History
1928: Groundbreaking
Stadium construction began in December 1928.
Checked 2026-10-23 · Sources: Arizona History — official source
2026109 roster entriesSnapshot: 2026-10-02
College player coverage. Explore dated rosters and player details for 266 FBS and FCS programs. Every saved roster entry has a dated summary. Selected profiles include additional official-source background. Coverage varies by school; coaching backgrounds, program history and FAQs are still being expanded. Please check source dates and confirm changes with the schools. Division II, Division III and NAIA directories are not yet included.
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History
1929: Opening
Arizona first played here on October 12, 1929.
Checked 2026-10-23 · Sources: Arizona History — official source
History
1931: Night football
The first night game was played in September 1931.
Checked 2026-10-23 · Sources: Arizona History — official source
History
1938: East stands
An east-side addition supplied 3,000 seats in 1938.
Checked 2026-10-23 · Sources: Arizona History — official source
History
1950: Horseshoe
The south horseshoe was completed in 1950.
Checked 2026-10-23 · Sources: Arizona History — official source
History
1965: West expansion
The west side gained 10,000 seats in 1965.
Checked 2026-10-23 · Sources: Arizona History — official source
History
1976: Upper tier
A two-tier east-side addition opened in 1976.
Checked 2026-10-23 · Sources: Arizona History — official source
History
1899: Intercollegiate football begins
Arizona played its first intercollegiate football game against Tempe Normal School on Thanksgiving Day 1899. The opponent later became Arizona State; Tempe won 11-2.
Checked 2026-10-31 · Sources: A look at Wildcat history from the University's founding up to Homecoming 2021 | University of Arizona News
History
1914: The Wildcats name takes hold
Reporting on the Occidental game inspired the Wildcats nickname in 1914. Arizona then beat Pomona 7-6 in its first Homecoming football game that year.
Checked 2026-10-31 · Sources: A look at Wildcat history from the University's founding up to Homecoming 2021 | University of Arizona News
History
1926: The message behind Bear Down
Quarterback, baseball catcher and student body president John “Button” Salmon died in October 1926. His final message to coach Pop McKale urged his teammates to bear down; the student body adopted the slogan the following year.
Checked 2026-10-31 · Sources: The University of Arizona Wildcats Official Athletic Site - Traditions - University of Arizona Athletics
History
Conference history: Border, WAC, Pac-12 and Big 12
Arizona Athletics records Border Conference membership from 1931 to 1962, followed by the Western Athletic Conference through 1978. The Wildcats entered the Pac-12 lineage in 1978 and joined the Big 12 in 2024.
Checked 2026-10-31 · Sources: History of Arizona Athletics - University of Arizona Athletics
History
1899: The Territorial Cup rivalry begins
The original Territorial Cup dates to the 1899 Arizona–Tempe game. Other awards later served the rivalry before the schools renewed attention to the original trophy; its oldest-rivalry-trophy designation was recognized in 2001.
Checked 2026-10-31 · Sources: Territorial Cup - University of Arizona Athletics
History
1885–1891: A territorial university takes shape
The territorial legislature approved $25,000 for a university in Tucson in 1885. The first classes met in Old Main in 1891, with 32 students and six teachers.
Checked 2026-10-31 · Sources: A Short History of Graduate Education at The University of Arizona | Graduate College
History
1993: A Fiesta Bowl shutout
Dick Tomey’s 1993 Wildcats finished 10-2. Their season ended with a 29-0 Fiesta Bowl victory over Miami and a No. 10 finish in the final Associated Press poll.
Checked 2026-10-31 · Sources: Arizona Football to Name Outdoor Practice Fields After Dick Tomey - University of Arizona Athletics
History
1998: Twelve wins and a top-five finish
Arizona won 12 games in 1998 under Dick Tomey and finished No. 4 in the Associated Press poll. The school’s 2019 tribute identifies that season as a high point of his Arizona tenure.
Checked 2026-10-31 · Sources: Arizona Football to Name Outdoor Practice Fields After Dick Tomey - University of Arizona Athletics
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