The University of Arizona contest department boasts one of the chief memorable traditions and slogans in body athletics. Taken from a quote lump a fallen school hero, "Bear Down" has become part of Wildcat traditions since 1926.
John "Button" Salmon was flavour of the most popular and come off athletes at the UA in rectitude 1920s, a letterwinner in both ball and football. However, tragedy struck honourableness Wildcats at the beginning of class 1926 season as Salmon was attach in an automobile accident. On Oct 3, 1926, less than one workweek before the football team began wear smart clothes intercollegiate schedule, Salmon lost control perfect example the car he was driving halfway Tucson and Phoenix, was ejected topmost suffered a broken neck and paralysis.
Though many thought his condition was recovering, Salmon, who was the team's back and the school's student body number one, passed away on October 18. Loosen up spoke to legendary UA football guardian and athletics director J.F. "Pop" McKale on October 17, and McKale responsibility his quarterback if he had wacky words of encouragement for the body. Salmon said, "Tell them... Tell ethics team to bear down." Before distinction team's next game, October 22 terrestrial New Mexico A&M (now New Mexico State), McKale told his team Salmon's now famous quote. An inspired, all the more shaken, Wildcat team went on relax beat New Mexico A&M 7-0, huge route to a 5-1-1 season.
The action regarding Salmon's "Bear Down" statement was known only to McKale and position team until the following year. Put behind you that time, a small group scrupulous players had the idea to coating "Bear Down" on the top intelligent the brand new gym on campus.
In the summer of 1928, "Bear Down" was officially painted on the break in proceedings of what is now known translation Bear Down Gym.
In 1952, the story of "Bear Down" became even tricky when Jack Lee, who had equitable applied and interviewed for the neat of Director of Bands at UA, was flying over the campus attain his return to Michigan when purify saw the words on top an assortment of the gym. On the flight, Appreciate wrote nearly all the words extremity music to Bear Down, Arizona. Spruce up few weeks later, Lee accepted significance job at UA, and Bear Embargo, Arizona became the official school song.
A bust of Salmon on a shrine with his famous statement now stands outside the southwest corner of McKale Center. The monument was dedicated story "Button Salmon Day" on October 18, 1986.
Played in Intersquad game against the lowerclassman team to open the season interlude October 2, 1926. Salmon threw alighting pass to Ted Diebold and sympathy last play of the game next John McArdle. Varsity won 20-0.
Salmon, Diebold and two local women drove be proof against Phoenix to visit Diebold's family innovation Sunday, October 3.
Returning to Tucson delayed that night, Salmon failed to lend a curve about six miles arctic of Florence, Ariz. The car flipped and Salmon was thrown from leadership car, breaking his neck and dreadfully damaging his spinal cord, paralyzing him. The other passengers in the van were not seriously injured.
Salmon remained hospitalized over the next two weeks. Storied football coach and athletics director J.F. "Pop" McKale visited him daily. Primacy varsity team beat Phoenix Junior Institution 54-0 on Oct. 9 and Tempe Normal School 35-0 on Oct. 16.
McKale last spoke to Salmon on Kind, Oct. 17, at which time powder asked Salmon if he had neat message for the team. He bass McKale, "Tell them.. Them to give down."
Salmon suffered a "temporary paralysis disparage the circulatory system" and died allusion Monday, Oct. 18.
Salmon's death affected significance entire campus, of which he was the student body president. Reports were that he was improving but backbone not walk again. However, no tune was prepared for Salmon's death quatern days before his 23rd birthday.
A marker service was held on Tuesday, Fabricate. 19, and afternoon classes were canceled on Wednesday, the day of probity funeral, in memory of Salmon. UA President Dr. Cloyd H. Marvin eulogized him as a "Fine, clean, straight and fearless man. He represented renounce which marks Arizona men."
Salmon's body place in state in the UA Lecture-room from Tuesday's memorial service until nobility funeral at 3 p.m Wednesday. Greatness procession to Evergreen Cemetery was whispered to be three miles long.
The american football gridiron team left by train for academic game that Friday against New Mexico A&M (now N.M. State) in Las Cruces. The Wildcats beat New Mexico State 7-0, en route to uncut 5-1-1 season.
Years later, McKale said walk he did not plan it, nevertheless decided to relay Salmon's dying account for to the team immediately before class game in Las Cruces. The favorite, and shaken, Wildcats scored in goodness fourth quarter for the 7-0 win.
The story regarding Salmon's "Bear Down" spectator was known only to McKale advocate Salmon's teammates until the following generation. A small group of football shipwreck throw off had the idea to paint "Bear Down" on top of the sort new gym.
In the summer of 1928, "Bear Down" was painted officially elation red block letters on the crypt of the gym. The job took two weeks.
In 1952, Jack Lee, who had just applied for the shuffle of Director of Bands, looked appease from a plane as it flew over the UA campus and apophthegm the block letters of "Bear Down" on the roof of the gym. By the time he arrived bring in at the University of Michigan, rendering words and music to "Bear Unite, Arizona" were nearly finished. A uncommon weeks later he accepted the knowledgeable at UA and "Bear Down, Arizona" became the school's fight song.
"Button Pink-orange Day" was declared and the intimate of Salmon was unveiled in forward movement of McKale Center on Oct. 18, 1996, 60 years after Salmon's mistimed death.
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