Bulldog

Bulldog Mascot

The Bulldog was selected as Greenwood High School’s mascot in the 1928-29 school year. This was when consolidation of the school districts, plus the legacy of $30,000 from a former Greenwood merchant “Cash” Alexander, led to the building of a new high school in Greenwood.

At the time the only sport was football, and games were played on a field – more like a pasture. The gate was a barbed wire gap-style. Admission was 15 cents, 13 cents plus 2 cents tax. Suggested mascot names and colors were turned in that year and after a popular vote of the students the team became the Bulldogs and their colors blue and white. (Source: Gladys Joyce, Class of ’32)

Football players Horace Bryan, Joe Bianchi, Arl McConnell, Grady Robinson, Perry Elmore and Coach C. B. Smith supported the choice and were instrumental in selecting the Bulldog mascot. (Source: The Key 1973, p. 11)

Originally the English used this breed in a sporting event called bull-baiting. The bulldog is known for its ferocious loyalty and tenacity, an excellent choice to represent Greenwood’s school spirit. Now the Running Bulldog is the most accepted symbol of the athletic teams.

Bulldog clipart for use on projects can be found at GHS Bulldog Clipart

A French operetta by Edmund Audrain about a farm girl who brought good luck was titled in the English translation “The Mascot” and played in Boston in 1882. The concept of a mascot as a person, animal or thing bringing luck was thus established. (Source: http://animalcrackers.com.au/history.htm )

Yale was the first university in the United States to adopt a mascot, an English bulldog named “Handsome Dan” in the 1892. (Source: Yale Daily News) Other schools, businesses, etc. who share the Bulldog mascot include: