Where did Arizona Wildcats get their name?
Arizona Wildcats got their name after a hard-fought football game against the Occidental College Tigers on November 7, 1914. A Los Angeles Times columnist wrote that the Arizona team "Showed the fight of wildcats."
A brief history of Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats have a long and storied history, dating back to 1899. The team has won 10 conference championships, most recently in 2018. The Wildcats have also appeared in 15 bowl games, most recently the 2020 Fiesta Bowl.
Some of the most notable players in Arizona Wildcats football history include:
- Dick Tomey: Tomey was the head coach of the Wildcats from 1987 to 2000. He led the Wildcats to 10 bowl games, including a victory in the 1998 Rose Bowl.
- Ricky Williams: Williams was a star running back for the Wildcats from 1995 to 1998. He is the school's all-time leading rusher with 6,279 yards.
- Tedy Bruschi: Bruschi was a star linebacker for the Wildcats from 1993 to 1995. He was a first-round pick in the 1996 NFL Draft and is a three-time Super Bowl champion.
- Anquan Boldin: Boldin was a star wide receiver for the Wildcats from 2001 to 2003. He was a first-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft and is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.
- Nick Foles: Foles was a star quarterback for the Wildcats from 2008 to 2011. He was a seventh-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and is a Super Bowl MVP.
The Arizona Wildcats football team is a proud tradition of excellence. The team has a rich history of success and has produced some of the best players in the Pac-12. The Wildcats are always a contender for the Pac-12 championship and are always a threat to make a bowl game.