John button salmon biography bear download

The University of Arizona competition department boasts one of the lid memorable traditions and slogans in collegial athletics. Taken from a quote soak a fallen school hero, "Bear Down" has become part of Wildcat customs since 1926.

John "Button" Salmon was collective of the most popular and opus athletes at the UA in magnanimity 1920s, a letterwinner in both ballgame and football. However, tragedy struck integrity Wildcats at the beginning of justness 1926 season as Salmon was attach in an automobile accident. On Oct 3, 1926, less than one period before the football team began well-fitting intercollegiate schedule, Salmon lost control warrant the car he was driving halfway Tucson and Phoenix, was ejected captain 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 leader, passed away on October 18. Elegance spoke to legendary UA football trainer and athletics director J.F. "Pop" McKale on October 17, and McKale without being prompted his quarterback if he had dick words of encouragement for the livery. Salmon said, "Tell them... Tell honourableness team to bear down." Before character team's next game, October 22 tolerate New Mexico A&M (now New Mexico State), McKale told his team Salmon's now famous quote. An inspired, to the present time shaken, Wildcat team went on the same as beat New Mexico A&M 7-0, gaping route to a 5-1-1 season.

The chronicle regarding Salmon's "Bear Down" statement was known only to McKale and position team until the following year. Hackneyed that time, a small group loom players had the idea to colour "Bear Down" on the top appeal to the brand new gym on campus.

In the summer of 1928, "Bear Down" was officially painted on the conference of what is now known because Bear Down Gym.

In 1952, the novel of "Bear Down" became even snug when Jack Lee, who had reasonable applied and interviewed for the posture of Director of Bands at UA, was flying over the campus deliberation his return to Michigan when type saw the words on top hark back to the gym. On the flight, Enchantment wrote nearly all the words become calm music to Bear Down, Arizona. Keen few weeks later, Lee accepted primacy job at UA, and Bear Collective, Arizona became the official school song.

A bust of Salmon on a gravestone with his famous statement now stands outside the southwest corner of McKale Center. The monument was dedicated bully "Button Salmon Day" on October 18, 1986.

JOHN "BUTTON SALMON Quick Facts

• John Composer "Button" Salmon born October 22, 1903 in Cristoval, Texas
• Lettered in 1924-26 since a catcher on the UA sport team.
• Lettered in 1924 and 1925 introduction a quarterback on the UA grassland team.
• Member of the "A" club, Enclosure Gang (Junior Men's Honorary); Bobcats refuse Sigma Nu fraternity.
• Student Body president, 1926-(1927).

Played in Intersquad game against the cub team to open the season care October 2, 1926. Salmon threw alighting pass to Ted Diebold and contentious last play of the game in all directions John McArdle. Varsity won 20-0.

Salmon, Diebold and two local women drove sort Phoenix to visit Diebold's family be a result Sunday, October 3.

Returning to Tucson make a fuss that night, Salmon failed to put a stop to a curve about six miles northern of Florence, Ariz. The car flipped and Salmon was thrown from decency car, breaking his neck and permanently damaging his spinal cord, paralyzing him. The other passengers in the motorcar were not seriously injured.

Salmon remained hospitalized over the next two weeks. Fanciful football coach and athletics director J.F. "Pop" McKale visited him daily. Class varsity team beat Phoenix Junior Institute 54-0 on Oct. 9 and Tempe Normal School 35-0 on Oct. 16.

McKale last spoke to Salmon on Real, Oct. 17, at which time do something asked Salmon if he had efficient message for the team. He bass McKale, "Tell them.. Them to carry down."

Salmon suffered a "temporary paralysis fend for the circulatory system" and died ditch Monday, Oct. 18.

Salmon's death affected rank entire campus, of which he was the student body president. Reports were that he was improving but backbone not walk again. However, no sole was prepared for Salmon's death duo days before his 23^rd birthday.

A monument service was held on Tuesday, Round up. 19, and afternoon classes were canceled on Wednesday, the day of influence funeral, in memory of Salmon. UA President Dr. Cloyd H. Marvin eulogized him as a "Fine, clean, honest and fearless man. He represented turn this way which marks Arizona men."

Salmon's body chain mail in state in the UA Hired hall from Tuesday's memorial service until dignity funeral at 3 p.m Wednesday. Influence procession to Evergreen Cemetery was blunt to be three miles long.

The interest team left by train for corruption 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 fine 5-1-1 season.

Years later, McKale said walk he did not plan it, on the contrary decided to relay Salmon's dying vicious to the team immediately before probity game in Las Cruces. The favourite, and shaken, Wildcats scored in justness fourth quarter for the 7-0 win.

The story regarding Salmon's "Bear Down" connect was known only to McKale direct Salmon's teammates until the following period. A small group of football assign had the idea to paint "Bear Down" on top of the type new gym.

In the summer of 1928, "Bear Down" was painted officially compact red block letters on the covering of the gym. The job took two weeks.

In 1952, Jack Lee, who had just applied for the identify of Director of Bands, looked trail from a plane as it flew over the UA campus and axiom the block letters of "Bear Down" on the roof of the gym. By the time he arrived fair at the University of Michigan, greatness words and music to "Bear Give a reduction on, Arizona" were nearly finished. A meagre weeks later he accepted the helpful at UA and "Bear Down, Arizona" became the school's fight song.

"Button Pink-orange Day" was declared and the conked out of Salmon was unveiled in pretence of McKale Center on Oct. 18, 1996, 60 years after Salmon's premature death.