Program Profile: Cal State, Fresno

WAC since 1921
Colors: Cardinal and Blue
Mascot: Bulldog


They’ve adopted an attitude of “playing anyone, anytime, anywhere”. That moxy has paid off; since the century opened they’ve defeated ten BCS teams—including in three bowls (against Georgia Tech, UVA, and UCLA). They’re reported to have the noisiest fans in the WAC. They have a seemingly random “V” on their helmets, but it actually stands for San Joaquin Valley, the 250 mile radius around campus that lacks any other sort of sport. They’re supported by their students in the “Red Zone”.

Look for Timeout, the bulldog, on the sidelines. In the early ‘20’s there was this bulldog that hung out on campus and wouldn’t go away and so of course everyone loved him and he eventually became the mascot and the tradition has continued (though I presume he’s bred now and not just picked up off the street). The colors Red and Blue represent not only Fresno State, but what peaceniks they have in California. When it came time to vote on colors back in the day, the girls wanted blue and white and the boys wanted red and white. Instead of sending the girls back to the kitchen, they compromised.