Pacific Tigers football

Pacific Tigers football
First season1895; 131 years ago
Last season1995; 31 years ago
Athletic directorBob Lee
Head coachChuck Shelton
LocationStockton, California
StadiumStagg Memorial Stadium
(capacity: 28,000)
NCAA divisionDivision I-A
ConferenceBig West Conference
ColorsBlack and orange[1]
   
All-time record346–403–24 (.463)
Bowl record3–2–1 (.583)
Conference championships
7 (1 CCC, 5 FWC, 1 CCAA)
RivalriesSan Jose State (Victory Bell)
Fresno State
Santa Clara
Sacramento State
Fight songTiger Fight Song ("Hungry Tigers")
MascotPowercat

The Pacific Tigers football team represented the University of the Pacific in NCAA Division I-A (now FBS) college football. The team competed in the Big West Conference during their last season in 1995. They played their home games at Stagg Memorial Stadium in Stockton, California. On December 19, 1995, the Board of Regents voted to disband the team in order to save money for the athletic program, which was reported to have gone over $400,000 in debt. All scholarships were honored for current players of the team.[2][3]

History

Tigers football players in 1943

The 1943 Pacific Tigers football team was an independent during the 1943 college football season. In their 11th season under head coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, the Tigers compiled a record of 7–2 and finished the season ranked No. 19 in the AP poll.[4] The Tigers played home games at Baxter Stadium in Stockton. The Tigers beat a strong UCLA Bruins team, the No. 20 ranked Cal Bears and No. 10 ranked Saint Mary's Gaels. This led the 1943 Tigers defensive kine to be rated the strongest in the west. The team was at one time ranked No. 6 in the nation by the Associated Press. The 1943 team produced Pacific's 1st All-Americans in tackle Al McCaffrey and running back John Podesto. Amos Alonzo Stagg was also named "Coach of the Year" by the American Football Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association of America[5]

The 1949 Pacific Tigers football team was an independent during the 1949 college football season. In their third season under head coach Larry Siemering, the Tigers compiled an undefeated and untied 11–0 record, were ranked No. 10 in the final AP poll, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 575 to 66. The Tigers' victories included wins over Cincinnati, San Diego State, San Jose State, Fresno State, Nevada, Hawaii, and Utah.

Quarterback Eddie LeBaron was selected by both the Associated Press and International News Service as a first-team player on the 1949 All-Pacific Coast football team.[6][7] Don Campora and Eddie LeBaron were both selected in the following 1950 NFL draft

Conference affiliations

Conference championships

Season Conference Coach Overall record Conference record
1923 California Coast Erwin Righter 7–0–0 4–0
1936 Far West Amos Stagg 5–4–1 4–0
1938 Far West Amos Stagg 7–3 4–0
1940 Far West Amos Stagg 4–5 2–0
1941 Far West Amos Stagg 4–7 3–0
1942 Far West Amos Stagg 2–6–1 2–0
1947 California Collegiate Larry Siemering 10–1 5–0

Bowl games

The Pacific Tigers played in six bowl games total, but only three sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with a record of 2–1.[8]

Season Coach Bowl Opponent Result Source
1946 Amos Stagg Optimist Bowl† North Texas State L 13–14 [9]
1947 Larry Siemering Grape Bowl† Utah State W 35–21 [10]
1947 Larry Siemering Raisin Bowl Wichita W 26–14 [11]
1948 Larry Siemering Grape Bowl† Hardin–Simmons T 35–35 [12]
1951 Ernie Jorge Sun Bowl Texas Tech L 14–25 [13]
1952 Ernie Jorge Sun Bowl Mississippi Southern W 26–7 [14]

† Not an NCAA-sanctioned bowl game[8]

Home stadiums

Period Stadium Location Capacity
1895–1899 Cyclers' Park San Jose n/a
1919–1922 C.O.P. Field San Jose n/a
1923–1928 College of the Pacific Field Stockton n/a
1929–1949 Baxter Stadium Stockton 12,000
1948–1949 KJ Stadium Areana [n 1] Lodi 18,000
1950–1995 Stagg Memorial Stadium [n 2] Stockton 28,000 [n 3]
Notes
  1. ^ Used only for 3 games.
  2. ^ Complete name was "Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium".
  3. ^ Originally, 35,975.

Stagg Memorial Stadium

View of the stadium in 1961

Previously known as "Pacific Memorial Stadium", it was a 28,000-seat outdoor stadium located on the campus of the University of the Pacific in Stockton. Constructed in 1950 for football, it was the home venue for the Pacific Tigers football team, and later hosted women's soccer; it was closed in 2012 and demolished two years later.[15][16]

The stadium originally seated 35,975 with room for expansion to over 44,000, but renovations reduced the capacity to a configuration of 28,000. It was the venue for a 1997 friendly soccer match between Brazil and Honduras; notable striker Ronaldo scored six goals and Brazil won 8–2.

On February 26, 2012, the university announced it would close Stagg Memorial Stadium to conduct a feasibility study to assess needed repairs, upgrades and changes required to make the facility meet modern standards in conjunction with a financial assessment to determine if the stadium could be repaired or if it should be replaced.[17]

In April 2022 the "Stagg Memorial Plaza" was dedicated and open to the public on the grounds of the old stadium. The 9,000 sq. ft. plaza, located off of Larry Heller Drive across from the Alex G. Spanos Center, is "envisioned as a gathering place for alumni and students who will learn of the storied history of Pacific Football through the stories and statues encircling the plaza. The plaza will also serve as a campus destination hosting several tailgates and gatherings annually associated with athletic and campus events."[18]

Rivalries

San Jose State

Main article: Victory Bell (Pacific–San Jose State)

The now defunct, nearly 100 year, rivalry match up between the SJSU Spartans and the Pacific Tigers began in January 1896 and ended in 1995 when Pacific dropped its football program. The 'Spartan-Tiger Football Game' was played 72 times between 1896 and 1995.

Due to the "private vs. public" institutional competitiveness and the close geographical proximity of the two schools, a natural "cross-town" rivalry was born. University of the Pacific was founded in 1851 in Santa Clara, California, and claims to be the first institution of higher education in California.[19] San José State University was founded in 1857 and is California's first public institution of higher education.

In 1949, in a game which drew national attention, the Victory Bell was unveiled.[20] The Victory Bell would go to the winner of subsequent Tiger-Spartan games. The bell was two feet tall and waist-high on a rolling cart. The bell was half black with an orange "P" for Pacific and half blue with a gold "SJ" for San Jose.[21]

The Spartans led the series 43–23–6 when the rivalry ended at the close of the 1995 season.

Fresno State

Fresno State and Pacific first met in 1963 in Stockton, CA with a Bulldogs victory 29-7. Due to the 2 campuses close proximity, within 134 miles, and just over a 2-hour drive straight on California State route 99, bragging rights for the best team in the San Joaquin Valley were at stake when these 2 football programs collided on the gridiron.

At the end of 1995 season when Pacific dropped its football program the Bulldogs won the 25 game series 17-8.

Sacramento State

Sacramento State and Pacific first met in 1973 in Stockton, CA. Due to the 2 campuses close proximity, within 51 miles, and just under an hour drive straight on I-5, bragging rights for the best team in the San Joaquin Valley were at stake when these 2 football programs collided on the gridiron.

At the end of 1995 season when Pacific dropped its football program the Tigers led the 20-year series 7-2.

Final AP Poll rankings

Season Rank
1943 No. 19
1949 No. 10

National and conference award winners

The Glenn "Pop" Warner Memorial Trophy was awarded annually by the Palo Club to the most valuable senior player on the West Coast. It was awarded from 1949 to 2004.: 113 [22][23] Notably, all but 5 recipients played for Pac-8/Pac-10 institutions. The award is distinguished from the unaffiliated W. J. Voit Memorial Trophy, presented annually from 1951 to 1978 to the top player on the Pacific Coast regardless of class-year.

Pop Warner Trophy
Year Name Position
1949 Eddie LeBaron QB
National Football Foundation Gold Medal
Year Name Position
1960 Amos Alonzo Stagg Head Coach

The National Football Foundation recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding support for promoting the game of amateur football. The NFF Gold Medal is the highest award offered by the National Football Foundation.

AFCA Coach of the Year
Year Name Position
1943 Amos Alonzo Stagg Head Coach
Football Writers Association of America Coach of the Year
Year Name Position
1943 Amos Alonzo Stagg Head Coach
Corbett Award
Year Name Position
2000 Cedric Dempsey Athletic Director
2015 Carl Miller Athletic Director

This honor is awarded annually by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). It is presented "to the collegiate administrator who has most typified Corbett's devotion to intercollegiate athletics and worked unceasingly for its betterment."

NFF National Scholar-Athlete Award
Year Name Position
1979 Bruce Filarsky DL

Individual honors

Retired numbers

See also: List of NCAA football retired numbers
Dick Bass and Eddie LeBaron, two of the players whose numbers were retired by Pacific
Pacific Tigers retired numbers
No. Player Pos. Tenure No. ret. Ref.
22 Dick Bass HB 1955–1958 September 1984 [24]
39 Willard Harrell RB 1971–1974 May 1986 [24]
40 Eddie LeBaron QB 1946–1949 March 1950 [24]
41 Eddie Macon HB 1949–1951 April 2008 [24]

College Football Hall of Fame

College Football Hall of Fame
Name Position Year Inducted
Amos Stagg Coach 1933–1946 1951
Eddie LeBaron QB 1946–1949 1980
Wayne Hardin QB / HB / Coach 1946–1948, 1949, 1952 2013

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Pro Football Hall of Fame
Name Position Year Inducted
Tom Flores Quarterback, coach 1957–1958 2021

All-Americans

Year Player Pos. Team
1943 Art McCaffray DT CO-1st Team/ NYS-1st Team/ UP-2nd Team
1943 John Podesto FB LK-1st Team/ NYS-1st Team/ AP-3rd Team
1943 John Podesto HB SS-1st Team
1949 Eddie LeBaron QB INSD- 1st/ NEA-1st Team/ UP-2nd Team
1953 Ken Buck DE FWAA-1st Team
1958 Dick Bass RB AP-2nd Team/ UPI-2nd Team/ NEA-2nd Team/ Time
1973 Willie Viney G AP-3rd Team
1974 Willard Harrell RB AP-2nd Team
1981 Kirk Harmon LB GSN-2nd Team
1981 Mike Merriweather LB NEA-2nd Team
1985 Nick Holt LB Honorable Mention

Notable players and alumni

  • 1915 team
    1915 team
  • 1964 team
    1964 team
  • 1971 game
    1971 game
  • Offensive formation in 1972
    Offensive formation in 1972
  • Coach Chester Caddas (left) during a 1972 game
    Coach Chester Caddas (left) during a 1972 game
  • 1972 game
    1972 game
  • 1973 game
    1973 game
  • 1976 team
    1976 team

References

  1. ^ Pacific Tigers Graphic Identity Sheet (PDF). October 18, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  2. ^ "Pacific Decides to Drop Football". Los Angeles Times. December 20, 1995. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  3. ^ Gilbert, Lori. "Ten years ago, the final horn sounded for Pacific". recordnet.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  4. ^ Marvin, Joe (May 2001). "Stagg at Pacific (1943-1946)". College Football Historical Society Newsletter. 14 (3). LA84 Foundation: 8–10. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  5. ^ "Pacific Football Reunion and Hall of Fame Weekend".
  6. ^ "Carpenter Draws Most Votes in Winning Position ON Associated Press' 25th All-Coast Selection". The Corvallis Gazette-Times. November 25, 1949. p. 7.
  7. ^ Joe St. Amant (November 22, 1949). "Bears Pace All-Pacific Coast Football Eleven". El Paso Herald-Post. p. 10.
  8. ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 10, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ "Last-second pass whips Staggmen". The Los Angeles Times. December 22, 1946. Retrieved October 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Pacific Tigers capture Grape Bowl, 35 To 21". The Fresno Bee. December 14, 1947. p. C1. Retrieved October 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "College of Pacific beats Wichita in Raisin Bowl". Wilmington Morning News. January 2, 1948. p. 22. Retrieved October 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "COP, Hardin–Simmons play to 35–35 tie". Valley Morning Star. December 12, 1948. p. 10. Retrieved October 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Tech defeats Pacific in Sun Bowl, 25–14". The El Paso Times. January 2, 1952. Retrieved October 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Pacific scores smashing Sun Bowl victory, 26 to 7". The Record. January 2, 1953. Retrieved October 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Stagg Memorial Stadium demolition continues on recordnet.com, 18 Apr 2014
  16. ^ University Of The Pacific's Stadium To Be Torn Down by Rich Ibarra at capradio.org. February 24, 2014
  17. ^ "Stagg Stadium to Close While University Conducts Feasiblity [sic] Study". Pacifictigers.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  18. ^ "FPacific Football Legacy Project". Pacific.edu. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  19. ^ "Pacific's Mission". University of the Pacific. Archived from the original on October 14, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  20. ^ Mountjoy, Nicole Grady (2021). The Campus History Series: The University of the Pacific. Arcadia. ISBN 9781467107068. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  21. ^ "Spear the Spartans".
  22. ^ Pac-12 Conference Mar 3, 2005 (March 3, 2005). "J.J. Arrington Wins Pop Warner Award". Pac-12. Retrieved June 2, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ "Shaw receives Warner Trophy". Madera Tribune. January 26, 1955. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  24. ^ a b c d RETIRED NUMBERS/JERSEYS at Pacifictigers.com
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Tigers_football