It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Bulldog1!

Fresno State Athletics has released its biggest splash for its marketing plans during the 2015-16 season — a half of a football field length blimp, Bulldog1.

Bulldog1 took to the air on Aug. 13 above Bulldog Stadium for the first open scrimmage of the year. The flight gave fans the first look at what will be an intricate part to Fresno State’s promotional plans for the season.

“We were looking for a unique splash to kick off the 2015 athletic season,” Fresno State senior associate athletic director Paul Ladwig said in a press release. “By partnering with the best aerial marketing firm, we are able to use this iconic platform to engage our Bulldog community.”

According to a press release via Fresno State Athletics, a five-year agreement was reached with Boling Air Media of Fresno for the use of the blimp and other planned aerial campaigns. The lease for the blimp was privately funded.

The full-size blimp has grabbed the attention of most of Fresno, taken the Central Valley by storm and made national news as one of the first collegiate blimps in the country. It has gained coverage by USA Today and news teams up and down the valley.

The 150-foot blimp is highlighted with a four-paw dog logo as well as banners on both sides that can be used for messaging or co-branding with sponsors. The blimp has been seen sporting a banner that reads “See You At The Game!” in preparation for the first home game of the upcoming football season.

“It was pretty cool and a neat national story,” head football coach Tim DeRuyter said. “When it went up the other night, the players were like, ‘what is that.’”

Bulldog1 has been seen around town and will continue to soar over Fresno for the remainder of the month. The blimp will make its official takeoff in front of its biggest audience on Sept. 3 for the first football game of the season when the Bulldogs take on the Abilene Christian Wildcats.

The blimp will be seen during the duration of the football season at Bulldog Stadium. Other aerial campaigns for the 2015-16 season, including possibly during some of the road games this year, will be announced in the near future.