- 1979
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Training Years for Coach Gregg Popovich
Popovich returned to the Air Force Academy as an assistant coach in 1973 under head coach Hank Egan, a position he held for six years. Egan later became an assistant coach under Popovich for the San Antonio Spurs. During his time with the coaching staff of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Popovich attended the University of Denver and earned his ...
History of the Falcons
The Air Force Falcons are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the United States Air Force Academy, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The athletics department has 17 men's and 10 women's NCAA-sanctioned teams. The current athletic director is Nathan Pine. The majority of Falcon teams compete as members of the Mountain West Conference.
The Air Force Falcons football program represents the United States Air Force Academy in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) level. Air Force has been a member of the Mountain West Conference since its founding in 1999. The Falcons play their home games at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Troy Calhoun has been the team's head coach since 2007.
The three major service academies—Air Force, Army, and Navy—compete for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy which is awarded to the academy that defeats the others in football that year (or retained by the previous winner in the event of a three-way tie).
College Sports Established
1855
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado
College Name
United States Air Force Academy
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1925 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
1999 - Present / Mountain West Conference
1980 – 1999 / Western Athletic Conference
1955 – 1979 / Independent
Nickname
Falcons - The Class of ‘59, the first class to enter the Academy, chose the falcon as the Cadet Wing mascot Sept. 25, 1955, as they believed it best characterized the combat role of the Air Force. They didn't specify a particular species, so any falcon can serve as mascot.
Some of the characteristics leading to its selection were: speed (Falcons can stoops or dive at 200 mph); powerful and graceful flight (the falcons’ strong and deep wing beats allow them to maneuver with ease); courage (falcons are fearless and aggressive and will fiercely defend their nest and young against intruders. They've also been known to attack and kill prey twice their size); keen eyesight (approximately eight times more accurate than a man’s); alertness; regal carriage; and noble tradition.
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.