UA homecoming this weekend is all about Wilbur the Wildcat - the beloved and furry mascot turns 50 on Saturday.
The UA used real animals as mascots off and on between the early 1900s and the late 1950s (with at least one tragic mishap), until two UA students (Richard Heller and John Paquette) pitched the idea of using a costume-wearing human.
Wilbur made his first appearance at the UA vs. Texas Tech football game on Nov. 7, 1959, and was an immediate hit, according to a UA Web site.
Wilbur's look has evolved over the years. It was during one of those costume makeovers that Wilma the Wildcat was created.
She made her first public appearance on March 1, 1986, during a "blind date" with Wilbur. The pair later "married" before an Arizona-Arizona State football game.
For a chance to win a a set of three audio books, tell us the date of their wedding.
Star reporter Kevin Smith is an avid collector of mornings after, enjoys bands in which members wear white belts, and could murder a pint of Stella at this very moment. He can be reached at the north east corner of Reid Park, between the hours of 1 and 6 a.m.
You always think you know what you would write in a situation like this, but then when the time actually rolls around, you never really know what to say…
Jay-Z wrote hip-hop site Rap Radar today to say although he was at first skeptical about performing at Wednesday’s Last Smash Platinum Bash, he ended up loving it.
