Skip to main content
A historic image of the Bear Down Gym. 'A' Mountain and downtown Tucson are visible in the background.

Bear Down Gym

One of several campus buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, Bear Down Gym has undergone many changes since its completion in 1926 and remains an important symbol of both the school’s past and its ability to keep pace with the present.

A historic black-and-white image of the original Bear Down Gym on the University of Arizona campus.

Wildcat Basketball HQ

Designed by Old Main architect Roy Place, Bear Down served many functions in its early years, including as a place to register for classes and a hall for hosting dances. The last game was played there in 1973, when basketball team moved over to the then-new — and significantly bigger, and air-conditioned — McKale Memorial Center.

A historic black-and-white image of the inside of Bear Down Gym. Players are seen on the court, resting in what appears to be a timeout. The words "DEDICATION OF THE GYMNASIUM Tempe Teachers vs. Arizona January, 1927".

After McKale

After a long period serving various office and administrative functions (its court was covered up by carpet squares), Bear Down Gym underwent yet another transformation, restoring the building’s historic elements while integrating a new three-story steel structure combining new offices, study areas and student support spaces.

A present-day image of the front of the Bear Down Gym on the University of Arizona campus. Two students are seen walking by the front steps of the gym.

Bear Down Building

Today, Bear Down is part of the Student Success District, a nine-acre mini campus just south of the Mall combining newer buildings like the Bartlett Academic Success Center with meaningful renovations to campus landmarks — an example of the university preserving it past while continuing to evolve.

TRADITIONS  “BEAR DOWN, ARIZONA”