UA Fight Song, "Bear Down Arizona"
Collection area: University of Arizona
Collection dates: 1952
Original manuscript for "Bear Down, Arizona" fight song. Longtime University of Arizona band director Jack K. Lee wrote the lyrics and arrangement after his interview for the position of band director, while his flight passed over Bear Down Gym on its departure from Tucson International Airport. The manuscript is written in pencil on an air sickness bag. The first official public performance of the song was September 20, 1952 during an "A Day" pep rally. The song instantly became a favorite of students and Tucsonans alike, elevating it to tradition status.
Jack Kennth Lee was born in Akron, Ohio on February 11, 1921. He graduated from The Ohio State University and served in World War II. He worked at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor as the Assistant Marching Band Director from 1947-1951 before he was hired as the Director of Bands at the University of Arizona in 1952. He was the Director of Bands until 1980. He died on December 23, 2005.
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