Search

ARCHIVES
CONTACT US
WORLD NEWS

Sports column offensive

To the editor,

Ryan Finley's commentary, "Refuse to 'Bear Down,'" is yet another example of a sports reporter (see Bryan Rosenbaum's commentary on Dec. 3) aiming laughable criticism at the Pep Band based on even more laughable "knowledge." As a 5-year member of the "Pride of Arizona" Marching Band, and as a sibling of and friend to "Pride of Arizona" Pep Band members, I feel it necessary to address several points in Mr. Finley's commentary.

Mr. Finley's assertion that neither "Bear Down" or "Fight Wildcats" "can hold a candle to some of the more traditional" college fight songs of the country is a subjective judgment Mr. Finley is not even remotely qualified to make.

His further assertion that "Bear Down" is "simplistic" is absurd - especially when one considers the "Bear Down" lyrics he chose as an example. Those lyrics are the chorus of the song. Perhaps if Mr. Finley knew that more of the song existed, he would have chosen lyrics from the verse instead: "Let's cheer for Arizona/Let's raise our voices high/Let's cheer for Arizona/The Bear Down Battle Cry/Let's cheer our team to Victory/Let's cheer our team to Fame/Let's cheer for Arizona/For Spirit wins the Game." These lyrics are just as fitting for a fight song as those of "Fight Wildcats."

Mr. Finley has obviously done some extremely poor "research," for he does NOT know the story of how "Bear Down" was written. Its composer was the amazing Jack Lee, director of the Marching Band from 1952-1980.

While flying out of Tucson after an interview for his position, Jack Lee saw the words "Bear Down" painted on the roof of Bear Down Gym (where they still are today), and knowing the story of John "Button" Salmon, he was immediately inspired to write the song on the first available scrap of paper - a napkin. If Mr. Finley truly knew this legendary story, he would have most likely mentioned Jack Lee by name. He likely would also have avoided calling "Bear Down," "written on a cocktail napkin bad." Mr. Finley no doubt thought this comment clever, but it is extremely disrespectful to Jack Lee and his honest inspiration for writing the song.

Mr. Finley seems to have overlooked the fact that if the pep band is playing "Bear Down" more often, it is likely due to the recent complaints by his colleague (i.e. Bryan Rosenbaum).

Mr. Finley and other sports reporters should refrain in the future from attempting to make comments regarding a subject in which they have no personal knowledge on, on which they have no accurate facts. They should stick to writing about sports, which they supposedly do know something about.

Jennifer A. Haraashman

Anthropology Senior