History of the Bulldogs
The Yale Bulldogs are the intercollegiate athletic teams representing Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut. The school sponsors 35 varsity sports. The school has won two NCAA national championships in women's fencing, four in men's swimming and diving, 21 in men's golf, one in men's hockey, one in men's lacrosse, and 16 in sailing.
College Sports Established
1701
Location
New Haven, Connecticut
College Name
Yale University
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division I
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
1954 - Present / Ivy League
Nickname
Bulldogs - Yale was the first college in the U.S. to adopt a live animal mascot, and to this day, Handsome Dan remains the most well-known. The legacy of Handsome Dan was established by Andrew B. Graves from the Class of 1892, a member of both the crew and football teams, who originated the Yale mascot name for the English bulldog. Legend holds that Graves had seen a bulldog sitting in front of a local shop, and purchased him from a New Haven blacksmith for just $5. However, Harper, also a bulldog, was recorded to be the predecessor of Handsome Dan.
In the early 1890s, Handsome Dan I was dubbed the “Yale mascot.” Before baseball and football games, the purebred bulldog was led across the field, and the ritual soon became a tradition at Yale’s major sporting events, meant to bestow confidence and prosperity upon the athletes. After Graves graduated and moved to England, Dan I stayed behind with Graves’ younger brother, fellow Yale undergraduate William Leon Graves, where Dan I continued to symbolize athleticism and confidence across campus.
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
