Athletics Department records, 1956-1993

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Summary

Title:
Athletics Department records
Dates:
1956-1993
Creators:
University of San Diego Athletics Department
Abstract:
The Athletic Department records contain the historical records of the University of San Diego Athletics Department. Records include administrative materials, newspaper clippings, and photographs.
Extent:
.75 Linear Feet (1 letter sized doc box and 1 letter sized half doc box)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Athletics Department records, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections. [Date accessed.]

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the historical records of the University of San Diego Athletics Department. Records include administrative memos, meeting minutes, correspondence, programs, and historical information, as well as newspaper clippings related to USD athletics. The records document the advancement of the athletics program, including budget planning, notable events such as the reintroduction of the football program and the move to Division I, and documentation of the recreation program that served the broader campus community.

Photographs and negatives from Crew Classics and a Crew alumni event are also included.

Biographical / historical:

Fon Johnson served as the first athletic director and the first basketball coach for the College for Men in 1955. He oversaw the creation of the football field which was completed in 1955. Gil Kuhn formed the USD Booster Club to help support the football program and coached the inaugural year of football. Desire for a football program was lackluster, however, and the program was discontinued in 1961. USD continued to compete in intercollegiate basketball, baseball, tennis, and golf. The athletic program reintroducing football in 1973 with an anonymous donation of $115,000 also adding soccer around that time. With the advent of Title IX in 1972, the athletics program grew to include female sports. Wendy Gilchrist competed in Tennis in 1971, and Terry Fowler competed as the first female swimmer in 1973. In 1978, the athletics program began moving from NCAA Division III to NCAA Division I, with the exception of the football program which remained Division III until 1993.

USD athletes were initially known as the Pioneers, but in 1961 the mascot changed to the Toreros. Torero is the Spanish word for bullfighter, and was chosen in part as a signifier of courage, honor, and fidelity.

Shortly after the College for Men and College for Women merged, emphasis was placed on the Recreation component of the Athletics Department. The aim was to provide extra-curricular activities for students as well as recreational activities for faculty, staff, and alumni.

Processing information:

This collection, USDA_2008_018, was processed by Tessie Camina in November 2008. Further processing was conducted by Ashley Toutain in 2016. Finding aid updated by Gabrielle Wood in 2025.

An album of 1986-1988 Crew photographs and negatives was located in 2019. These were removed from the album to archival sleeves and folders for preservation.

Arrangement:

The Athletics Department records are arranged into three series:

Series I. Administrative Records

Series II. News Clippings

Series III. Photographs

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Ashley Toutain in 2016. Updated by Gabrielle Wood in 2025.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-12-09 10:52:24 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Athletics Department records are the physical property of the University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections. Copyright, except in cases where material has passed into the public domain, belongs to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns.

Preferred citation:

[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Athletics Department records, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections. [Date accessed.]

Location of this collection:
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110 2492, US
Contact:
(619) 260-2730
spcoll@sandiego.edu
Website