FRESNO -- The Fresno State Bulldogs logo is a fierce-looking creature, even with a collegiate red sweater with a green "V" on his chest.
The "V" represents the Central Valley and its blue-collar workers -- among them hardworking Latinos, many of whom came to the valley to work in the agricultural fields and who have adopted the Bulldogs as their athletic team of choice.
"Whether you went to Fresno State or not, up here you root for Fresno State," said Jose Plascencia, incoming president for the Central Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Plascencia received a master's degree in business from Fresno State but said that even if he didn't, "I'd still wear the Bulldog with pride. It stands for the community."
It also has come to stand for something else:
Membership in a large and notorious Central Valley gang called the Bulldogs.
Beginning in the 1980s Fresno State's fearsome mascot became a symbol of gang violence.
About two years ago, city officials and the police department began a public crackdown on the gang and even now grade school and high school students here can't wear Fresno State gear to school.
It isn't a subject Fresno State coaches or officials shy away from.
"We'll help the police in whatever they need to do," football Coach Pat Hill said, "but since the time I came here my point has been to make Fresno State the team for everyone in the Central Valley, whether they are white or black or Hispanic or Hmong."
Hill, who brings his 25th-ranked Bulldogs to the Rose Bowl today to play UCLA, has always had grand visions for his used-to-be-easily-overlooked football team.
When he came to Fresno 12 years ago, Hill promised to "play anyone anywhere any time" and eventually get the Bulldogs into a major bowl game even though they play in the Western Athletic Conference, which is not part of the Bowl Championship Series.
That mission isn't totally accomplished, but it no longer seems impossible.
And Hill has other visions now.
As he drove his red Hummer to his Monday radio show at a local kitchen and bath display showroom -- pizza and salad served on display counters while questions arose about the defensive line and last week's dramatic 55-54 double-overtime win at Toledo -- Hill was excited about a new spin on an old idea.
Wouldn't it be wonderful, Hill said, if Fresno State football could mimic Notre Dame football?
