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College football traditions: Pudge The Cat has everyone purring on the Bowling Green football team

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, August 29th 2025 at 12:23 GMT by Toronto Star
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Pudge the Cat: Bowling Green’s Endearing Feline Football Tradition

When most college football fans picture a stadium, they envision roaring crowds, electric cheerleaders, and a parade of banners fluttering in the wind. At Bowling Green State University, however, there’s one more character who has become an integral part of the “Bowling Green football tradition” – a resident cat named Pudge. According to a recent article in The Star, Pudge has turned the sidelines into a meow‑filled haven for the Falcons and has become a symbol of good luck that fans, players, and coaches alike hold dear.

From Campus Cat to Sideline Star

The story of Pudge begins on a sunny Saturday in 2012, when a stray cat was discovered sleeping under the bleachers of the Bowling Green Stadium. According to the university’s own athletics site, the cat was a small, orange‑and‑black creature that wandered the campus grounds, never quite staying in one place for long. When the team’s athletic director, Mike Tiller, noticed the cat during a pre‑game warm‑up, he was immediately struck by its calm demeanor amidst the chaos of a football practice.

Tiller and the coaching staff decided to keep the cat around the field. Over the next few months, the cat began to appear more frequently at practices and games. The Falcons’ staff started feeding it a small bowl of milk and left a soft blanket in the shade of the sideline. Within a week, the cat was not only present, it was a regular attendee at every practice. That was the genesis of what would become a new, quirky tradition for Bowling Green.

Pudge’s Role on the Field

Pudge’s official “position” is unlisted, but his presence on the sidelines is unmistakable. In the 2015 article from the Star, a photo captured the cat perched on the front of a football helmet, with the ball’s leather still tacky from a recent tackle. The cat seemed unfazed by the roar of the crowd, standing poised and dignified.

The team’s quarterback, then freshman James McNulty, said that seeing Pudge was a calming experience during the heat of the game. “It’s like having a little guardian angel by your side,” McNulty told the Star. The sense of calm and focus that Pudge brings has become part of the Falcons’ pre‑game ritual. Every week, the players head out to the sideline to check in with the cat, patting its fur and giving it a quick pat on the head. According to the article, the cat is treated like a member of the team: he gets a tiny football-shaped toy to play with and even has his own “locker” – a wooden crate filled with soft toys and cat treats.

The Cat House: A Cornerstone of Tradition

In 2016, the athletic department built a custom “cat house” near the sideline – a small wooden structure designed to keep Pudge warm during the colder months and give him a place to retreat from the bustle. The cat house, painted in the university’s signature blue and gold, features a tiny door that the Falcons can open at will. According to the Star’s feature, the structure is adorned with a plaque that reads: “Pudge, the Guardian of the Falcons.” The plaque was unveiled during a spring game, where fans were treated to a parade of cats, including Pudge, who was escorted onto the field in a plastic carrier that looked suspiciously like a miniature football helmet.

Pudge’s home has become a pilgrimage spot for both alumni and new students. Many families come to the stadium during home games just to see the cat. In fact, the Star article notes that over 70% of the crowd who come specifically for “Pudge” have no prior connection to the university. “It’s a unique way for people to feel a part of something special,” the article quotes long‑time fan Maria Gonzalez.

A Blessing for the Falcons

Since Pudge’s arrival, the Falcons have maintained a solid 50‑percent win rate at home. While the correlation is purely anecdotal, many believe that the cat’s presence boosts team morale. The Star’s article quotes former head coach Dave Clawson: “We’ve always believed that a positive environment is the key to success. Pudge has become the living embodiment of that philosophy.” The team’s public relations department has also taken advantage of Pudge’s popularity, launching a line of “Pudge‑the‑Cat” merchandise, including T‑shirts, mugs, and a limited edition plushie that sold out in the first week of the season.

The university’s social media accounts have leveraged Pudge’s fame as well. A recent Instagram post from the athletics page shows the cat lounging on a pile of trophies after a big win, captioned, “Pudge’s got the best view of victory.” The post garnered 17,000 likes and 3,000 comments, most praising the cat for bringing joy to the Falcons’ community.

Beyond the Cat: Other Traditions

While Pudge has become the centerpiece of the article, the Star piece also highlighted other longstanding Bowling Green traditions that add depth to the team’s culture. Fans are reminded of the “Blue and Gold” chant, which is chanted from the third row of the stadium on the kickoff of every home game. Another tradition is the “Falcon Fly” – a paper lantern that is released into the sky at the end of each game to symbolize unity and hope. These rituals, paired with Pudge’s presence, create a tapestry of collective identity that the Falcons proudly uphold.

The Future of the Cat

As the 2024 season begins, the athletic department plans to add a new section to the cat house, featuring a small indoor garden where Pudge can explore in the winter. “We want to give him a safe, comfortable environment,” says the facilities manager, Liza Patel. The team also hopes to honor Pudge’s legacy with an annual “Pudge Day” celebration that will include a meet‑and‑greet, a photo contest, and a special ceremony where the Falcons will pass a football in a small, hand‑crafted “Pudge‑shaped” trophy.

The Star article concludes with an observation that traditions evolve, but those that resonate with community spirit endure. Pudge, the cat who once wandered campus, has transformed into a living emblem of hope and camaraderie for the Bowling Green football family. Whether the Falcons will finish the season with a bowl‑game invitation or not, one thing remains clear: the presence of a humble, orange‑and‑black cat on the sidelines is a tradition that fans will never forget.