Wilbur T. Wildcat was "born" Nov. 7, 1959, when the walk-around mascot — the brainchild of UA students Richard Heller and John Paquette — made his debut at Arizona Stadium.
Wilbur T. Wildcat takes the sticks himself on the drums with the Arizona pep band before the No. 3 University of Arizona vs. California men's college basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona won 87-59.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Wilbur T. Wildcat was "born" Nov. 7, 1959, when the walk-around mascot — the brainchild of UA students Richard Heller and John Paquette — made his debut at Arizona Stadium. The UA stunned Texas Tech that day in a game that many experts considered one of the biggest wins in program history.
Here's a look at Wilbur through the years.
The first known photo of Wilbur T. Wildcat, the UA's walk-around mascot, comes from this June 30, 1960 Tucson Citizen photo. The UA debuted Wilbur on Nov. 7, 1959.
Tucson Citizen 1960
Wilbur and Mickey Mouse at Sun Bowl Game, El Paso, Texas 1969 (Auburn 34, Arizona 10) SOURCE: Special Collections University of Arizona Libraries University of Arizona Photograph Collection Wildcat mascots
James Gregg
Fans pose with Wilbur T. Wildcat before the University of Arizona Wildcats vs. UCLA Bruins college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
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.
Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
University of Arizona mascot Wilbur the Wildcat tries to lead cheers at a 1980 Homecoming Pep Rally on the UA Mall. Under the Wilbur head? Sophomore Nancy Benedict.
H. Darr Beiser / Tucson Citizen
Wilbur the Wildcat beckons all fans to the UA Homecoming bonfire on the UA Mall on Oct. 28, 1988.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Wilbur the Wildcat, posing for a photo at McKale Center, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Wilbur the Wildcat casts a skeptical eye on members of the Boston College band performing in a dance off with a team representing the University of Arizona at the fan fest prior to the kick-off for the AdvoCare V100 Bowl, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, Shreveport, La.
Kelly Presnell/Arizona Daily Star
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.
David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star
Wilbur T. Wildcat points to the Zona Zoo student section during the No. 1 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. Arizona State University men's college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Wilbur T. Wildcat takes the sticks himself on the drums with the Arizona pep band before the No. 3 University of Arizona vs. California men's college basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.
Mike Christy / 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.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Wilbur and the rest of the pep squad make an appearance at Tom's Urban gastro pub to pump up Arizona Wildcat fans before the NCAA West Regional Championship game on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Wilbur the Wildcat rides a Tucson Fire Department ladder truck during the 100th Homecoming Parade at the University of Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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