Athletic Department Releases New Campaign: #ForTheV
The hashtag you should be using here in the valley.
The #FortheV campaign launched in July and is a modernized and more community-focused version of “Pride of The Valley.”
“The pride and tradition of the Bulldogs is, and always will be, rooted in the Central Valley,” said Stephen Trembley, director of Strategic Communications for Fresno State Athletics.
Pat Hill, who coached Fresno State Football from 1997 to 2011, created the V as a symbol of the San Joaquin Valley, and it then became a well-known logo representing numerous aspects of Fresno State.
Victor E. Mascot III’s name was a stem from the symbol made back in 1997.
Andrew Worth, who is the director of creative services for the athletic department said the V is a huge part of this campaign.
“We went with “For the V” because we have to recognize all that stuff that we just went through,” Worth said. “We didn’t want to reinvent ‘Pride of the Valley,’ but we wanted to make sure that ‘For the V’ and what the V stands for is here in this community.”
The intended audience for this campaign is not directed at one specific group but was created to encompass all of the different cultures within the San Joaquin Valley.
“I think the hard part is, who do we represent? It’s everybody,” said Worth. “You have to try to figure out how to include everybody because the Central Valley is so diverse.”
After all, diversity is a huge factor at Fresno State and despite differences, athletics gives these groups a reason to gather as one giant group: Bulldogs.
When asked about the difference between “Pride of the Valley” and #FortheV, Worth talked about how #FortheV was created to bring back the pride the people of the valley felt before the pandemic.
“Why rethink or reinvent the wheel when you’ve already got this car that you can move forwards, so we went with the V,” said Worth. “Part of it was just kind of re-instilling that energy in the valley and Fresno State’s community.”
By creating this outlet for people to use to share their emotions and efforts, it has given them a platform to gather with fellow bulldogs and bulldog fans.
Frank Pucher, the senior associate athletics director for external relations, said there are plenty of ways community members can take part in the new campaign.
“Having pride in the valley, that could mean you could be wearing your Bulldog gear and being proud of where you’re from ,” Pucher said. “It could be posting on social digital media in whatever way you feel proud of. It can be coming to the games and buying tickets and doing those types of things.”
A video released by Fresno State Athletics to kick start this campaign, shows some examples of how people have been taking part in this movement.
This campaign’s main intention is to give back to those who endlessly support the valley and the university overall.
“We want you to understand that we recognize you and we see the hard work and the time and the money and the commitment that you give to us and us being not just the department but obviously our student athletes and coaches,” said Worth.
If you search for #FortheV on multiple media platforms, you will find stories from people in the community, athletics, academics, and other honorable members of the valley on why they are proud to be a part of the “Green V.”