Skip to main content
An image of downtown Tucson at sunset. The iconic 'A' mountain is seen lit up in the background.

‘A’ Mountain

A surge of spirit in 1914 and 1915 led to one of the most symbolic and present university traditions, ‘A’ Mountain. Tied to the iconic Tucson skyline, the ‘A’ is a permanent and constant reminder of the university’s role in Tucson and beyond.

It Was a Student's Idea

Back-to-back victories over Pomona College in 1914 and 1915 inspired football player and civil engineering student Albert H. Condron. He went to one of his professors and suggested building an “A” in rocks on the side of Sentinel Peak as a class assignment. Construction began on Nov. 13, 1915, and was completed on March 4, 1916.

A black and white photo of University of Arizona students pouring white paint that formed the 'A' on 'A' Mountain in Tucson, Arizona.

Building the ‘A’

The land was cleared and rocks were hauled up the mountain by six-horse teams. Students worked week after week and the “A” was finally white-washed nearly four months after construction began. Total cost of the project? $397. 

A black-and-white photograph of workers constructing the painted white 'A' on 'A' Mountain.

Sentinel Peak to ‘A’ Mountain

Sentinel Peak is now more commonly known as “A” Mountain. Arizona State University has its own “A” Mountain and each year before the Duel in the Desert students try to paint the opposing school’s “A” in their own colors. 

An image of the Bobcat Senior Honorary doing a group hug in front of the lighting of 'A' in Tucson.

‘A’ Mountain and Homecoming

Every year, Homecoming Week starts with the lighting of the “A” by the Bobcats Senior Honorary. Students, faculty, alumni, and friends of the university gather to watch the lighting. 

TRADITIONS

WILBUR & WILMA