Why the Dons
"Don" is an acronym for De Origen Noble, which translates to "of noble origin" and is a Spanish title given only to a noble person of political, social or official distinction. The name references the early history of California and San Francisco, which was marked by the exploits of the adventuresome and swashbuckling Spanish Dons. All USF students and alumni are of noble origin who share in the long passion for learning in order to better understand the past, clarify the present and anticipate the future. Thus, we are proud to call ourselves the Dons.
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USF's mascot is named Don Francisco, in honor of Don Francisco de Haro, the first mayor of San Francisco.
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History of the Nickname
In November of 1931, USF's student body president, George Ososke, received a letter from the San Francisco Junior Chamber of Commerce critical of the university's use of the term "Grey Fog" to designate its athletic teams. The Junior Chamber of Commerce felt that the name did not give a positive image to the city and potentially hurt advertising. TheÂ
Foghorn published a series of letters addressing the issue of a possible change for the athletic teams, followed by a contest to come up with a new name. Student interest in the contest for a new name for the athletic teams was minimal and only a few names were submitted, including the Vigilantes, Golden Gaters, Seagulls, Seals and Sea Lions. These and other possible names were voted on by a committee composed of four undergraduates, four alumni and four administrators selected by USF President Edward Whelan, S.J. In January of 1932, theÂ
Foghorn announced the new name for the university's athletic teams: the Dons. Jack Rhode, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences and sports editor of theÂ
Foghorn, had the honors of having his suggestion chosen as the official nickname of for the university. -Â
Legacy & Promise, 150 Years of Jesuit Education at the University of San Francisco by Alan Ziajka
USF Victory Song
Words and music by John "Bud" Smith '31
Alma Mater loyal and true
All our hearts we pledge to you
Send forth your sons and daughters gloriously
Onward to victory
On to victory
We're out to win today here's why
For the green and gold
The Dons are going in to do or die
Win or lose today
We're gonna try and try the same old way
And with all our might
We're gonna fight, fight, fight
Fight, fight, fight
On to victory
Onward USF
Our college here beside the sea
All together now
We're going onward on to victory
Let the Dons roll
And keep them rolling, rolling across their goal
And with all our might
We're gonna fight, fight, fight
Fight, fight, fight
On to victory!
Hail San Francisco (alma mater)
By Francis J. Colligan '29
Hail San Francisco!
Hail to thee,
Enthroned beside the western sea,
Thy storied past shall ever be
Our theme of loving song!
Unfurl thy banners Green and Gold,
As echoes ev'ry hill and vale,
The homage of our grateful hearts
All hail to thee, all hail!
