Bear Down Gym
For nearly a century, Bear Down Gym has stood at the center of the University of Arizona campus. Once home to Wildcat athletics and now a hub for student success, the building connects generations of students through a shared legacy of determination, tradition, and community.
The 1926 Beginnings
Opened in 1926 as the Men’s Gymnasium, Bear Down Gym was designed by Roy Place and built by Clinton Campbell. Its prominent location and distinctive architecture quickly made it a campus landmark.
Special Collections, University Libraries
A Home for Basketball
For nearly 50 years, Bear Down Gym served as the home court of Arizona Basketball. Before McKale Center opened in 1973, generations of Wildcats competed here and helped build the foundation of one of the nation's most respected programs.
Bear Down Hollywood
In 1984, Bear Down Gym appeared in the comedy Revenge of the Nerds, serving as part of the fictional Adams College campus and introducing the building to audiences nationwide.
Reinvented for Today's Students
A key part of the University of Arizona's Student Success District, Bear Down Gym has been thoughtfully restored and adapted to support tutoring, academic resources, collaboration, and student success while preserving its historic character
More Than a Gym
From athletics to academics, Bear Down Gym reflects the enduring spirit of the University of Arizona. It stands as a symbol of resilience, tradition, and the generations of Wildcats who have come together under its roof.
