The history of the Mississippi state mascot is an interesting one. The university's mascot is known as "Bully" and is represented by a live English bulldog. The tradition of having an English bulldog as the mascot dates back to the 19th century. The first recorded instance of an English bulldog being used as the university's mascot was in 1905. At the time, a student named S.A.
"Bully" The Bulldog
Mississippi State University athletic teams are called Bulldogs, a name earned and maintained over the decades by the tough, tenacious play of student-athletes wearing the Maroon and White. The official school mascot is an American Kennel Club registered English Bulldog, given the inherited title of 'Bully'.
As with most universities, State teams answered to different nicknames through the years. The first squads representing Mississippi A&M College were proud to be called Aggies, and when the school officially became Mississippi State College in 1932 the nickname Maroons, for State's uniform color, gained prominence. Bulldogs became the official title for State teams in 1961, not long after State College was granted university status. Yet references to school teams and athletes as Bulldogs actually go back to early in the century, and this nickname was used almost interchangeably with both Aggies and Maroons, since at least 1905.
On November 30 of that year the A&M football team shut out their arch-rivals from the University of Mississippi 11-0 in Jackson, Miss. The campus newspaper, The Reflector, reported: "After the game, filled with that emotion that accompanies every great victory, there was nothing left for the cadets to do but to complete the great victory by showing sympathy for the dead athletic spirit of the University, by having a military funeral parade.
"A coffin was secured, decorated with University colors and a bulldog pup placed on top. It was then placed on the shoulders of a dozen cadets, and the procession started down Capitol Street, preceded by the brass band playing a very pathetic funeral march."
Other newspaper reports of the victory commented on the 'bulldog' style of play by the A&M eleven, and the Bulldog was soon publicly accepted as a school athletic symbol. Accounts of a 1926 pep rally in Meridian, Miss., had another bulldog parading with students.
Use as an official game mascot began in 1935 when coach Major Ralph Sasse, on 'orders' from his team, went to Memphis, Tenn., to select a bulldog. Ptolemy, a gift of the Edgar Webster family, was chosen and the Bulldogs promptly defeated Alabama 20-7.
A litter-mate of Ptolemy became the first mascot called 'Bully' shortly after Sasse's team beat mighty Army 13-7 at West Point that same year, perhaps the greatest victory in MSU football history. But Bully I earned other fame the hard way, in 1939 when a campus bus cut short his career.
Days of campus mourning followed, as Bully lay in state in a glass coffin. A half-mile funeral procession accompanied by The Famous Maroon Band and three ROTC battalions went to Scott Field where Bully was buried under the bench at the 50-yard line. Even LIFE Magazine covered to the event. Other Bullys have since been buried by campus dorms, fraternity houses, and also at the football stadium.
For years Bully was a target for kidnappers, the last incident occurring prior to the 1974 State-Ole Miss game. The Bulldog team won anyway, 31-13. While early Bullys once roamed campus freely or lived in fraternities, today the official university mascot is housed at the College of Veterinary Medicine when not on duty at State home football games. For all their fierce appearance and reputation, today's mascot bulldogs are good-natured, friendly animals and favorites with children.
A student wearing a Bulldog suit, also answering to Bully, is part of the MSU cheerleading team and assists in stirring up State spirit at games and pep rallies.
What was MSU’s athletic team mascot before becoming the Bulldogs?
Mississippi State University athletic teams are called Bulldogs, a name earned and maintained over the decades by the tough, tenacious play of student-athletes wearing the Maroon and White. The official school mascot is an American Kennel Club registered English Bulldog, given the inherited title of 'Bully'.
As with most universities, State teams answered to different nicknames through the years. The first squads representing Mississippi A&M College were proud to be called Aggies, and when the school officially became Mississippi State College in 1932 the nickname Maroons, for State's uniform color, gained prominence. Bulldogs became the official title for State teams in 1961, not long after State College was granted university status. Yet references to school teams and athletes as Bulldogs actually go back to early in the century, and this nickname was used almost interchangeably with both Aggies and Maroons, since at least 1905.
Newspaper reports of the victory Over the University of Mississippi commented on the 'bulldog' style of play by the A&M eleven, and the Bulldog was soon publicly accepted as a school athletic symbol. Accounts of a 1926 pep rally in Meridian, Miss., had another bulldog parading with students.
Use as an official game mascot began in 1935 when coach Major Ralph Sasse, on 'orders' from his team, went to Memphis, Tenn., to select a bulldog. Ptolemy, a gift of the Edgar Webster family, was chosen and the Bulldogs promptly defeated Alabama 20-7.
A litter-mate of Ptolemy became the first mascot called 'Bully' shortly after Sasse's team beat mighty Army 13-7 at West Point that same year, perhaps the greatest victory in MSU football history.
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Mississippi state mascot history
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LoginA. Whitaker brought his pet bulldog to a football game and it became an instant hit among the fans. The bulldog was named "Ptolemy" and was unofficially recognized as the school's mascot.
Mississippi State Mascot and Traditions
The Mississippi State Bulldogs have a long and storied history, and their beloved mascot, Bully, has been a part of that history since the 1930s. Legend has it that coach Major Ralph Sasse went all the way to Memphis to find the perfect bulldog to represent his team. He returned with Ptolemy, a gift from the Edgar Webster family, and the rest is history. With Bully on the sidelines, the Bulldogs have achieved great success, including a memorable victory over Alabama in 1935.
Later that year a litter-mate of Ptolemy became the first mascot called “Bully.” However, tragedy struck in 1939 when MSU's beloved mascot was hit by a bus. The outpouring of love for the Bulldog was immense as mourners viewed the fallen mascot as he lay in state in a glass coffin.
Bully was laid to rest under the 50 yard line of Scott Field. As his funeral procession was joined by the Maroon Band and three ROTC battalions, Life Magazine covered the emotional event.
Bullys that have followed and eventually passed away, have been buried near campus dorms, at fraternity houses and at the football stadium.
The early line of Bullys led a more carefree lifestyle that included roaming the campus freely or living in frat houses. However, today Bully has settled down and is now housed at the School of Veterinary Medicine when he’s not panting on the sidelines.
A bulldog costumed student, who is part of the MSU cheerleading team, shares the “Bully” name. This Bully assists in getting State fans fired up and has been known to stir the emotions of opposing mascots as well.
Mississippi State University made a big announcement during Saturday's 2023 spring football game. The beloved English bulldog mascot, Jak, would be retiring and passing on the mantle to the next generation of Bulldogs.
Dak was introduced as the newest addition to the mascot family. The new mascot has some big shoes to fill, considering he was named after former MSU QB Dak Prescott who after starring for the Maroon and White, became a force for the Dallas Cowboys.
Following the presentation of MSU's new mascot named after him, Prescott seemed pleased, "How about it?” Prescott said, via MSU's athletics website. “They’ve named the mascot after me, so I had to come back and see that. … For the mascot of Mississippi State, of this university, to be named after me, it’s humbling. It’s something I hold very special to me.”
In 1935, the university officially adopted the English bulldog as its mascot and named it "Bully." Since then, Bully has been a beloved symbol of Mississippi State University and has attended many sporting events and university functions. Over the years, there have been several different Bulldogs that have served as the school's official mascot. Each mascot is known as "Bully" and is given a Roman numeral to distinguish them. The current mascot, Bully XX, was crowned in 2015. Bully is not only a symbol of school spirit but also represents the university's fierce and competitive nature. The English bulldog is known for its tenacity, determination, and loyalty, qualities that are highly valued in the Mississippi State community. In addition to its role as a mascot, the English bulldog has also become a beloved pet and companion to many students and alumni. Bully has a dedicated caretaker who ensures its well-being and keeps up with its training and appearances. In conclusion, the history of the Mississippi State mascot is a rich and storied one. From its humble beginnings with a student's pet bulldog to the current line of official mascots, Bully has become a beloved symbol of the university's spirit and tradition..
Reviews for "Mississippi State's Bulldog Evolution: From Rebel to Mascot Hero"
- John Smith - 1 star rating - I was extremely disappointed with "Mississippi State Mascot History". The content felt like a rehashed version of what I could find with a quick Google search. I was hoping for a more in-depth analysis of the evolution of the Mississippi State mascot, but this book fell short. It lacked depth, originality, and failed to engage the reader. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an informative and interesting read on the topic.
- Sarah Johnson - 2 stars rating - As a fan of Mississippi State, I was excited to read "Mississippi State Mascot History" to learn more about our beloved mascot, Bully. However, the book did not live up to my expectations. It failed to cover the fascinating background of Bully and simply offered a surface-level overview. The writing style was uninspiring and lacked the enthusiasm I had hoped for. Overall, it was a lackluster read that left me wanting more.
- Michael Thompson - 1 star rating - I found "Mississippi State Mascot History" to be a complete waste of time. The book provided little insight into the history of the Mississippi State mascot and did not delve into any interesting stories or anecdotes. It felt like a rushed and poorly researched project, and I was left feeling unsatisfied. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the subject matter.
- Emily Davis - 2 stars rating - I had high hopes for "Mississippi State Mascot History" as a Mississippi State alumna, but unfortunately, it fell short. The information provided was basic and lacked depth. I was looking for a more comprehensive understanding of the mascots throughout history, but this book didn't go much beyond the surface level. The writing style was also quite dry and failed to captivate my interest. I would suggest looking for alternative sources if you're truly interested in learning about Mississippi State mascot history.