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Erin Bell and Griff I

Griff I

Griff I was the first bulldog to serve in Drake University’s official Live Mascot Program, setting the standard for what it means to represent the Bulldog spirit. With quiet confidence and steady presence, he became a familiar and trusted figure across campus.

Griff I

Live Mascot Tenure
October, 2015—June, 2020

Born on May 8, 2012, in Canada, Griff I—affectionately referred to as the OG (Original Griff)—joined the Drake University family in October of 2015 following a short career as an accomplished Champion Show Dog. He served as the school’s first-ever official live mascot for five years, continuing the legacy of the unofficial live mascot, Porterhouse.

Griff I was named after former Drake University athletic director, football coach, and creator of the Drake Relays, John L. Griffith. Griffith was known for bringing his two English bulldogs to the sidelines of Drake football games, and their interaction with fans caused the Des Moines Register to start calling Drake's players the Bulldogs. This new nickname stuck around, and it is because of his legacy that Drake is the Bulldogs today.

Griff I followed in Porterhouse's paw prints, launching the University’s official live mascot program. Griff I was succeeded in 2020 by his brother Griff II (George), and enjoyed nearly four years of his well-earned retirement.

During Griff I’s reign as mascot, he welcomed countless students, charmed community members and returning alumni, appeared on the sidelines at home sporting events, never missed a Drake Relays, cheered on new graduates at commencement, and received autographs and behind-the-ear scratches from 17 presidential candidates during the 2019–2020 election cycle.

Home Life

Griff I—who lived with his family of Associate Director of Marketing and Live Mascot Program Manager Erin Bell, her husband Kevin, and their two children—officially retired in 2020. After his retirement, Griff I enjoyed snoring loudly on the Bells’ couch, celebrating birthdays and holidays with family, and serving as a foster brother to several bulldogs in need. The Bells have been the caretakers of every live mascot beginning with Porterhouse.

Legacy

Griff I left behind a legacy of giving and is most remembered for his ability to rally and unite people on and off campus around a common cause. During his tenure, he founded Griff Gives Back, an annual pet food collection campaign that has resulted in more than 100,000 pounds of food donated for The Pet Project Midwest. He was a certified therapy dog who extended support to many community members, and he regularly collected non-perishable goods and hygiene products for the Little Free Pantries located on campus and in the Drake Neighborhood.

In Fall 2020, Bulldog Plaza was built outside of Old Main, featuring a bronze statue of Griff I. The plaza was made possible thanks to the support of Bob, LA’74, and Pam Lees and their family on behalf of three generations of Drake alumni.

Bulldog Plaza - Griff I statue

“I have loved every minute of caring for Griff I. He was an integral part of my family—and the heart of the Drake community—for eight years. He was the perfect bulldog to launch Drake University’s official live mascot program, continuing the legacy of Porterhouse and building a strong foundation for the program to build upon with Griff II. He radiated a sense of joy, strength, loyalty, and kindness that uniquely united and inspired the Bulldog community. I will miss him terribly, as will so many others. It is not lost on me how fortunate I was to be the one holding his leash and taking him home at night. He was the best boy, and I couldn’t have possibly loved him more.”
Erin Bell
Associate Director, Live Mascot Program