I am proud to be a student at Butler University; I am proud to call myself a Bulldog. March Madness starts with Selection Sunday on March 12th and I cannot wait to see the Butler University Bulldogs take March Madness by storm. If you're not a Butler Bulldog, a fan of the Butler Bulldogs, or have not decided a team to cheer on during March Madness, here are 25 (because 25 is Steven Bennett's number) reasons why you should root for the Butler Bulldogs.
1. Trip - Butler Blue III
Butler University doesn't just have a mascot in a costume; we have an actual Bulldog who runs across the court at every home game. He's even been to Madison Square Garden (where he puked on the court).
2. Beating Villanova
Butler has handed Villanova two of their three losses this season- including the one that ended the Villanova seniors' 48-0 record at home.
3. Family
The Butler Basketball team and fan base are a family. We support each other on and off the court.
4. Home Sweet Hinkle
The Bulldogs' home court is our beloved, historic Hinkle Fieldhouse- almost 100 years old. Fun fact- when home sweet Hinkle was built, it was the largest basketball arena in the United States.
5. The Dawg Pound
The student fan base at Butler is nicknamed the Dawg Pound where students stand and cheer enthusiastically the entire game with smiles and signs. For some Big East Games, you have to show up over an hour and a half early to get a seat in this beloved student section.
6. The War Song
Butler doesn't have a fight song- we have a war song. We are actually one of the few schools in the United States to have a war song.
7. Sold-Out Hinkle Fieldhouse
There is no feeling like walking into a sold-out Hinkle Fieldhouse and feeling the passion and spirit in the air.
8. The Cheerleaders
Butler's cheerleaders keep the crowd going for the entirety of the game through various chants, stunts, and t-shirt tosses.
9. The Butler Dance Team
At every home game, the Butler Dance Team performs a well-choreographed number to keep fans excited even during timeouts.
10. Andrew Smith
The Bulldogs play every game with Andrew Smith in mind. Andrew Smith was a fantastic Butler Bulldog who loved Butler Basketball. Sadly, he passed away a little over a year ago, but the Bulldogs will forever carry on his legacy.
11. Chris Holtmann
Butler fans love Chris Holtmann and what he has done for the Butler Basketball team. He has been our head coach since the 2015 season and has a 67-28 record with the Bulldogs.
12. The Players
We love our Butler Basketball players. I wish I could describe how much we love them and endlessly cheer for them, but that would make this article way too long.
13. Joel Cornette
Another beloved Bulldog who we lost too soon, but just like Andrew Smith, the basketball team carries on his legacy through the sport and with the help of his brother Jordan, a Fox Sports Analyst.
14. Students
The members of the basketball team are just like any other Butler University student; they go to class and they go to the on-campus Starbucks. You can pass them in an academic building and give them a high-five. They'll hold the door open for you.
15. The statistics
Three Butler Bulldogs average 10+ points per game. Kelan Martin, Andrew Chrabascz, and Kamar Baldwin.
Six Bulldogs have steals in the double digits for the entire season. Kamar Baldwin, Andrew Chrabascz, Kelan Martin, Tyler Wideman, and Tyler Lewis.
16. Unity
The team plays as one no matter the change in the starting line-up. Sure, some games we didn't play as unified as usual, however, at the end of each game, the Bulldogs know that they are a team.
17. Bumpy Roads
No season can be perfect. The Bulldogs have faced many challenges and bumps in the road this basketball season, but we bounce back each and every time.
18. The Indianapolis Fan Base
You don't have to be a Butler student, Butler graduate, or a family member of a Butler Bulldog to root for the Bulldogs. We accept fans from all over the city of Indianapolis who just want to see a good game of basketball and experience Hinkle.
19. Out-of-State Fans
There are Bulldogs across the country and across the world. I have met fans who have traveled three plus hours just to see the Bulldogs play. (My parents are an excellent example- they drove 5 hours to see the Bulldogs beat Marquette).
20. Loud and Proud
Our school may not be the biggest school in the Big East, but we don't let that stop us from cheering on the Bulldogs just as loudly as any other fanbase.
21. The Butler Way
We do things the Butler Way; with humility, passion, unity, servanthood, and thankfulness. Tony Hinkle taught his players the Butler Way and every player since has learned the Butler Way.
22. Brad Stevens
Brad Stevens coached the Bulldogs to two Final Fours (the first two in Butler History). He is now a coach for the NBA's Boston Celtics, but he remains a loyal Bulldog and continues to cheer on the team despite the distance and his change in title.
23. National Championship Title
We may not have a national championship title, but we rise to every occasion. We want a national championship title and are willing to climb the staircase and fight the Butler battle.
24. Preseason Ranking
In the Big East preseason poll, Butler was ranked 6th out of the 10 Big East teams. Well, look at us now. We're currently ranked 2nd and we like the view.
25. We are dogs.
"I am a dog. Not an underdog; a dog. A mean dog. A junkyard dog. A dog that belongs behind a big fence with a big sign that says BEWARE in big letters. And yes, my bark is just as bad as my bite. Forget about my size. Worry about the fact that I just ate a T-Bone steak and I'm still quite hungry. Worry about a beast that doesn't know when to quit, no matter what seed you put me at. And if your ball lands in my yard, consider it gone. I am not an underdog, I'm the top dog. And you'll be seeing me around your neighborhood from now on."
