The Fresno State Alumni Association and Fresno State Athletics will host a first birthday celebration for the university’s official live mascot, Victor E. Bulldog II, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6.
The free, family-friendly event will be held at the entrance of Pete Beiden Field prior to the Fresno State baseball game against UNLV at 6:35 p.m. The community is invited to join the festivities and celebrate with cake, giveaways and a special photo opportunity with the birthday bulldog.
Victor E. Bulldog II was introduced at Bulldog Stadium on Sept. 15, 2012. He regularly attends football games and makes appearances during halftime, spurring excitement from the Red Wave. He also makes special appearances at various on-campus and athletic events throughout the year and is known for his favorite trick, the Bulldog Bounce.
The initial idea of having a live mascot dates back to 1921 when Fresno State College students were greeted by a white bulldog on campus each lunch hour. Soon students were bringing him to football games and the Fresno Morning Republican coined “the Bulldogs.” The nickname stuck, although there was no official mascot until 1935. Tradition waned until the 1980s when the live bulldog mascot tradition was revived by football coach, the late Jim Sweeney, and his bulldog, Half-Time.
The Fresno State Alumni Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the engagement, scholarship and recognition of Fresno State alumni and serves as the official “Bulldog Connection. For Life.”
For more information, contact Event Coordinator, Ashleigh Davis at ashleighd@csufresno.edu or 559.278.5723.
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