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Pacific Tigers football
First season1895; 129 years ago
Last season1995; 29 years ago
Athletic directorBob Lee
Head coachChuck Shelton
StadiumStagg Memorial Stadium
(capacity: 28,000)
Field surfaceGrass
LocationStockton, California
NCAA divisionDivision I-A
ConferenceBig West Conference
All-time record346–403–24 (.463)
Bowl record3–2–1 (.583)
Conference titles7 (1 CCC, 5 FWC, 1 CCAA)
RivalriesSan Jose State (Victory Bell)
Fresno State
Santa Clara
Sacramento State
ColorsBlack and orange[1]
   
Fight songTiger Fight Song ("Hungry Tigers")
MascotPowercat
Tigers football players in 1943

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]

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

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Conference championships

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Offensive formation in 1972
Coach Chester Caddas (left) during a 1972 game
1976 complete roster
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

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The Pacific Tigers played in 6 bowl games total, but only 3 NCAA-sanctioned bowl games with a record of 2–1.[8]

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

† Not an NCAA-sanctioned bowl game[8]

Home stadiums

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  • 1895–1899
Cyclers' Park – San Jose
  • 1919–1922
C.O.P. Field – San Jose
  • 1923–1928
College of the Pacific Field – Stockton
  • 1929–1949
Baxter Stadium – Stockton
Capacity (12,000)
  • 1948–1949
KJ Stadium Areana – Lodi
Only 3 games Capacity (18,000)
  • 1950–1995
Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium – Stockton
Capacity (35,975- 28,000)
Main article: Stagg Memorial Stadium

Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium, previously known as Pacific Memorial Stadium, was a 28,000-seat outdoor multi-purpose stadium, located on the campus of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. The home venue of the Pacific Tigers was constructed in 1950 for football and later hosted women's soccer; it was closed in 2012 and demolished two years later.

Pacific Memorial Stadium was built 74 years ago in 1950 after the successful fund drive which netted $165,000. Construction began on the earth-filled structure in May 1950. Astonishingly, it was finished on time for the home opener (fifth game of the season) on October 21,[9] a build time of less than six months. The field's approximate alignment was north-northwest to south-southeast. It has been reported and researched the stadium was built on a former Yokuts village. These remains found were discovered in 1923 and raised concern for when the stadium was set to be demolished.

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.

"The Pacific Club", which was added to the east-side of the stadium in 1973, was donated by Alex Spanos at a cost of $250,000. It sat up to 300 people, featured glass walls and had great views of the stadium. When not in use for sporting events, it also held many university functions and gatherings. The scoreboard in the north end zone was erected in 1982 at a cost of $140,000 and measured 35 by 17 feet (10.7 by 5.2 m). Thanks to donations from athletic boosters, lighting power at the stadium was upgraded from 35 to 75 footcandles in August 1986.

Pacific Memorial Stadium was officially renamed Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium on October 15, 1988, to honor Amos Alonzo Stagg (1862–1965).[10][11][12] He ended his head coaching career at "College of the Pacific" in 1946, and donated the land for the stadium to be built in 1950.

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.[13]

The university began removal of Stagg Memorial Stadium on February 24, 2014, to make room for new athletics facilities, including a dedicated tennis center with 12 courts and a clubhouse, and new fields for soccer and field hockey.[14] The first Pacific field hockey home game on the new turf field at University of the Pacific was played on September 12, 2014, versus the University of Albany.[15] The groundbreaking ceremony for the Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center was held on October 17, 2014.[16]

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."[17]

Rivalries

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San Jose State

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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.[18] 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.[19] 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.[20]

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

Fresno State

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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

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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

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Season Rank
1943 No. 19
1949 No. 10

National and Conference Award Winner

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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 [21] [22] 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
  • Eddie LeBaron, was the inaugural Pop Warner Memorial Trophy recipient in 1949.
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

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Retired numbers

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Main article: List of NCAA football retired numbers
Dick Bass and Eddie LeBaron, two of the players whose numbers were retired by Pacific
No. Player Pos. Career No. ret. Ref.
22 Dick Bass RB 1955–1958] September 1984 [23]
39 Willard Harrell RB 1971–1974 May 1986 [23]
40 Eddie LeBaron QB 1946–1949 March 1950 [23]
41 Eddie Macon RB 1949–1951 April 2008 [23]

College Football Hall of Fame

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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

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

All-Americans

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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

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References

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  1. ^ Pacific Tigers Graphic Identity Sheet (PDF). October 18, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  2. ^ "Pacific Decides to Drop Football". Los Angeles Times. 20 December 1995. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  3. ^ Gilbert, Lori. "Ten years ago, the final horn sounded for Pacific". recordnet.com. Retrieved 12 April 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 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2017-01-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ Sawyer, George (October 23, 1950). "COP stadium dedication has everything -- except Tiger win". Lodi News-Sentinel. (California). p. 6.
  10. ^ "UOP to face San Jose: Stagg Stadium dedication". Lodi News-Sentinel. (California). October 15, 1988. p. 20.
  11. ^ "Spartans sock UOP, 35-17". Lodi News-Sentinel. (California). October 17, 1988. p. 17.
  12. ^ Kretzer, Dale (March 18, 1965). "Last whistle blows for famous coach". Lodi News Sentinel. (California). p. 1.
  13. ^ "Stagg Stadium to Close While University Conducts Feasiblity [sic] Study". Pacifictigers.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  14. ^ "Stagg Stadium removal to begin; new Athletics facilities coming this fall". Pacific.edu. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  15. ^ "Field Hockey first home game on new field". University of the Pacific. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  16. ^ "Former Tiger Tennis ace helps celebrate new tennis complex". Pacific.edu. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  17. ^ "FPacific Football Legacy Project". Pacific.edu. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  18. ^ "Pacific's Mission". University of the Pacific. Archived from the original on October 14, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  19. ^ Mountjoy, Nicole Grady (2021). The Campus History Series: The University of the Pacific. Arcadia. ISBN 9781467107068. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  20. ^ "Spear the Spartans".
  21. ^ Pac-12 Conference Mar 3, 2005 (2005-03-03). "J.J. Arrington Wins Pop Warner Award". Pac-12. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved 2017-06-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "Shaw receives Warner Trophy". Madera Tribune. 26 January 1955. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  23. ^ a b c d RETIRED NUMBERS/JERSEYS at Pacifictigers.com
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