Why does Arizona say 'Bear Down'? Meaning of slogan with Wildcats in Final Four
You'll hear Arizona fans chanting Bear Down during the Final Four. Understand the origin of the slogan.
INDIANAPOLIS — Arizona is out to Bear Down at the 2026 Final Four . The Wildcats are back on the biggest stage in college basketball, breaking a 25-year drought to reach the national semifinals. It's been a remarkable ride, winning the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles to earn a No.
1 seed in March Madness. Arizona hasn't slowed down since then, winning every game by double-digits to make it to Lucas Oil Stadium. With Arizona having one of its most successful seasons in decades and two wins from its first national title since 1997, fans will sure be rallying around its most famous chant: Bear Down.
People may be hearing it for the first time and may be confused about why the Wildcats are chanting about bears, but it holds a special meaning for Arizona, with a story that is 100 years old. Why does Arizona say ‘Bear Down’? Bear Down came from a tragedy.
In 1926, John Byrd “Button” Salmon was a star on campus as the student body president, member of several honor societies, football quarterback and baseball catcher, according to Arizona . That October after the varsity team beat the freshman squad, Salmon returning from a trip to Phoenix with friends when he was in their car crashed and rolled over, leaving him "critically injured. " He was paralyzed below his second rib and his spine was shattered.