May 7, 2009

The public is invited to join an assault on two world records led by California State University, Fresno marketing students by bringing two different kinds of recyclables to the campus on Saturday, May 9.

• What’s billed as the “World’s Largest Recyclable College Mascot” – a replica of Fresno State’s Bulldog Athletics mascot -- will be unveiled at noon Saturday, May 9, prior to the Fresno State baseball games against Western Athletic Conference rival Hawai’i at Beiden Field. The first 250 folks who bring five or more cans to add to the sculpture will get complimentary tickets to the games.

• From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. old television sets and computer monitors can be dropped off at parking Lot C (Shaw and Maple avenues) to form an art installation designed to look from above like the world’s largest television. The first 100 donors get free-pizza coupons. After pictures are taken to document the event, the e-waste will be taken to Electronic Recyclers International in Fresno for recycling.

The two projects are among several conducted this semester by students in Dr. William Rice’s Marketing 188 class, “Strategic Marketing,” in the Craig School of Business. The other projects in which students are attempting to be in the “Guinness Book of World Records” are:

• A drive to collect at least 6,000 plush toys.

• A drive to collect at least 15,000 textbooks to be sent to Africa.

• The world’s largest constructed heart bank for the Ronald McDonald House at Children’s Hospital Central California in Madera.

• An assemblage of 150,000 photos – thousands contributed by the public – for an exhibit on campus on May 15.

The public unveiling of the recycle mascot will be in the Red Lot north of Beiden Field. At 1:15 p.m., a ceremonial can-crushing will feature Dr. John D. Welty, university president, leading a contingent of ’Dogs fans, character mascot Timeout, live mascot Victor E. Bulldog and the Fresno State Cheerleaders.

The recyclable mascot will be on view until 2 p.m. First pitch in the doubleheader is at 2:05.

The Bulldog, made of cans and scrap metal and approximately 8 by 12 by 14 feet, is the creation of a team of students in Rice’s class to test their marketing abilities and get their project promoted outside the classroom.

"Real world experiences have better and longer lasting benefits than text-book encounters," Rice said.

The project would be a first according to the students’ research of Guinness records, said team member Michael Cruz of Selma. “Once they figure out if it qualifies, we must submit a portfolio of the record: pictures, video, measurements, two witnesses and get it notarized.”

The recycle dog will be able to hold 300-400 crushed aluminum cans. “We are asking the community to come out and donate their aluminum cans and plastic bottles to help make Fresno State a green campus,” Cruz said. “At the same time you can show your support for the Bulldogs baseball team.”

Anyone wishing to donate aluminum cans and plastic bottles prior to the unveiling may do so at the Smittcamp Alumni House on campus, 2625 E. Matoian Way, east of Maple, off Shaw Avenue.

The recyclable Bulldog unveiling will include a kid’s zone with face painting, bubble booth and a Bulldog drawing contest. Radio station Y101 will be joined by other local supporters such as Red Zone Bar and Grill and Solar City. The students have invited Little League teams, elementary schools and Fresno State organizations to be a part of this project.

The recycle dog also will be on display on campus on Monday, May 11, at the Craig School of Business.

For more information on the recycle dog, contact team spokesman Michael Cruz at 559.824.3219. For the electronic waste project, contact Randall V. Jones at 559.250.7941.