The Don of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to USF Athletics and its student-athletes. Joe Hallisy has dutifully served as the public address announcer for over 30 years and will be presented with the award at the Father Hubert "Hub" Flynn Hall of Fame Dinner on Feb. 22.
 
"I'm very honored by this selection," said Hallisy from the comfort of his seat at press row.  "Between the USF Athletics Department and St. Ignatius Church, many of the best people I've met in my life are right here on campus."
 
Beginning with his first men's basketball game on Nov. 29, 1986, Hallisy has called close to a 1,000 Dons' home events, including women's basketball and volleyball contests. With his self-described "understated" approach, Hallisy has realized fans are there to watch the game.
 
A retired firefighter, Hallisy has spent a lifetime giving back to his community. He headed up the FLAME program during his last years with the SFFD as part of a lifetime commitment to physical education among the youth of San Francisco. He is in his 43rd year of teaching elementary physical education at St. Thomas Apostle School at 39th and Balboa.
 
His roots to USF run deep. His father, Joe, was a member of the soccer team for the Dons during the mid-1930s before going on to a long career with the San Francisco Police Department. His brother, Jim, is a 1968 USF graduate.  His wife, Claudine graduated in the class of 1976 and his daughter Kelly was a member of the Class of 2013.
 
"Joe Hallisy is one of the true icons in the city of San Francisco," said Director of Athletics Scott Sidwell. "His community service and commitment to kids for so many decades has made a difference in the thousands of lives he has touched. And at a university that challenges us to 'Change the world from here,' Joe has certainly been the embodiment of that. We are grateful for his contributions to USF athletics and we are proud to call him our 2019 Don of the Year."

USF's Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2019, the 45th group of inductees, includes: Teresa (Russell) Fowler '04 (volleyball), Chubby Cox '78 (men's basketball), John Cox '05 (men's basketball), Dominique Carter '08 (women's basketball), Coach Walt Bugler 1976-80 (women's basketball), and Felipe Magalhaes '81 (men's soccer), as well as the 2009 women's cross country team.

With the inclusion of the new members, USF's Athletics Hall of Fame now includes 278 individuals and 23 teams.
 
Formal induction ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 22 during the Father Hubert "Hub" Flynn Hall of Fame Dinner at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center. The festivities will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the dinner program at 7:30 p.m. The inductees will also be honored at the women's basketball game on Feb. 23 against Gonzaga.
                                                                                                                                        
Individual reservations for the Father Hubert "Hub" Flynn Hall of Fame Dinner are priced at $100 while a table of 10 may be purchased for $900.