Bulldog Beauty Contest Highlights Beautiful Butler Homecoming

Another homecoming weekend has come and gone at Butler University and if there could be one word to describe it all, “beautiful” certainly comes to mind.

It truly was beautiful; all of it from the weather, to the campus, the people, the tailgate, the facilities, the parade, the school spirit, and of course, all 117 bulldogs and their owners who participated in this year’s Bulldog Beauty Contest presented by the Ovid Butler Society.

Check out pictures of this year’s event, courtesy of Rick Miller.

2011 marked the 11^th anniversary (12^th if we’re being honest) of the Bulldog Beauty Contest, which in its own right was the best and most beautiful to date. With 117 bulldogs taking to the catwalk and stage before a standing room only crowd surrounding 250-seat bleachers, the bright sun served as a spotlight against a fall collegiate backdrop. Beautiful.

Sponsors & Prizes
Once again this year, our “Best-in-Show” (see Batman & Robin below) took home a year’s supply of Holistic Select, a prize basket from City Dogs Grocery, fancy sash, stout trophy, official certificate and bragging rights. Our other category winners all took home sashes, certificates, trophies and prize baskets as well and all participants took home a goodie bag. Special thanks to our sponsors Holistic Select, City Dogs Grocery, Woodland Animal Hospital, Good Dog Hotel & Spa, Firehouse, Don Hinds Ford and the Ovid Butler Society for the great prizes and goodie bags.

The hot pink "Dawgs" hat just makes the outfit.

Judges
Special thanks to our judges:
Gary Butkus – Alumni Board of Directors
J.J. DeBrosse – Ovid Butler Society
Rich Nye – WTHR, NBC-13
Kurt Phillips – Woodland Animal Hospital
Lisa Reyes – Holistic Select

And shout-out to my cyber judge, Rocky, who liked contestant No. 85 the best.

Humble, but Beautiful Beginnings

Of course, this event wasn’t always so robust, revered and celebrated.

The Bulldog Beauty Contest began in 2000 after Butler Blue I was given to the university by Frank and Jeane King of Kong King Kennel. The Office of Alumni and Parent Programs had the idea of adding the contest to the bill of Homecoming festivities and little did they know a new tradition was born.

As fate would have it, the host of the inaugural event was a green around the ears junior student and member of the Butler University Student Foundation (BUSF), Michael Kaltenmark. Of course, that’s my “Pops” and he’s been hosting the event ever since.

Pops was joined that first year by partner in crime and now member of the Office of Admission staff, Chris Potts. The co-hosts oversaw a competition of eight dogs (five of which were pups from one litter brought over by the Kings) and judging was done by audience applause.

Needless to say, all dogs went home with a prize and despite the humble beginnings, the proud display of Butler’s noble mascot in varying forms really resonated with people. Over the next decade, the host has stayed the same, locations have changed, but growth has undeniably been the common theme.

More Bulldog Beauty Contest pics from my friend, Mr. Mike Thoney!

Fighting crime has never looked better!

A Decade of Growth

The growth of the Bulldog Beauty Contest can be measured in a variety of ways and all are key ingredients to the event’s success and wild popularity.

Last year we witnessed our most registered participants with over 135, which necessitated the dropping of the “Best Wannabe Bulldog” category this year and the non-bulldog breeds that went with it. Even at that, 117 bulldogs registered for this year’s contest which marks the most bulldogs we’ve ever had participate.

But participants aren’t the only visible sign of growth. Coverage in the news, standing room only crowds, a proper stage and runway, coveted judges’ spots and strong sponsorships providing incredible prizes are just a few other examples of how we’ve grown this thing.

Much like the Carpenters, I like to think, “we’ve only just begun.”

The Beholder’s Have Always Eyed Beauty

What will next year’s event hold? A few tweaks and surprises for sure, but rest assured that same Bulldog Beauty Contest charm will be the defining trait as it has been since the beginning. After all, that’s what has made us beautiful all along.

Twin brothers from other mothers.

Eight bulldogs or 117, we’re still going to try to put on the best Bulldog Beauty Contest in the land. As host dog, I guarantee it!

Thanks again to our participants, sponsors, judges, volunteers, and spectators for making this year’s event a huge success. Oh, and thanks to Cathy Kightlinger of The Indianapolis Star for coverage again this year. (Next year I’m aiming for TV cameras on hand too!)

Let the preparations for the 2012 Bulldog Beauty Contest begin!

Go Dawgs,

Blue II