How did Fresno State arrive at the nickname, Bulldogs, or the colors, Red and Blue? 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. The dog adopted the group and they decided to make him the mascot. Arids Walker made the motion to adopt "Bulldogs" as the official nickname in a student body meeting. It was on November 21, 1921, that the Morning Republican first referred to Fresno State as the "Bulldogs".

The colors evolved out of an argument by women from Fresno Normal School and men from Fresno Junior College. The women were seeking blue and white to the men's red and white. A compromise was struck with the school adopting red and blue.