University of San Francisco Athletics

Donald R. Giesen was born on September 8, 2927 in San Francisco, CA. He was an All-City basketball star for Washington High school. The University of San Francisco offered him a scholarship, where he studied Business Administration, and played basketball on the highly regarded USF team. Giesen and his 1949 USF teammates achieved national prominence by winning the National Collegiate Division I basketball Championship.

After graduating from USF in 1951 with a Bachelors in History, he served in the United States Army. Later, Giesen began a 36 year career in sales and field claims for the Sentry Insurance Company. His true passion was his family and basketball. He played the game for more than 45 years, finally hanging up his sneakers in his early sixties. During the past 35 years, He coached and mentored kids throughout northern California. His knowledge of the game of basketball, along with a unique teaching style, allowed "Geese" to positively impact the lives of hundreds of kids (SFGate).
His son Wayne played baseball at College of Marin and at USF.