University of San Francisco Dons

The University of San Francisco started playing football in 1917 as the Grey Fog. Later, they became the Dons. In 1951, they went undefeated and were considered the best team in the West. The program was suffering financially, and a bowl bid would have saved it. They might have been able to play in the Orange Bowl, but the segregated South wouldn’t allow Black players. They voted not to accept an invitation if offered, and the football program was dropped because of financial problems. A tackle intramural league brought back the game in 1956, including a combined team made up of the best players from the three intramural six-man football teams to play SF State’s Reserves. This continued for a number of years until they began playing JCs, military teams, and JV or Frosh teams, moving on to small colleges. In 1966, they played against all varsity teams. There were more financial difficulties, resulting in dropping the program until 1981. Their last season was in 1982, again suffering from lack of money.

DII 14 sports teams

Total students: 8,913, undergraduates 5,287, graduates 3,504