San Diego State Aztecs

San Diego State Aztecs
University	San Diego State University
Conference	Mountain West Conference Golden Coast Conference (women's water polo) American Athletic Conference (women's rowing) Pac-12 Conference (men's soccer, until 2015)
NCAA	Division I
Athletic director	Jim Sterk
Location	San Diego, California
Varsity teams	17
Football stadium	Qualcomm Stadium
Basketball arena	Viejas Arena
Mascot	Aztec Warrior
Nickname	Aztecs
Colors	Scarlet and Black[1]
Website	www.goaztecs.com

The San Diego State Aztecs are the collegiate athletics and sports teams that represent San Diego State University (SDSU). San Diego State has organized programs for baseball, basketball, football, soccer, golf, gymnastics, rowing (crew), softball, tennis, track, swimming, diving, women's volleyball, and water polo.

The Aztecs compete in NCAA Division I (FBS for football). Its primary conference is the Mountain West Conference. The women's water polo team participates in the Golden Coast Conference, having moved from the Big West Conference in July 2013.^[2] The men's soccer team participates as an associate member of the Pac-12 Conference (or "Pac-12"). The women's rowing team is a member of the American Athletic Conference (The American), following moves from the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) to Conference USA (C-USA) in 2013^[3] and from C-USA to The American in 2014.^[4] San Diego State's football team had intended to move to the Big East Conference beginning in 2013 with the remainder of its current Mountain West sports moving to the Big West, but on January 17 it was reported that all of San Diego State's athletic teams would be readmitted to the Mountain West.^[5]

News reports (especially on local radio) often mention "Montezuma Mesa" or "news from the mesa" when discussing San Diego State-related sports events. The San Diego State campus is known as "Montezuma Mesa", as the university is situated on a mesa overlooking Mission Valley and is located at the intersection of Montezuma Road and College Avenue in the city of San Diego.

School colors

The school colors are scarlet (red), black and white.

Sports facilities

• Aztec Athletic Center
• Viejas Arena
• Qualcomm Stadium
• Mission Bay Aquatic Center (MBAC)
• Tony Gwynn Stadium
• Peterson Gymnasium
• Aztec Aquaplex
• San Diego State Sports Deck
• San Diego State Softball Stadium
• San Diego State Tennis Stadium
• San Diego State Practice Facility & Fields

Teams

Men	Women
Baseball	Basketball
Basketball	Cross Country
Football	Golf
Golf	Lacrosse
Soccer	Rowing
Tennis	Soccer
Water Polo	Softball
	Swimming & Diving
	Tennis
	Track & Field
	Volleyball
	Water Polo

National team championships

As of July 2, 2015, San Diego State has 1 NCAA team national championship.^[6]

• Men's (1)
  • Volleyball (1): 1973
• see also:
  • Mountain West Conference national team championships
  • List of NCAA schools with the most NCAA Division I championships

Below are the 8 non-division I NCAA National team titles:

• Men’s
  • Basketball (1): 1941 (NAIA)
  • Football (3): 1966, 1967, 1968 (Division II)
  • Rugby (1): 1987
• Women’s
  • Cheerleading (2): 2009, 2011
  • Dance (1): 2011

Varsity sports

Football

Interior of Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego State football game)

Current Head Coach: Rocky Long

San Diego State University's football team is part of the highest level of American collegiate football, the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I (which was formerly known as Division I-A). Until the 2010 season, the Aztec football team had not won a bowl game in the past 37 years.^[7] In his second year as head coach, Brady Hoke led the team to an 8–4 record in the 2010 regular season and a win in the 2010 Poinsettia Bowl, before accepting the head coaching job at the University of Michigan.

San Diego State athletics have contributed to the National Football League (NFL). NFL head coaches were members of the Aztec Football program:

• Brian Billick – NFL former head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, He returned to coaching with San Diego State University, serving as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator for five seasons (1981–1985). After being named the offensive coordinator of Utah State University, Billick improved the second-worst offense in Division I-A into a top-ten offense in only three seasons (1986–1988).
• Don Coryell – former NFL head coach of the San Diego Chargers, former Aztec head coach.
• Herman Edwards – NFL head coach of the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs, former Aztec and Philadelphia Eagles player. Fondly remembered for the "Miracle in the Meadowlands" play against the rival New York Giants.
• John Fox – former NFL head coach of the Carolina Panthers, former Aztec player.
• Joe Gibbs – Hall of Fame NFL head coach of the Washington Redskins, NASCAR team owner, former Aztec player and assistant coach.
• John Madden – Hall of Fame AFL/NFL head coach of the Oakland Raiders, former Aztec assistant coach.
• Ted Tollner – former NFL offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers, former Aztec head coach.
• Sean Payton – Head coach of the New Orleans Saints

Some of the more famous San Diego State students to later star in the NFL are:

See List of San Diego State football players

• Willie Buchanon – 1972 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and three-time Pro Bowl cornerback.
• Ken Burrow −1971 2nd round draft choice [Atlanta Falcons]Holds team record for Avg per catch 22.5 in a year.
• Isaac Curtis – 4-time Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals.
• Mike Douglass – A three-time Pro Bowl linebacker, "Mad Dog" played nine seasons in the NFL, eight of them with the Green Bay Packers.
• Marshall Faulk – 7-time Pro Bowl running back for the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams. Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2011.
• Gary Garrison – Nicknamed "The Ghost", an AFL All-Star in 1968 with the Chargers and a three-time NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver.
• La'Roi Glover – In his 13-year NFL career as a defensive tackle with four teams, he was a Pro Bowl selection 6 times. After playing two games in his rookie season and 15 in his 2nd year, Glover did not miss a game in his final 11 seasons. Led the NFL with 17 sacks in 2000.
• Robert Griffith – NFL Strong Safety for the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals. Played 13 seasons, in which he started 164 of his 195 games played. Executive member of the NFL Players Association for six years.
• Joe Lavender – NFL cornerback for the Washington Redskins
• Dan McGwire – QB was the 16th pick in 1991 by the Seattle Seahawks, playing six years in the NFL. Dan is the brother of former Major League slugger Mark McGwire.
• Kassim Osgood – Three-time Pro Bowl selection on special teams for the Chargers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent wide receiver in 2003.
• Dennis Shaw – QB for the Buffalo Bills and St. Louis Cardinals. Set an NCAA record for touchdown passes in a single game (nine) in 1969. was named offensive rookie of the year.
• Brian Sipe – NFL quarterback; part of the "Kardiac Kids" for the Cleveland Browns. Drafted in the 13th round in 1972, Sipe did not play in the NFL until 1974, but went on to be named the Associated Press Most Valuable Player in 1980. He played 10 seasons in the NFL and two in the USFL.
• Kyle Turley – Offensive tackle was one of the highest drafted players in Aztec history (7th overall by the Saints in 1998). An All-Pro selection in 2000.

The football team plays at Qualcomm Stadium (formerly known as "Jack Murphy" Stadium).

Basketball

Current Head Coach (men's team): Steve Fisher

Current Head Coach (women's team): Stacie Terry

San Diego State has both men's and women's college basketball teams. Some of the more famous San Diego State students to later star in the NBA and WNBA are:

• Jené Morris – Indiana Fever
• Courtney Clements – Atlanta Dream
• Chelsea Hopkins – San Antonio Silver Stars
  

  Malcolm Thomas
• Michael Cage – All star NBA player with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Seattle SuperSonics, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Philadelphia 76ers, and New Jersey Nets.
• Brandon Heath – Sacramento Kings
• Marcus Slaughter – Miami Heat and Eisbären Bremerhaven
• Kawhi Leonard–San Antonio Spurs (2014 NBA Finals MVP)
• Malcolm Thomas, San Antonio Spurs

Other Aztecs basketball alumni who became more famous outside the sport are 1930s player Art Linkletter, who went on to an illustrious entertainment career that spanned more than 70 years, and Tony Gwynn, who also played baseball at San Diego State and opted for that sport professionally, ending up in the Hall of Fame.

The basketball teams play at Viejas Arena on the San Diego State campus.^[8]

The team has had moderate success since Fisher was hired as head coach. The Aztecs won the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament in 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2011 earning automatic bids to the NCAA basketball tournament. The Aztecs were also the regular season Mountain West champions in 2006. On March 19, 2007, a new National Invitation Tournament (NIT) attendance record was set, at 26,752, in a loss in the second-round men's basketball game against Syracuse. They also made the MWC Tournament Finals in 2009, losing the Championship to the Utah Utes, 52–50.

After being overlooked by the NCAA Selection Committee for the 2009 tournament, the Aztecs went on to win the first three rounds of the National Invitational Tournament. With a win against St. Mary's in the tournament's quarter finals the 2008–09 team set a school record for wins in a single season with 26.^[9]

In 2010, both the Men's and Women's teams won the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament, earning an automatic berth to the NCAA basketball tournament.

In the 2010–2011 Season, the Men's team had a phenomenal record of 32–2 to capture a share of the Mountain West Conference title, and winning the Conference Tournament outright for the automatic berth to the 2011 NCAA basketball tournament. The only losses of the regular season were to another top 10 ranked team, BYU, who the Aztecs later beat to win the tournament. They earned a 2nd seed in the National Championship Tournament.

Baseball

See: San Diego State baseball and College baseball

Current Head Coach: Mark Martinez

Some of the more famous San Diego State students to later star in MLB are:

• Quintin Berry
• Bud Black
• Mark Grace
• Chris Gwynn
• Tony Gwynn, the namesake of SDSU's Tony Gwynn Stadium, where the baseball team plays at Smith Field. A baseball and basketball player at SDSU, Gwynn was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame at his first opportunity in 2007. He was also head baseball coach at SDSU from 2003 until his death in 2014.
• Tony Gwynn, Jr.
• Aaron Harang
• Doug Harvey
• Travis Lee
• Justin Masterson
• Bobby Meacham
• Graig Nettles
• Al Newman
• Addison Reed
• Dave Smith
• Stephen Strasburg
• Mark Williamson

Soccer

The men's and women's soccer teams play at Sports Deck on the San Diego State campus. The women compete in the Mountain West Conference while the men compete in the Pac-12 Conference (Pac-12).

Men

In 1987, the San Diego State men's soccer team lost in the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship finals by a score of 0–2 to Clemson.

Famous Aztecs

Name
Marcelo Balboa
Rick Blubaugh
Jimmy Conrad
Joe Corona
Kevin Crow
Tally Hall
Carlos Menjívar
Dean Wurzberger
Eric Wynalda
Steven Beitashour

Women

Current Head Coach (women's team): Mike Friesen

Lacrosse

The San Diego State men's lacrosse team competes in MCLA Division I of the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference. The women's Lacrosse teams begins play during the 2011 season in NCAA Division I of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Both teams play (or will play) their home games at the Sports Deck on the San Diego State campus.

Notable non-varsity sports

Rugby

Founded in 1956, the Aztecs college rugby team competes in Division 1-A in the California conference. The team is coached by former player Alex Lichtig. The Aztecs won the 1987 national championship, defeating Dartmouth in the semifinals, and beating Air Force 10–9 in the finals.

The Aztecs have had recent success competing in their conference and nationally. The Aztecs gained national attention by finishing second at the 2010 Collegiate Rugby Championship, a tournament that was broadcast live on NBC.^[10] The Aztecs reached the quarterfinals of the 2011 USA Rugby Sevens Collegiate National Championships, before losing to eventual champions Life University. The Aztecs won their conference in 2012,^[11] and reached the semifinals of the 2012 national playoffs by defeating Santa Clara 59–14 in the round of 16 and beating UC Santa Barbara 47–25 in the quarterfinals.^[12] The Aztecs won the 2012 California 7s tournament, beating Cal Poly 36–12 in the finals.^[13] This victory qualified the Aztecs for the 2012 USA Rugby Sevens Collegiate National Championships, where they notched a 4–2 record including a win against rival Cal.

Aztec Hall of Fame inductees

See: Hall of fame and footnote^[14]

1988 • Laurel Brassey – W. Volleyball (1974–1981) • Willie Buchanon – Football (1970–71) • John Butler – Football (1933–35) • Don Coryell – Football Coach (1961–72) • Fred Dryer – Football (1967–68) • Gary Garrison – Football (1964–65) • Gene Littler – M. Golf (1949–52) • Haven Moses – Football (1966–67) • Graig Nettles – Baseball (1964–65); M. Basketball (1964–65) • C.E. Peterson – Football Coach (1921–29); M. Bball Coach (1921–26); Track Coach (1922–46) • Milton Phelps – M. Basketball (1939–41) • Art Preston – Football (1949–51); Baseball (1950–52) • Arnie Robinson – M. Track (1970–71) • Dennis Shaw – Football (1968–69) • Brian Sipe – Football (1969–71) • Willie Steele – M. Track (1947–48); M. Basketball (1947); Baseball (1949) 1989 • Kevin Crow – Soccer (1979–82) • Morris Gross – Football, Baseball, M. Basketball Coach (1929–42) • Tony Gwynn – Baseball (1979–81); M. Basketball (1978–81) • Don Horn – Football (1965–66) • Jack Rand – M. Track (1934–35); Football (1932–34) 1990 • Tim Delaney – Football (1968–70) • Art Linkletter – M. Basketball (1932–34); M. Swimming (1932–34) • Judy Porter – W. Basketball (1980–83) • Tom Reynolds – Football (1969–71) 1991 • Steve Copp – M. Basketball (1973–76) • Chuck Courtney – M. Golf (1960–61) • Tom Dahms – Football (1947–49) • Monte Jackson – Football (1973–74) • Angela Rock – W. Volleyball (1981–84) 1992 • Barbara Barrow – W. Golf (1974–77) • Bud Black – Baseball (1978–79) • Tony Pinkins – M. Basketball (1955–57) • Bob Smith – M. Track (1949–50) • Charlie Smith – Baseball Coach (1934–64) • Deby LaPlante – W. Track (1979–80) 1993 • Tom Ables – Honorary • Michael Cage – M. Basketball (1981–84) • Vidal Fernandez – M. Soccer (1977–79) • Ann Lebedeff – W. Tennis (1972–74) • Tom Nettles – Football (1966–68) • LaTanya Sheffield – W. Track (1983–86) 1994 • Patricia Mang – Softball (1987–88) • Chris Marlowe – M. Volleyball (1972–73); M. Basketball (1970–73) • Bill Schuttee – Football Coach (1947–55) • Nate Wright – Football (1967–68) • George Ziegenfuss – M. Basketball Coach (1948–69) 1995 • Marcelo Balboa – M. Soccer (1988–89) • Bob Brady – M. Basketball (1952–54) • Claudie Minor – Football (1972–73) • Micki Schillig – W. Tennis (1980–83) • Frank Scott – M. Golf Coach (1948–83)

1996 • Paul Mott – Football, M. Basketball, M. Track (1925–28) • Ramona Pagel – W. Track (1983–84) • Todd Santos – Football (1984–87) • Eric Wynalda – M. Soccer (1987–89) 1997 • Vicki Cantrell – W. Volleyball (1980–83) • Kenny Hale – M. Basketball (1941, 1946–47) • Joel Kramer – M. Basketball (1974, 1976–78) • Duncan McFarland – M. Volleyball (1973) 1998 • Marshall Faulk – Football (1991–93) • Chris Gwynn – Baseball (1983–85) • Mary Holland – W. Volleyball (1979–82) • Dick Mitchell – M. Basketball (1940–42) • Chana Perry – W. Basketball (1988–89) 1999 • Lennie Clements – M. Golf (1976–79) • Laura DeSnoo – W. Track (1983–86) • Harry Hodgetts – M. Basketball (1937–41) • Carol Plunkett – W. Tennis Coach (1976–94) • Wendy Wheat – W. Volleyball (1977–80) 2002 • 1940–41 Men's Basketball Team • 1987 Men's Soccer Team • Joe Gibbs – Football (1961–63); Football Coach (1965–66) • Norm Nygaard – Football (1952–54) • Falisha Wright – W. Basketball (1992–95) 2003 • 1973 Men's Volleyball National Champions • Al Skalecky – Men's Basketball (1966–67-68) • Nicole Storto – Women's Tennis (1990–93) • Marla Runyan – Track and Field (1988–91) 2004 • Mike Douglass – Football (1976–77) • Rod Dowhower – Football (1963–64) • Claude Gilbert – Football coach (1967–80, 1995–99) • Travis Lee – Baseball (1994–96) • Ron Reina – Broadcaster (1969–86) • Carrie McLaughlin Stathas – Track and Field (1981–83) 2005 • 1987 Men's Rugby National Champion • Hank Allison – Football (1969–70) • Kern Carson – Football (1961–63) • Bernie Finlay – Basketball (1958–60) • Lynn Kanuka – Cross Country/Track and Field (1980–82)

The Show

SDSU Show is the name of the student section at all SDSU sporting events.

Band

The San Diego State Marching Aztecs, and Pep and Varsity Bands are often seen at many sporting events including Football, Basketball and even Volleyball.^[15]

Notable athletes

See also the List of San Diego State University people

• Marcelo Balboa, World Cup and Major League Soccer (MLS) soccer star
• Bud Black, former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher and current manager of the San Diego Padres
• Jim Campbell, former MLB pitcher
• Joe Corona, current U.S. international soccer player
• Isaac Curtis, former National Football League (NFL) receiver
• Jeff DaVanon, MLB baseball player (Arizona Diamondbacks)
• Fred Dryer, actor-producer and former NFL player
• Herm Edwards, former Kansas City Chiefs head coach
• Marshall Faulk, Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL running back and broadcaster
• John Fox, current Denver Broncos head coach
• Mark Grace, retired MLB player and World Series Champion
• Tony Gwynn, current Baseball Hall of Famer (and San Diego State baseball Head Coach at the time of his death in 2014)
• Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, former NFL player with the Green Bay Packers
• Joe Gibbs, former NFL head coach of the Washington Redskins and current NASCAR team owner
• Az-Zahir Hakim, NFL wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins
• Armen Keteyian, Sports Journalist, HBO Sports, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel
• Travis Lee, MLB player with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
• Kawhi Leonard, NBA Small Forward for the San Antonio Spurs, 2014 NBA Finals MVP
• Chris Marlowe, Sportscaster, former Olympic volleyball player
• Kirk Morrison, current Buffalo Bills starting linebacker
• Haven Moses, former NFL receiver with Denver Broncos
• Kassim Osgood, Jacksonville Jaguars receiver
• Noel Prefontaine, Toronto Argonauts kicker
• Jimmy Raye, former NFL player
• Darnay Scott, former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
• Don Shaw, former MLB pitcher
• Brian Sipe, former NFL quarterback
• Webster Slaughter, former American football wide receiver
• Dave Smith, former MLB pitcher
• Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals pitcher
• Carl Weathers, Actor/former NFL player, Apollo Creed
• Eric Wynalda, well-known World Cup and MLS soccer star, and current ABC Sports broadcaster
• Jeanne Zelasko, Sports Journalist, Fox Sports

References

1. San Diego State University Brand Manual (PDF). 2012-05-23. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
2. "SDSU Water Polo to Move into Golden Coast Conference" (Press release). San Diego State Athletics. June 3, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
3. "C-USA Rowing Welcomes Sacramento State and San Diego State" (Press release). Conference USA. March 6, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
4. "The American adds Associate Members for Women's Rowing" (Press release). American Athletic Conference. March 25, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
5. "Big East Conference introduces Boise State Broncos, San Diego State Aztecs, Houston Cougars, SMU Mustangs, UCF Knights". Espn.go.com. 2011-12-08. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
6. http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/champs_records_book/Overall.pdf
7. Schrotenboer, Brent (February 22, 2008). "Football shy of dollar goal at San Diego State". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2008-02-25
8. Anderson, Kelli (February 28, 2011). "Madness on the Mesa: The unprecedented success of sixth-ranked San Diego State has whipped the once-feeble fan base into a frenzy. And it's not even March yet". Sports Illustrated. Time Inc. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
9. 1 second ago. "San Diego State-Saint Mary's Quarterfinal NIT Postgame Notes - San Diego State Official Athletic Site". Goaztecs.cstv.com. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
10. Bleacher Report, Utah Upsets Cal To Win Sevens Title, June 7, 2010, http://bleacherreport.com/articles/402408-college-rugby-utah-upsets-cal-to-win-sevens-championship
11. Rugby Mag, Aztecs Win Rematch Big, Take PMW, April 15, 2012, http://www.rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4191:aztecs-win-rematch-big-take-pmw&catid=48:mens-di-college&Itemid=208
12. Rugby Mag, Men's D1-AA Elite Eight Update, April 29, 2012, http://www.rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4335:mens-di-aa-sweet-16-update&catid=48:mens-di-college&Itemid=208
13. Rugby Mag, San Diego State Wins California 7s, Nov. 11, 2012, http://www.rugbymag.com/news/colleges/collegiate-sevens/6397-san-diego-state-wins-california-7s.html
14. Traditions: Aztec Hall of Fame webpage. San Diego State Aztec Athletics official website. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
15. "School of Music and Dance, San Diego State University". Bands.sdsu.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-20.

External links

• Official website

Coordinates: 32°46′32″N 117°04′22″W / 32.77544°N 117.072823°W