Fresno State Alumni
Traditions
With a 100-plus year history, Fresno State has embraced many traditions that are near and dear to its alumni's hearts. Some traditions have come and gone, but others have stood the test of time. These include "Fight Varsity" and "To Thee Our Alma Mater."
The Fresno State Alma mater was written by Charles Dana Gibson/James H. Morrison in 1925, arranged by Anna Hamre and performed by the Bulldog Marching Band. Our alma mater is sung at graduation, the Fresno State Top Dog Awards Gala and after the Star Spangled Banner at football games.
To Thee Our Alma Mater
Let us in song, our voices raise
In cloistered courts, to sound thy praise.
Each Voice and heart that sings is true
To thee, oh, Cardinal and Blue.
For thee, our hopes and memories;
For thee, our hearts and loyalties.
Thy sons and daughters hail thee great,
Our Alma Mater, Fresno State!
The Fresno State Fight Song was first adopted in 1934; written by Chet Enos and Cuyler H. Leonard, arranged by John Bliss and performed by the Bulldog Marching Band with Timothy Todd Anderson, director. You can hear the fight song at Fresno State sporting events.
FIGHT VARSITY!
Fight Varsity
On your toes dig in and hit that line!
We're all pulling hard for you
So fight and give the best there is in you
Fight Varsity
On your toes dig in and hit that line!
We'll fight on to victory
We're always true to Fresno State!
B-U-L-L-D-O-G-S
GO DOGS GO!
FIGHT DOGS FIGHT!
"GOOO DOGS!"
Fight Varsity
On your toes dig in and hit that line!
We're all pulling hard for you
So fight and give the best there is in you
Fight Varsity
On your toes dig in and hit that line!
We'll fight on to victory
We're always true to Fresno State!
Fresno State’s mascot, TimeOut, first debuted in the 1970s. Since then, TimeOut has become an ambassador for Fresno State and can be seen at campus and athletic events. Full of Bulldog Pride, TimeOut has become a key fixture to our university since first worn by Charles Mugredechian. The students performing as Fresno State's mascot, TimeOut, are provided annual awards by the Bulldog Pride Fund, a scholarship under the auspices of the Fresno State Alumni Association.
Loud and proud, Fresno State's loyal and enthusiastic fans have made themselves heard nationwide - by national publications which have chronicled the Bulldogs' fantastic fan following, and by others in the media, who have referred to the noise level generated by the Red Wave as "deafening." It's that kind of fan support that has helped put Fresno State athletics on the map.
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 referred to Fresno State as the Bulldogs. The nickname stuck, but there was no official mascot until 1935. Tradition waned until the 1980s when the live bulldog mascot tradition was revived by a football coach, the late Jim Sweeney, and his bulldog, Half-Time.
Victor E. Bulldog, Fresno State's four-legged mascot since 2006, passed away after succumbing to his battle with cancer on Aug. 10, 2012.
Victor E. Bulldog II was introduced at Bulldog Stadium on Sept. 15, 2012. Victor E. Bulldog II regularly attended football games and made appearances during halftime, spurring excitement from the Red Wave. He also made special appearances at various on-campus and athletic events throughout the year. Victor E. Bulldog II passed away on March 12, 2015.
Fresno State welcomed Victor E. Bulldog III, whose purchase was made possible by a generous donor in June of 2015. Victor E. Bulldog III is cared for and owned by the Fresno State Alumni Association.
Fresno State welcomed Victor E. Bulldog IV in November 2022. He shadowed Victor E. Bulldog III until he became the official live mascot at the Passing of the Collar ceremony in Spring 2023. His purchase was made possible by a generous donor and is also cared for and owned by the Fresno State Alumni Association.
