The San Francisco Dons history is filled with success and tradition across college athletics. Known for excellence in San Francisco Dons basketball and a strong legacy in San Francisco Dons baseball, the University of San Francisco has built a proud reputation of producing championship teams, outstanding athletes, and unforgettable moments throughout its storied athletic past.
College Sports Established
1855
Location
San Francisco, California
College Name
University of San Francisco
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1952 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
1952 - Present / West Coast Conference
Nickname
Dons - The San Francisco Dons are among the most iconic college sports teams in the United States. Not only do they have a long and storied history, but their nickname has an interesting origin story that all sports fans should know about.
San Francisco Dons Origin
The name “Dons” was adopted by the University of San Francisco (USF) in 1922 as an homage to Spain's Don Quixote de La Mancha, who embodied courage and chivalry. The school wanted to use this same spirit when it came to athletics, so they decided on “Dons” as their mascot name for its football team—and eventually, other athletic teams at USF followed suit with similar nicknames like "Donnas" for women's basketball and "Donnies" for men's soccer.
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Today, the Dons remain a famous symbol of USF pride among students and alumni; however, many people don't know why this particular nickname was chosen or how it became a staple part of college athletics across America. In addition to being inspired by Don Quixote de La Mancha himself, the original choice also had something else: It fits perfectly with what is now known as West Coast Conference rivalries – which were very much alive during those early days.
This meant that whenever two schools from different conferences faced off against each other on game day—like Stanford vs. Cal or USC vs. UCLA —they could be referred casually referred to simply as ‘the Dons' without any confusion between them because both sides would already understand what that meant: A battle between two proud universities fighting fiercely under one unified banner!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 2
1956, 1955
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1932
- 1949
- 1977
- 2005
- 2008
- 2016
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Origin of San Fransisco Dons Mascot
Teams were originally known as the “Grey Fog”, and red and blue were Saint Ignatius College’s colors. However, as the college began to develop an identity distinct from the high school—the college became the University of San Francisco in 1930—it adopted green and gold as its colors in 1927 and chose the Don as its mascot in 1932 -
San Francisco Dons basketball achievements
USF is best known for its basketball program. The men’s basketball team have won three national titles: the 1949 NIT under Pete Newell and the 1955 and 1956 NCAA championships under Phil Woolpert. The latter two were led by future National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame members Bill Russell and K.C. Jones. -
Dons Basketball Powerhouse Era
USF retained its status as a basketball powerhouse into the 1970s and early 80s, holding the distinction of being a “major” program in a “mid-major” conference (the WCC having declined somewhat in stature since the 1960s). It held the number-one spot in the polls on numerous occasions. In 1977, led by All-American center Bill Cartwright, the Dons went 29–0 and ... -
Banner Year for Dons Baseball Team
2005 was a banner year for the baseball program, as the Diamond Dons finished with a 38–18 record (the best in team history), placed eight players in the all-conference team and earned Nino Giarrantano coach of the year honors. -
Basketball Coach Rex Walters
Rex Walters was named as the Dons’ head coach on April 14, 2008. On March 9, 2016, after eight seasons during which the Dons were unable to do more than break even (127-127), athletic director Scott Sidwell fired Walters. -
Kyle Smith
On March 30, 2016, Kyle Smith was named as the new head coach. Prior to joining USF, Smith had spent the prior six years as head coach of the Columbia University basketball team. For nine years prior to that, he was assistant coach at Saint Mary’s College of California, which went to the Sweet 16 in his final year.
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San Francisco Dons History
The San Francisco Dons history stands as one of the most celebrated in NCAA athletics, especially known for their fierce rivalry with the Saint Mary’s Gaels. Established in 1917, the Dons quickly became a powerhouse in college sports. The team made national headlines after securing back-to-back NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956, becoming one of the few programs in history to achieve that feat.
The San Francisco Dons basketball program is the cornerstone of the university’s athletic success. During the 1950s, the Dons dominated college basketball, thanks to their fast-paced and defensive style of play. Led by Hall of Famer Bill Russell, the team completed an undefeated season in 1956, finishing with a 29–0 record and earning their second consecutive national title. Their dominance not only shaped the identity of USF athletics but also influenced the evolution of modern basketball.
The San Francisco Dons baseball program has also played a vital role in shaping the university’s athletic legacy. Competing in the West Coast Conference, the baseball team has developed several talented players who went on to professional careers in Major League Baseball. Their dedication to excellence continues to make them one of the most respected baseball programs in the region.
Dons Achievements
Over the decades, the San Francisco Dons basketball program produced numerous legendary athletes. Alongside Bill Russell, players like K.C. Jones, John Cox III, KJ Feagin, and Darrell Tucker left their mark on the court. Feagin, who earned the 2017 WCC Player of the Year award, and Tucker, named National Freshman of the Year in 1981, represent the program’s commitment to player development and competitive excellence.
Today, the San Francisco Dons history continues to grow stronger through consistent success across all sports. Under talented coaching staffs, both the basketball and baseball programs remain competitive in the West Coast Conference. The Dons’ achievements reflect the university’s tradition of athletic excellence, teamwork, and academic integrity.
Fans of the San Francisco Dons basketball and San Francisco Dons baseball programs can take pride in supporting one of the most historic and successful athletic institutions in the NCAA. From championship banners to legendary players, the San Francisco Dons history remains an inspiring example of what dedication, leadership, and community spirit can achieve.
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