University of San Francisco Athletics is pleased to announce the formation of the Dons Leadership Program, a wide-ranging initiative designed to support and enrich the experience of student-athletes, coaches and staff. The program will build upon athletic experiences that provide leadership lessons for life.
 
The Dons Leadership Program was made possible by Roger and Claudia Salquist, whose lead gift of $250,000 will enhance initiatives in athletic performance, leadership training and facility enhancement. The Salquist family has a long-standing relationship with USF Athletics providing the lead gift for the renovation of the intercollegiate weight room in War Memorial Gym last summer.
 
"Roger and Claudia Salquist continue to invest in the lives of USF student-athletes and coaches by providing them with the best opportunities to excel in each of our Four Pillars of Success," said Director of Athletics Scott Sidwell. "Their commitment and engagement to the Dons Leadership Program will give our student-athletes the support they need to Aim Higher!"
 
The Dons Leadership Program is aimed to enhance the department's athletic performance initiatives, specifically in the areas of sports medicine, strength and conditioning, mental performance and sports nutrition. The program will also support the department's increased commitment to leadership training for all student-athletes, coaches and staff by supporting programs such as monthly Dons Dinners, speaker series, seminars and town hall meetings with the director of athletics and coaches.
 
"I am pleased Roger and Claudia Salquist have made this additional investment in USF Athletics, this time directly enhancing the education of our athletes in sports and creating leaders in the community," said University President Paul Fitzgerald, S.J.. "With the Salquist's support, we will graduate student-athletes who have a holistic Jesuit education wherein their athletic participation was woven seamlessly into their overall USF transformative experience."
 
In conjunction with a larger capital campaign that is aimed to significantly upgrade all of USF's athletic facilities, the lead gift will provide funds to further enhance the intercollegiate weight room, the Regen Nutrition Center, student-athlete study hall and sports medicine center. The Dons Leadership Program will further enhance the integration of USF Athletics into the greater university community.
 
About USF Athletics
The University of San Francisco is committed to excellence in athletics as part of a larger commitment to educating students in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. USF Athletics is built upon Four Pillars of Success that aim to develop young men and women in this tradition: Excel in the Classroom; Win at the Highest Level of Competition; Engage in the Community; and Become Leaders in the World. USF Athletics strives to develop programs of national distinction while providing our student-athletes with a world-class educational experience at one of the nation's leading Jesuit institutions. Educational opportunities, programs that compete at the highest levels of competition and student-athletes who become leaders in their chosen professions and communities are the cornerstones of USF Athletics. A charter member of the West Coast Conference, USF sponsors 15 NCAA Division I programs comprised of over 250 student-athletes. USF teams have won 10 national championships and two individual titles.