Arizona Athletics: Five Things Wildcat Fans Must Do
By David Rosen
No. 2 – Take part in Arizona Wildcat traditions
We have covered this before with Zona Zealots, but figured this would be a good time to remind Wildcat fans of the traditions to take part in. These make each universities across the nation different and Arizona has many of their own to take part in: touching the John ‘Button’ Salmon statue outside the Arizona Stadium, taking part in the Wildcat walk and in-game traditions.
The John “Button” Salmon statue, honoring the man and origin of ‘Bear Down’, was previously outside McKale Center before being moved outside the football stadium in 2013. As a tradition, players will touch the statue as part of the ‘Wildcat Walk’ to honor the legend and the ‘Bear Down’ mantra that carries on today. Have some free time before a game and need to channel some of that ‘Bear Down’ energy, swing on by and touch the statue!
One of the newer traditions, the Wildcat Walk, started in 2010, and gives Wildcat fans a chance to welcome their football team as they walk along Cherry Avenue and head into the stadium prior to the start of the game. Mascots, marching bands, fans wearing their red and blue, this is the place to be on Game Day!
Looking for other traditions, look no further. There are plenty of traditions to take part in during the actual games, and at basketball games is perhaps the best. Fans in attendance will stand until the other team makes their first basket or jingle those keys during the kick-off at the football game just to name a few. Most importantly, the number one tradition is to wear Arizona red and blue at all times!