Truman to Celebrate 100th Anniversary of the Bulldog

Bulldogs, both canine and Spike forms, have appeared in University parades, rallies and on the sidelines to help cheer the athletic teams on to victory, for a century this spring. To celebrate the Bulldogs' centennial, the Student Activities Board has collaborated with several Truman organizations to plan a week of events leading up to Truman’s National Spirit Day, April 3.

Although the term bulldogs was first used by Coach O.C. Bell, to describe the football teams tenacity in 1909, it was not until 1915 that Bulldogs became the official name.  In 1915, after several losing seasons—and no wins at all in 1914—a committee was formed to see what could be done about reviving school spirit. While the student body was very supportive of the 1914 team, the committee knew they were somewhat discouraged, so they decided that some type of emblem to inspire enthusiasm was needed.

They suggested that the bulldog be adopted as the team mascot because of his tenacity and ability to hold on and fight desperately until the end. Football coach H.L. “Curly” McWilliams had referred to his 1914 team as bulldogs because they did not quit.

It was the baseball team who played under the Bulldog name for the first time in the spring of 1915 and the football team began using it a year later. More information about the mascot name can be found at library.truman.edu/archives/mascot.asp.

Open Mic Night
March 30
6:30 p.m.
Student Union Building HUB
Enjoy some local entertainment at Spike’s Open Mic Night.

Murder Mystery Improv Comedy Night
March 31
6:30 p.m.
Student Union Building Activities Room
Help crack the case at Spike’s Murder Mystery party.

Truman Baseball
April 1
12 p.m.
Bulldog Baseball Park
The first team to officially play as the Bulldogs was Truman baseball in the spring of 1915, students can celebrate this tradition by attending the Truman vs. Quincy double header, with a special guest to throw out the first pitch at 11:45 a.m.

Bulldog Birthday Party
April 2
5-7 p.m.
The Mall
(Rain site: Student Union Building HUB)
Students are invited to help Spike celebrate the Bulldogs' 100th birthday party with a special anniversary cake, cookies, a photo booth and special entertainment.

National Truman Spirit Day
April 3
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Student Union Building HUB
For the University’s National Spirit Day, the Truman Alumni Association encourages all alumni, students, friends, families and supporters of the University all around the world to wear Bulldog purple or Truman (or Northeast) apparel and decorate their homes and offices with Truman gear. There will be a photo booth set up from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Student Union Building HUB.