Fresno State pitcher Cooper Bergman plays with new live mascot Victor E. Bulldog IV before the passing of the collar ceremony.

Fresno State pitcher Cooper Bergman plays with new live mascot Victor E. Bulldog IV before the passing of the collar ceremony. Photo by Cary Edmondson

After nearly eight years as Fresno State’s live mascot, Victor E. Bulldog III passed his collar to his successor, Victor E. Bulldog IV, during a ceremony at the Fresno State baseball game on April 16 at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.

Prior to the first pitch of Fresno State’s 5-4 win over rival San Diego State, Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval took the ceremonial collar from Victor E. Bulldog III and placed it around Victor E. Bulldog IV’s neck, representing the official passing of duties. 

“This event ushers in the next chapter for the Fresno State live mascot program,” Jiménez-Sandoval said. “Victor E. uplifts the university in a way no human ambassador ever could.”

The red leather collar, custom-designed by Orloff Jewelers, displays each previous mascot’s name and years of service engraved in brass and includes the iconic Green V and four-paw Bulldog logo.

“When [Fresno State] asked us if we would create the ceremonial collar, there was an immediate ‘yes’ to this honor. The live mascot program embodies the rich traditions of Fresno State and the Central Valley,” said James Orloff, who attended the passing of the collar. “Getting to design something that will represent a legacy and the future of the program is truly humbling.” 

The purchase of both Victor E. Bulldog III and Victor E. Bulldog IV was made possible by donors Kathy and Robert Huebert, who were also present at the ceremony, and the late John H. Horstmann.

“Victor E. Bulldog III is in good health, but, for this role, retiring at 8 years old is the right age,” said Jacqui Glasener, the executive director of the Fresno State Alumni Association and caretaker of the live mascots. “Victor E. III has served Fresno State so admirably all these years, and we want him to go out on top. Retirement will mean no more official business for Victor E. III, but he will still come to campus from time to time.”

In his retirement, Victor E. Bulldog III will continue to live with Glasener and her sons, Declan and Aidan, both Fresno State students. His care will continue to be funded by the live mascot program.

The Live Mascot Program is solely funded by donations from fans and friends of Fresno State. To make a gift in celebration of the next era of mascot excellence, visit the Fresno State Alumni Association website. 

Fresno City Council President Tyler Maxwell, who was also in attendance, issued a  proclamation making March 30 Victor E. Bulldog III Day in the City of Fresno. Caroline Nolan, Fresno State’s live mascot coordinator, has served as a handler for Victor E. Bulldog IV since he debuted on campus in November.

“Victor E. Bulldog IV is the best pup and is taking to his training like a natural,” Nolan said. “With both of us being new to our roles, the support from the campus community has been overwhelming and has meant the world to us.”

Fans can follow Victor E. Bulldog IV as he takes on the role of live mascot via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.


Live mascot history

Victor E. Bulldog III leads his nephew, Victor E. Bulldog IV, onto Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium for the passing of the collar ceremony.

Victor E. Bulldog III leads his nephew, Victor E. Bulldog IV, onto Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium for the passing of the collar ceremony. Photo by Cary Edmondson

Legend has it that in 1921 student body President Warren Moody and friends were continually greeted on campus by a white bulldog. Soon, students were bringing the nameless pooch to football games, and Arids Walker made the motion to adopt the nickname in a student body meeting. On Nov. 21, the Morning Republican first referred to Fresno State as the Bulldogs.

But there was no official mascot until 1935, when a white, purebred bulldog named Touchdown was introduced.

In the mid-1950s, Moose debuted on the sidelines. But tragedy struck in 1958 after a game against College of the Pacific when Moose escaped his student keeper’s grasp and ran under the wheels of the visiting fans’ train.

Upon hearing the news, the Marine Corps donated Moose II, who was later succeeded by Diamond. Moose III, described as “a shy version of [Fresno State’s] ferocious mascot” lived to be 13, but retired in 1973 after 10 years in the role because he feared the cannon that celebrated Bulldogs touchdowns. Moosifour was donated in 1973, but attracted little enthusiasm during a time when campus turmoil upstaged student spirit.

In the 1980s football coach Jim Sweeney revived the live mascot tradition, purchasing Halftime. But the tradition faded again until 2006 when Victor E. Bulldog was introduced after a tryout that included more than 90 bulldogs. Beloved by fans, he succumbed to cancer in 2012 at age 8. Victor E. Bulldog II debuted Sept. 15, 2012, and tragically died from a bee sting before turning 3 years old.

In June 2015, Victor E. Bulldog III, known as Victor, took the helm, and has been adored by the community since. Victor officially retired on April 16, 2023 after the passing of the collar ceremony. Victor will continue to be cared for by Fresno State, and will live with his caretaker for the remainder of his life.

On November 29, 2022, Victor E. Bulldog IV, known as V, was introduced to the campus community. Victor E. Bulldog IV, born June 22, 2022  in a litter of four puppies to parents Cersei and Athens, is a great nephew of Victor E. Bulldog III. V worked with Victor as mascot-in-training until April 16, 2023, when Victor E. Bulldog III officially passed the collar to Victor E. Bulldog IV, marking the beginning of his reign as live mascot.