "Button" Salmon dies
from injuries sustained in a car wreck. His final words, spoken to coach
"Pop" McKale, are: "Tell them.....tell the team to Bear
Down." Soon thereafter, the UA student body adopts "Bear Down" as
the school's athletic motto.
Arizona Stadium opens. In the official stadium dedication game, Arizona beats
Cal Tech 35-0.
Bill "The Eel" Hargis becomes the first Wildcat to rush for 1,000
yards in a season.
Coach Gerald "Tex" Oliver's "Blue Brigade" plays an
expanded, more nationwide schedule, compiles a record of 31-11-4, and produces
UA's first All-Americans: halfback Ted Bland (1935), fullback Walt Nielson (1937), and center Tom Greenfield (1938). The team's 1938 record of 8-2 was a
school best to date.
UA leads the nation in passing offense, and end Hank "Birdlegs"
Stanton leads the nation in pass receiving and is named All-America.
Quarterback Fred W. Enke leads the nation in total offense.
In its first televised game, broadcast statewide, UA beats Arizona State 35-0.
In his first game as starting halfback, sophomore Art Luppino rushes for 228
yards on only six carries and scores 32 points. He goes on to lead the nation in
rushing, scoring, all-purpose running, and kickoff returns.
Art Luppino becomes the first player in NCAA history to lead the nation in
rushing twice. He also ties for the national title in all-purpose running and is
third in scoring.
Dave "The Roadrunner" Hibbert leads the nation in pass receiving.
Coached by Jim LaRue and led by quarterback Eddie Wilson and "Touchdown
Twins" Bobby Lee "The General" Thompson and
"Jackrabbit" Joe Hernandez, Arizona compiles a record of 8-1-1, UA's
best to date, and breaks into the National Top 20 for the first time.
Coach Jim Young's Wildcats compile back-to-back 9-2 seasons, UA's first nine-win
campaigns. Receiver Theopolis "T" Bell is named All-America and
fullback Jim Upchurch becomes the second Wildcat to rush for 1,000 yards for two
consecutive seasons.
Arizona enters the Pacific-10 Conference.
Tom Tunnicliffe shatters UA career records for passing and total offense.
Linebacker Ricky Hunley becomes UA's first consensus All-American, an honor he
receives two consecutive years.
Place-kicker Max Zendejas breaks Art Luppino's career scoring record.
Coached by Larry Smith and led by 1,000yd. rusher David Adams, Arizona finishes
9-3, defeating North Carolina in the Aloha Bowl.
Defensive back Chuck Cecil receives consensus All-America, Academic All-America,
and NCAA Top Six honors.
All-American Darryll Lewis wins the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best
defensive back.
Ontiwaun Carter breaks Art Luppino's career rushing record.
Arizona's "Desert Swarm"defense is born. UA leads the nation in
scoring defense and nose guard Rob Waldrop is a consensus All-American.
"Desert Swarm" leads the nation in rushing defense and achieves its
first 10-victory season, defeating Miami 29-0 in the Fiesta Bowl. Rob Waldrop is
named UPI Lineman of the Year, FWAA Outstanding Defensive Player, Outland Trophy
winner, and unanimous All-American.
Steve McLaughlin wins the Lou Groza Award as the nation's best place-kicker.
Defensive lineman Tedy Bruschi is named Unanimous All-America.
Center Wayne Wyatt earns National Football Foundation/Hall of Fame
Scholar-Athlete honors and is UA's 13th football Academic All-American
Former linebacker Ricky Hunley becomes UA's first College Football Hall of Fame
inductee.
Arizona wins 12 games, beats Nebraska 23-20 in the Holiday Bowl and finishes
ranked number four in the country, its highest ranking ever. Consensus
All-America Chris McAllister wins the Tatupu Award as the nation's best special
teams player.
Former coach Jim Young becomes UA's first coach inducted into the College
Football Hall of Fame.
A timeline of Arizona Basketball History
First season with intercollegiate opponent; games played in Herring Hall
Harold Tovrea sets season and career scoring records that lasts for decades
Fred Enke begins 36-year tenure as UA head coach
UA Gymnasium and Armory opens
"Bear Down" is painted on gymnasium roof; gym becomes known as Bear Down Gym
Bear Down Gym becomes "U.S.S. Bear Down." U.S. Naval training facility; UA plays at Tucson High School.
UA goes 25-5, wins Border Conference, goes to 8-team NIT in New York City.
UA wins Border Conference, goes to NCAA Tournament for the first time. Linc Richmond becomes the first to score 400 points in a season.
Linc Richmond becomes first to score 1,000 points in a career (1,246 total).
UA goes 22-6, wins Border Conference, goes to NIT and NCAA Tournament. Roger Johnson is 1st to receive All-America Honors (3rd Team).
UA wins 81 consecutive games in BEar Down Gym.
Hadie Redd becomes UA's 1st African American basketball player.
Ernie McCray becomes 1st to score 500 points in a season and passes Richmond as career scoring leader (1,349).
Fred Enke retires with 512 college basketball wins, 11 Border Conference titles. UA alum Bruce Larson becomes head coach.
Warren Rustand becomes 1st Academic All-American (2nd team).
Fred Snowden becomes head coach, 1st African American head coach in Division I basketball. "Kiddie Korps" promptly reverses UA fortunes.
McKale Center opens
UA goes 22-7, finishes 2nd in 1st (and only) National Commissioner Invitational Tournament. Bob Elliott becomes 1st to score 600 points in a season, is named Academic All-America (and All-WAC).
UA wins WAC title, goes to NCAA Sweet 16 for 1st time, Bob Elliott is 3rd Team All-America, 1st Team Academic All America (and All-WAC).
Bob Elliott is 1st to score 2,000 points in a career, is All-WAC, 3rd Team All-America, and 1st Team Academic All-America.
Lute Olson becomes UA's 11th head coach.
UA wins 21 games in Olson's 2nd season, returns to NCAA Tournament.
UA wins first Pac-10 title: Olson is Pac-10 Coach of the Year.
UA goes 35-3, attains 1st #1 national ranking, wins Pac-10 title, goes to 1st NCAA Final Four. Sean Elliott and Steve Kerr named All-America, Kerr is named most Courageous Athlete in America. Olson is Pac-10 Coach of the Year, and Elliott makes All Final Four Team.
UA goes 29-4, wins Pac-10 title, goes to NCAA Sweet 16. Sean Elliott is Consensus All-America and NCAA Player of the Year. Olson is Pac-10 Coach of the Year.
UA wins 71 consecutive home games, 10th longest in NCAA.
UA goes 24-4, wins Pac-10 title. Chris Mills is named All America. Olson is Pac-10 coach of the year.
UA goes 29-6, wins Pac-10 title, goes to 2nd NCAA Final Four. Khalid Reeves is 1st Team All-America, Olson is Pac-10 Coach of the Year.
UA goes 24-7, Damon Stoudamire is names Consensus All-America.
Sean Elliott's jersey is retired.
UA goes 27-6, advances to NCAA Sweet 16; Olson gains 300th UA win and 500th career victory.
UA goes 25-9, comes back from 5th place Pac-10 finish to win its 1st NCAA National Championship. Miles Simon is Final Four MVP, Mike Bibby also makes All Final Four Team.
UA goes 30-5, wins Pac-1o title, advances to Great Eight. Mike Bibby is Consensus All-America, Miles Simon makes 1st Team. Olson is Pac-10 Coach of the Year.
Steve Kerr's jersey is retired.
A timeline of Arizona Baseball History
First official baseball season; UA goes 6-1 under coach B.L. Cosgrave.
J.F. McKale begins 33-year tenure as UA head coach.
Asa Porter throws first no-hitter vs. Tempe Normal, 5-1, striking out 14.
UA plays Major League World Series Champs Chicago Cubs. They lose only 7-3 behind pitcher
A.L. Slonaker.
Cliff "Chick" Morefield throws 5-0 no-hitter VS. Arizona State.
Catcher John "Button" Salmon's clutch two-base hit beats USC; Salmon is elected Student Body President soon afterward. Hit becomes known as "the 200 vote double."
UA begins play in new stadium east of Bear Down Gym.
Outfielder Hank Lieber becomes 1st UA player to reach major leagues (Chicago Cubs); plays 10 years and in three all-star
games
UA goes 8-6, begins 48-season winning streak.
In UA's first night game, played at Hi Corbett Field, Ken Heist fans 21 New Mexico hitters, wins 8-0.
UA goes 18-1, is considered unofficial champion of the Southwest.
UA alum Frank Sancet begins 22-year tenure as head coach. UA goes 28-6, finishes 2nd in NCAA District 6 playoff.
Catcher Bob Murray becomes UA's 1st All American (1st Team).
UA goes 40-9, wins District 6, goes to College World Series for first time--first of three consecutive appearances.
Carl Thomas becomes only player in NCAA history to throw back-to-back no-hitters (ASU 7-0, UCLA 10-0). UA begins season with 25 straight wins, finishes 49-8, winning District 6 and finishing 2nd at College World Series. Thomas and pitcher Don Lee are All-America.
Marty Hurd leads nation in batting average (.473).
UA goes 39-10, wins District 6, finishes 2nd at College World Series. Alan Hall and Matt Encinas are All-America.
UA goes 43-9, wins District 6, finishes 3rd at College World Series; Jim Ward sets CWS record by fanning 16 in 2-1 win over Oklahoma State.
UA is ranked #1 in nation for t11e 1st time, goes 40-8. Dan Schneider leads nation in wins (13).
UA begins play as a member of the WAC, wins conference and District 7, finishes 2nd at CWS. Ron Theobald (2b) is All-America.
All-American Eddie Leon leads nation in triples and RBIs.
John Fouse leads nation with 12-2 record. 6 shutouts.
Wildcat Field, east of Arizona Stadium, opens-- without lights; night games played at Hi Corbett Field unti1 1975.
Les Lisowski no-hits Northern Colorado
Jerry Kindall begins 23-year tenure as head coach. Frank Sancet retires as all-time college leader in wins (835-282-8).
UA posts best record ever at UA-58-6. Ron Hassey sets school record of 86 RBIs.
UA goes 56-17, wins Midwest Regional, beats E. Michigan 7-1 for 1st CWS title. Dave Stegman is 1st Team All-America, Steve Powers is CWS MVP. Stegman leads nation in doubles (30).
UA begins play in Pac-10 Southern Division ("Six Pac"), goes 43-25, wins Midwest Regional. Returns to CWS.
UA goes 45-21-1, ties Cal for 6-Pac title, wins West Regional, beats Hawaii 5-3 for 2nd CWS title. Terry Francona is 1st Team All-America and 6-Pac and National Player of the Year. Kindall is 6-Pac and National Coach of the Year.
Joe Magrane no-hits Cal-State Fullerton.
Wildcat Field is renamed Frank Sancet Field.
UA goes 49-19, wins Central Regional, beats Florida State 10-2 for 3rd CWS title. Mike Senne is CWS MVP and Kindall is National Coach of the Year.
Gil Heredia sets UA season records for starts (22) and wins (16). Todd Trafton sets school record with 44 extra base lilts; Chuck Johnson leads nation in triples (10).
In UA's first CWS game vs. Maine, pinch-hitter Dave Shennet, in Iris only CWS appearance, hits a 2-out, two-strike, two-run home run in the bottom of ninth for an 8-7 victory: One of the single most dramatic moments in UA athletic history.
Chip Hale finishes UA career having started all 255 games during his tenure.
Scott Erickson sets UA school record with 18 wins: he and catcher Alan Zinter, who ties school record of 18 HRs and leads 6-Pac with 81 RBIs, are 1st Team All-America.
Pitcher Tod Brown appears in 35 games to shatter UA record. George Arias sets new UA record with 23 HR. Jason Thompson hits 20 for 2nd place as UA sets school record of 115 HR and leads the nation in runs scored.
Jerry Kindall retires as 2nd UA head coach to record 800 wins (860-580-6).
Fomer UA All American Jerry Stitt becomes UA Head Coach.
