University of Arizona - Desert Yearbook (Tucson, AZ)

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nnuuunnn-mu ew 'akgwm -3-

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ore ocl Every school develops its own traditions - a covered walk, a senior ritual, a slogan - something for underclassmen to enjoy, for graduates to remember. The DESERT staff wants to keep those traditions pres- ent in the minds of the Class of 1954, and so in this book it has tried to gather the feelings and the spirit that are Arizona. The cover depicts the A blanket, traditional award for outstanding service to the Uni- versity. The A is picked up, repeated and revised as it expresses the feeling of each of the seven divisions. Traditional campus activities and events are pictured to introduce each subdivision. And Arizonais traditional mascot, the lVildcat created by Bob lVhite C,49j, keeps itself busy changing guise as it jumps from one page to the next. The staff hopes the 1954 DESERT will help Arizona,s graduates remember their school and its traditions, and most especially the traditions shown here, the best loved of them all. In the words of the Students' Handbook: The University of Arizona's most memorable athletic tradition is the slogan Bear Down, given to WVildcat teams by John But- ton Salmon, president of the student body and varsity football quarterback and baseball catcher, shortly before he died in 1926 following an automobile accident that occurred during the gridiron season of that year. Button Salmon's last message to his team- mates, spoken to J. F. McKale, athletic director, was Tell them to bear down. The term Bear Down is painted in large block letters atop the men's gymnasilun. -2-

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dicotion who has done more than any other person to make the uBear Downv tradition live again. jack Lee came to Arizona just two years ago as director of the band and a member of the faculty of the Fine Arts College. The Universityis band had reached a low point in spirit and enthusiasm, but Mr. Lee came determined to build one of the finest marching bands in the Westf, From the University of Michigan where he had been assistant conductor and drillmaster for what has been called the finest collegiate marching band, Mr. Lee brought a new, fast-paced and crowd-pleasing marching system. But this method wasnt the only new thing he brought. Mr. Lee had read about the 6Bear Downu tradition and long before he had reached the campus had written words and music for a new fight song. Its intro- duction September 18, 1952, brought a rejuvenation of school enthusi- asm and a near miraculous spirit to the band, until now it well upholds its motto, 'iThe Best Band in the West. The University is grateful, jack, for the rebirth of a great tradition and for Bear Down, Arizonaf, Bear Down, Arizona, Bear Down, Red and Blue, Bear Down, Arizona, Hit 'em hard, let 'em know who's who. Bear Down, Arizona, Bear Down, Red and Blue. Go, Go, Wildcats, Go! Arizona, Bear Down. -4-