Hey Bulldog!

By DEVIN HEILMAN

Staff Writer

COEUR d’ALENE — The menacing, snarly-looking bulldog painted on the east side of the Rocker Room in downtown Coeur d'Alene is quite the welcoming sight for Gonzaga University fans.

Although the bulldog was painted two years ago, Rocker Room owner and longtime Zags fan Dave Pulis is especially happy about the mural this week while the Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team is making history.

“We love Gonzaga, and everybody here involved in the bar are big fans,” Pulis said Tuesday. "We just wanted to make a statement. A lot of people like it."

Gonzaga will compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's March Madness Final Four for the first time Saturday, and it's giving Northwest fans Zags fever.

“The West Virginia game really proved to me that they can overcome just about anything,” Pulis said. "I think they’re the most talented team left in the tournament. They’ve already shown that they can overcome adversity, and I think they’ve got as good a shot as anybody to win the whole thing."

The 8-foot-by-8-foot mural was created by Justin Cooper, the owner and solo artist of Lifestylz Arts in Coeur d'Alene. He has painted several Seattle Seahawks murals, including the one next to the bulldog on Rocker Room's wall, but this was his first time bringing Spike the Bulldog to life.

"It's my first Zags mural. It came out pretty well overall," Cooper said. "I’m cheering them on. They got their first Final Four at this point, they should just take it all."

The Rocker Room, 216 Coeur d'Alene Ave., will open early at 2 p.m. Saturday so patrons can watch the game against the University of South Carolina. The bar will have drink specials and free pizza. The game begins at 3:09 p.m.

Pulis said the Rocker Room will have a huge party for the final game if the Zags win in the Final Four.

"It's a lot of fun," he said. "It creates a lot of excitement down here."