University of Arizona | |
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City: | Tucson, Arizona |
Type: | Public |
Sports: | baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming/diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball[1] |
Colors: | red, blue |
Mascot: | Wilbur Wildcat (Wildcats) |
Degrees: | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral[2] |
Website: | http://www.arizona.edu/ |
The University of Arizona (or UA) is an Arizona public university established in 1885.[3] The school ranked #96 in US News's 2008 "National Universities: Top Schools" list.[4]
Three (primary) Arizona cities (Tucson, Phoenix and Prescott), were vying for two prizes: either an asylum or the capital. Phoenix was given the asylum, and a $100,000 appropriation; Prescott was given the capital; and C.C. Stevens, who was Tucson's representative, returned to Tucson with the rights to the new university, and a mere $25,000 for it (some reports have citizens showering Stevens with ripe eggs, rotten vegetables and a dead cat).[5]
The university would open its doors 6 years later in 1891.[6] The first graduating class consisted of only 3 people (down from the 6 who were admitted): Mercedes Anna Shibell, Charles Oma Rouse and Mary Flint Walker.[7]
UA's football program has won 5 bowl games (while losing 7 and tying 1).[8] The basketball program won a national championship in 1997.[9]
Its most successful program is softball, which has won eight national titles.