Name-a-Day Calendar, February 6: Fresno State Bulldogs

Page 92 of 365

Chosen in: 1921

Chosen by: Student Arids Walker

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What is now California State University, Fresno, first opened as a normal school in 1911 and began playing both football and men’s basketball in 1921. The story of how they became the Bulldogs comes from their inaugural football season.

As it is told, during the season, students would often find a white bulldog outside the main campus building. Eventually, the students began bringing the dog to football games, where it was a big hit. This led to student Arids Walker to motion to adopt “Bulldogs” as the school’s official nickname in a student body meeting late that fall. The motion passed and the Fresno Morning Republican, the local daily newspaper, first called Fresno State the Bulldogs in print on November 21, 1921.

As with all Bulldogs teams, I am legally required to share Fresno State’s live mascot, Victor E. Bulldog IV.

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