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

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]

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

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:

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

See List of San Diego State football players

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:

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:

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
United States Marcelo Balboa
United States Rick Blubaugh
United States Jimmy Conrad
United States Joe Corona
United States Kevin Crow
United States Tally Hall
El Salvador Carlos Menjívar
United States Dean Wurzberger
United States Eric Wynalda
United States 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

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

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

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, May 07, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.