Fresno State Athletics
Picture Perfect Bulldog Gathering
7/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 20, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - Twelve current Fresno State football players and seven former players reunited at Bulldog Stadium to shoot photos for the upcoming 2010 Fresno State Football game programs.
Among the former players were All-American's Kevin Sweeney, Dale Messer, and Jesse Hardwick. Messer and Sweeney are also among the Bulldog greats who have their jerseys retired in Bulldog Stadium.
Sweeney, an NCAA record setting quarterback, posed with current senior quarterback Ryan Colburn. Sweeney, who played for the `Dogs during the 1983-86 seasons, spoke about being at the gathering.
"It's an honor to be asked to be here. Coming down the ramp brought back memories of all those pre-game jitters. More importantly I got to be a part of this with Ryan, especially with him going into his senior year."
The former Bulldogs legend had many great things to say about Colburn.
"He's a great player and a great leader for his football team and I look forward to him having a great season this year."
Colburn in turn had only praises for Sweeney saying that it was a privilege to know Kevin and to be standing with him at the event.
"The team is very excited and the season is coming fast," Colburn said. "We've been training hard and we're going to be ready."
Former Bulldog's Rod Kraft and Tom McCall also joined the fun. Kraft, a record-setting player during his career, is a successful physician in Fresno and serves as Fresno State's team doctor. McCall was an All-American linebacker for Fresno State in the 1960s and made the drive from his home in Merced to participate in the photo shoot.
These Bulldog alumni along with current players Andrew Jackson, Ben Jacobs, Chris Carter, Lorne Bell, Desia Dunn, and Vince Pascoe gathered for a photo shoot. The group was all smiles as they reminisced about past memories and discussed the upcoming season, which begins September 4th with a home game against Cincinnati.
Since this is the Centennial year, Fresno State is tying the past and the present with themes for each of the seven 2010 Bulldog football game program covers.
There were two father-son duo's among the group. Patrick Plummer stood next to his son, current linebacker Shawn Plummer. Patrick Plummer played for the `Dogs in 1971-72 and now gets to proudly watch his son play in Bulldog Stadium. The former tackle is also a successful high school football coach at Hoover High School in Fresno.
James Lewis played for the Bulldogs during the 1982-84 seasons. He joined his son, current defensive end Chris Lewis on the field.
"It is a lot of fun to be here and think back on all the memories and all the games I've played in and all the games I have gotten to watch," said the proud father of Chris Lewis. "It's exciting watching Chris play football and I get to live vicariously though him. With Chris going into his senior year we are very excited for him and for the season."
Of the upcoming season Chris Lewis said fans can get excited for a hard hitting defense and a great offense.
"I am looking forward to our home games, we have seven of them and we expect a lot of fans to come out and enjoy," Lewis added.
Senior center Joe Bernardi was also honored to be among great company and excited for the upcoming season of seven home games.
"We need the stadium to be filled to accomplish our goals we set as a team. We have high expectations for the 2010 season and with the help of our supportive community we expect to fill every seat in that stadium and for every game to be as loud as possible to help us win our seven games."
2010 Bulldog Football Season Ticket Specials (available July 19-30)
In honor of the Fresno State Centennial every seat in section 25 will sell for only $100. There are approximately 800 tickets available at the $100 price, so all interested Bulldog Football fans are encouraged to take advantage of this Centennial offer right away. Current public season ticket holders can also purchase a matching number of season tickets for only $100 per ticket. Order online at gobulldogs.com or call 278-DOGS.
All season ticket holders located in the Red Seats can purchase a matching number of Red Seat season tickets for only $245 per ticket (no additional donation necessary). Season ticket holders in the Premium Bench and BDF Bench can purchase a matching number of season tickets for only $100 per ticket in their section (no additional donation necessary).
Seats will be allocated at point of purchase and all season ticket holders will have first priority to renew these seats for the 2011 season at a cost to be determined at a later date. To place an order, contact the Bulldog Foundation at 244-5600. Single game tickets and mini-plans will go on sale July 31. To purchase tickets log onto gobulldogs.com or call 278-DOGS.
For the first time since 1994 the Dogs have seven home games with BCS foes Cincinnati and Illinois visiting Bulldog Stadium. Cincinnati is the two-time defending Big East Champions while Illinois has won five national championships over the course of its storied career and competed in the Rose Bowl in 2007.
"We Are Your Team!" - The 2010 Fresno State football season is fast approaching and season tickets are available. The exciting 2010 schedule features seven home games, including defending Big East Champion Cincinnati and Big Ten power Illinois, plus WAC rivals Nevada, Hawaii, Idaho and New Mexico State. Click on the tickets icon at the top of this page for more information or to purchase.
