Fresno State Athletics
Timeout Joins March Madness
3/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
March 15, 2007
HOLLYWOOD - While Fresno State's men's and women's basketball teams seasons have come to an end, the school's most visible Bulldog, mascot Timeout, is making his own mark in the NCAA tournament.
Timeout is one of a select few mascots appearing in a national advertising campaign that is airing during the NCAA men's basketball championships on CBS. The advertisements started running Thursday, the first day of the NCAA tournament, and will continue throughout the tournament.
Timeout recently left his comfortable Dog House, also known as the Save Mart Center, and was taken by a chauffeured limousine to Hollywood for the commercial shoot. While enjoying the lavish "star" treatment he so richly deserves, Timeout was treated to a "pawdicure" and dinner provided by world-famous chef to the mascot stars, Wolfgang Pug.
During the commercial shoot, Timeout was able to rub paws with some other famous mascots, including the Kansas State Wildcat, the Penn State Nittany Lion, Arizona State's Sun Devil, Wichita State's Wu Shock, and USC's Traveler.
The ad campaign promotes responsible drinking and was a collaborative effort by the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) and Anheuser-Busch. The campaign was spearheaded by Fresno State's Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Paul Oliaro. Oliaro is a national leader on the topic of responsible alcohol consumption on college campuses.
"Mascots are a focal point during games," said Peter McPherson, President of NASULGC. "We thought it made perfect sense to use them as a unifying force to deliver a positive message to fans."
Bulldog fans are urged to look for Timeout during the NCAA Championships broadcasts.
