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Happy Birthday, Timeout!

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By Tom Uribes

Who's 580 years old (in dog years) and still romps around like a pup? Timeout, of course!

The university and the San Joaquin Valley began celebrating the elder statesman and ambassador of sportsmanship as one of their most cherished characters. Timeout, Fresno State's Bulldog mascot, turned 80 this fall.

A special birthday observance was held at halftime of the Dec. 1 game against Utah State in Bulldog Stadium. Other celebrations are planned as well, including several basketball games.

According to university lore, late in their initial 1921 season, student body president Warren Moody and friends were continually greeted outside the main campus building by a white bulldog. Fresno State had been established 10 years earlier as Fresno Normal School.

The dog adopted the group, and the students decided to make him the college's mascot. In a student body meeting, student representative Arids Walker made the motion to adopt "Bulldogs" as the official nickname. The Fresno Bee first referred to Fresno State as the "Bulldogs."

Back to University Journal, 12/10/01 Issue