While performing a major historic renovation and rehabilitation project on the University of Arizona’s (UA) Old Main building, two members of Sundt’s project team uncovered a piece of history. During demolition, the pair found a yearbook from 1911 that was wedged beneath a built-in cabinet on the second level. The yearbook originally belonged to Herbert Rolland Aylworth, the trainer of the 1910 football team, and later was stamped as belonging to J. F. “Pop” McKale. McKale was a beloved UA coach and athletic director as well as the namesake of McKale Center, the campus’s basketball venue.
For history buffs, the yearbook’s discovery amounts to buried treasure that might easily have been damaged during construction or lost all together.
“The yearbook is, in no small part due to the diligence of Sundt Construction and Dickens Quality Demolition, in very good shape,” said Steve Allvin, University of Arizona Inspector. “The pair that made the discovery recognized the cool factor and delivered the yearbook safely to Sundt, which then turned it over quickly to the university before excessive handling did any damage. Many thanks.”
Completed in 1891, Old Main is the oldest building on the UA campus and the second oldest occupied building in Arizona. Sundt is performing a $9 million project to reverse age-related deterioration and renovate the facility for modern-day functionality. The education construction project will be complete next summer.