San Francisco Dons

From Hoopedia

The San Francisco Dons is the nickname of the athletic teams at the University of San Francisco (USF).

Men's Basketball

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. The latter two were under Phil Woolpert, and led by player and National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell. After shutting down briefly from 1982 to 1985, the program has steadily progressed, returning to the NCAA tournament in 1998 under Phil Mathews and earning a 2005 NIT berth under present coach Jessie Evans.

Center Bill Russell and guard K.C. Jones led the Dons to 56 consecutive victories and NCAA Championships in 1955 and 1956 (although Jones missed four games of the 1956 tournament because his eligibility had expired).

Women's Basketball

Women's basketball also experienced recent successes, including appearances in the NCAA women's tournament in 1995, 1996, and 1997 and a WNIT berth in 2002. The 1996 season represented their best ever, as the women's team made it into the tournament's Sweet Sixteen. The team is presently coached by Tanya Haave.