The memory of the late Fresno State football coach Jim Sweeney will be invoked at Fresno State when #FresWOW’s Weeks of Welcome continues with Traditions Day from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27 in the Free Speech Area (north of the Madden Library).

A special appearance by Timeout will liven the day when the Athletics Department releases a new video of Sweeney’s traditional Bulldog Spirit song that his team sang after games during his 19-year Fresno State coaching career. He retired in 1996 as Fresno State’s all-time wins leader (143 victories) and died Feb. 8, 2013. Former players also sang it at Sweeney’s memorial service in Bulldog Stadium eight days later.

Among Coach Sweeney’s celebrated victories is the 1992 Freedom Bowl win over USC. This Saturday, the reigning Mountain West champion Bulldogs return to Los Angeles to open the 2014 football season against the Trojans.

Fresno State coach Tim DeRuyter reintroduced the chant last season in memory of Sweeney. (See the Bulldogs football team singing the song last year after winning the Mountain West championship Dec. 7: YouTube Video).

“We chose this song in honor of Traditions Day on campus because this song is part of the rich history of Fresno State,” said Allison Slater, athletics marketing coordinator. “It embodies the saying ‘Bulldog born, Bulldog bred’ and spreads school spirit far and wide.”

At Traditions Day, Fresno State students learn how to get involved in life outside the classroom with such college traditions as Vintage Days, student government, Greek life and the hundreds of active student organizations on campus.

Fresno State’s agricultural traditions will also be showcased with free samples of Fresno State ice cream and grilled corn.

For more information, about FresWOW Weeks of Welcome, contact Jessica Medina at 559.278.7121 or call the Student Involvement Center at 559.278.2741.

Related links: