Photos: Tucson's famed Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat through the years at UA
Wildcats are returning to campus as the University of Arizona prepares to kick off a new fall semester Monday. Here's a look back at Wilbur and Wilma's appearances through the years.
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From Star archives, here is the Wilbur and Wilma timeline:
β’ 1915-1958 - Live mascots were used off and on and often had to be tranquilized before games. The original Wildcat, a bobcat named Rufus, was accidentally hanged.
β’ Nov. 7, 1959 - Wilbur the mascot first appears at a football game. His $100 costume was paid for by the Associated Students of the University of Arizona.
β’ 1970s - Wilbur's "Rhinestone Cowboy" phase included a vest, cowboy boots and a holster and gun.
β’ March 1, 1986 - Wilbur meets Wilma on a blind date.
β’ Nov. 21, 1986 - Wilbur and Wilma's wedding. They are joined in holy "catrimony."
β’ 1995 - Wilbur sues the University of Arkansas Razorbacks over a knee injury from a rowdy tackle during a dance in 1994.
β’ 2002 - Guns were banned from the logo version of Wilbur, inspiring a debate about gun rights. The pistol-packing Wilbur still appears on the rare sign around campus.
β’ 2006 - Wilbur and Wilma renew their vows.
β’ Nov. 7, 2009 - Wilbur's 50th birthday.
β’ August 2012 - Wilbur and Wilma get a much-needed update - bigger hat, darkerΒ fur
Wilbur with his arm around a girl, Sept. 25, 1963.
Wilbur and Mickey Mouse at Sun Bowl Game, El Paso, Texas 1969 (Auburn 34, Arizona 10)
Wilbur, early 1970's.
Wilbur the Wildcat shows some spirit at the 1988 Homecoming bonfire and pep rally.
Sumo Wrestler Wilbur Wildcat meets Matt Gaylor in a 2-day funfest. During the Sports Illustrated Campus Fest. students were treated to two days of free fun, samples, and bizarre sports in 1997.
New University of Arizona President Peter Likins walks with Wildcats Wilbur and Wilma after being greeted by them Tuesday afternoon during a welcoming reception for Likins at the Marriott University Park hotel. At far left is Pat Likins, wife of the president. Photo taken in 1997, Val Canez
Wilma and Wilbur Wildcat tease Lil' Red during the Battle of the Bands on Dec. 29, 1998 at the San Diego Naval Station.
UA football coach John Mackovic is greeted by Wilbur Wildcat after disembarking from his RV in Rio Rico, the first stop on his one-day southern Arizona tour in 2001.
Even Wilbur the Wildcat was looking to see when the UA football team was going to show up as they lost to Oregon State, 38-3, in 2002.
Wilbur the Wildcat beats up the UC Santa Barbara mascot in a timeout showdown during a 2002 basketball game.
McKale Sports Stop store is loaded up with UA memorabilia like these stuffed Wilbur the Wildcats in 2003.
Arizona Govenor Janet Napolitano has fun with Wilbur and Wilma during UA vs. Washington mens basketball game at the McKale Center in January, 2003.
Wilbur the Wildcat takes to the stands during a 31-7 halftime lead over undefeated UCLA at Arizona Stadium in 2005.
Wilbur the Wildcat gets a free ride Saturday, November 11th, 2006 at Arizona Stadium.
09 UA football dsp16--Wilbur the Wildcat had a busy night as he had to do 59 one handed pushups at the end of the game as Washington State lost in Pullman, WA, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, to Arizona, 59-28. Photo by David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star.
Phyllis Goodman dances with Wilma Wildcat prior to the start of a tribute for former UA basketball coach Lute Olson at McKale Center in 2009.
Wilma and Wilbur before the Washington football game at Arizona Stadium in 2010.
Wilbur watches the bonfire near Old Main on the campus of the University of Arizona as part of the Pep Rally for the Homecoming Kickoff Celebration on October 22, 2010 in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Dean Knuth/Arizona Daily Star
Wilbur the Wildcat plays Madden 2012 football (he is the UA Wildcats of course) against Nathan Hughes on the huge, new video scoreboard at Arizona Stadium on Sept. 1, 2011.
Nick Foles pets βWilburβ the 7-year-old Bobcat during a public safety announcement for the Tucson Wildlife Center on July 18, 2011. Foles arrived at the UA after starting his college career at Michigan State.
Wilbur and Wilma take part in the Tucson Rodeo Parade Thursday, February 24, 2011. Photo by Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star
The new Wilbur and Wilma football outfits as are doing a photo shoot session under the direction of Luke Adams in McKale Center on Thursday August 9, 2012
Andreko Lennartz, left, helps Tim Lyons try out a custom-made Wilbur head as the Theta Tau fraternity applies the final workings to their homecoming float on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Photo by Mike Christy/Arizona Daily Star
The new Wilbur and Wilma basketball outfits during a photo session under the direction of Luke Adams in McKale Center on Thursday, August 9, 2012.
Wilbur Wildcat visited Cavett Elementary School for the end of Love of Reading Week in 2014.
Wilbur gets into the Christmas spirit as he sports a Santa Claus outfit during the game at McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona. Photo taken Monday December 23, 2013 Photo by: Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Wilbur takes a spin on a local's skateboard on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, outside Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Sparky of Arizona State University and Wilbur of University of Arizona have a dance-off on the basketball court during a basketball game at McKale Center on March 09, 2013 Tucson, Arizona photo by: Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Wilbur T. Wildcat directs the UA pep band during a pre-game fan rally before the Arizona vs. Wisconsin game at the NCAA West Regionals in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, March 29, 2014.
Wilma Wildcat reacts to some of the remarks from University of Arizona president Ann Weaver Hart at the ceremony on the Helen and Warren stop for the city's new streetcar system, Friday, July 25, 2014, Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Anthony Zavala, 3, right, dons his Wilbur face mask while he watches the end of practice with dad Israel during the Arizona Wildcats football meet the team night on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Parker Duffin models a Wilbur Wildcat costume. Angela Pittenger Arizona Daily Star
Arizona fan Phyllis Goodman dances with Wilbur T. Wildcat during the second half of the University of Arizona vs. California men's college basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.
Wilbur T. Wildcat takes the sticks himself on the drums with the Arizona pep band before the University of Arizona vs. California men's college basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.
Dr. Robert C. Robbins is flanked by Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat during a reception following the Presidential Installation Ceremony for Robbins on Nov. 29, 2017.Β
A little rain does not spoil a dance with Wilbur and Wilma as the sun tries to poke through the heavy clouds during the annual Lighting of A Mountain party in 2018 on top of the Main Gate Garage at the University of Arizona. The event kicks off UA Homecoming Week with a flurry of activities throughout the week. Lightning prevented the Fun 5K run from taking place and shortened the activities at the garage because of some occasional showers.
Wilbur and Wilma wave to the crowd during the 2018 University of Arizona homecoming parade on campus, Oct. 27, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Sam Thomas (14) celebrates with Wilma after the Wildcats 73-72 OT win against Stanford at McKale Center, February 28, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Jolene Streater, 9, left, tries to score a goal on Wilbur during The University of Arizona Athletics 50th Anniversary celebration of Title IX at the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center in Tucson, Ariz. on June 23, 2022.
John-Paul Rocznaik poses with Wilbur and a representative check for the Lute Olson Endowment for Excellence during the half time of the Arizona Wildcats against the Stanford Cardinal at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., March 3, 2022.
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