FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2004

CONTACT: Dolph Pulliam, (515) 271-3084, dolph.pulliam@drake.edu
Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

60 DOGS TO COMPETE IN BEAUTIFUL BULLDOG CONTEST MONDAY

Sixty bulldogs will strut their stuff in the 25th annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest on Monday, April 19, at Nollen Plaza in downtown Des Moines. The winner will serve as Drake's official mascot for the 95th running of the Drake Relays April 22-24. The top dog also will receive a key to the city from Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie.

The contestants will be judged by a panel starting at 11 a.m. The pageant will follow at noon.

The judges are Drake President David Maxwell; Drake Student Body President Martha Fung; Jim Bowermaster, founder of the Beautiful Bulldog Contest; Max Rauer, longtime emcee for the competition; Bob Farinella, president of Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino; and Cheryl Paner, a WHO Radio personality.

"This year we will be celebrating the silver anniversary of the Beautiful Bulldog Contest, which has developed enthusiastic fan support and garnered media attention from all over the United States," said Dolph Pulliam, director of community outreach and development at Drake University. "We have 60 entries and that's the maximum number of dogs that we can accommodate."

The Beautiful Bulldog Contest is sponsored by Papa John's Pizza with support from members of the Bulldog Club of Central Iowa. Nite Owl Printing and the Vaudeville Mews also are sponsoring the contest along with media sponsor Clear Channel Radio.