San Diego State Aztecs

The San Diego State Aztecs are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent San Diego State University. The Aztecs compete in NCAA Division I (FBS) as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MW). San Diego State University sponsors 17 teams at the varsity level.

San Diego State Aztecs
Logo
UniversitySan Diego State University
ConferenceMountain West (primary)
WAC (men's soccer)
GCC (women's water polo)
Independent (women's lacrosse)
NCAADivision I (FBS)
Athletic directorJohn David Wicker
LocationSan Diego, California
Varsity teams17 (6 men's, 11 women's)
Football stadiumSnapdragon Stadium
Basketball arenaViejas Arena
Baseball stadiumTony Gwynn Stadium
Softball stadiumSDSU Softball Stadium
Soccer stadiumSDSU Sports Deck
Aquatics centerAztec Aquaplex
Lacrosse fieldAztec Lacrosse Field
Tennis venueAztec Tennis Center
Outdoor track and field venueSDSU Sports Deck (aka "Aztrack")
Volleyball arenaPeterson Gymnasium
MascotSpirit Leader[1][2][3]
NicknameAztecs
Fight songSDSU Fight Song
ColorsScarlet and black[4]
   
Websitewww.goaztecs.com
San Diego State is a member of the Mountain West Conference

Sports sponsored

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Men's sportsWomen's sports
BaseballBasketball
FootballCross country
BasketballGolf
GolfLacrosse
SoccerSoccer
TennisSoftball
FootballSwimming & diving
Tennis
Track & field
Volleyball
Water Polo
† – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor.

Men's varsity sports

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Baseball

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  • Head Coach: Shaun Cole
  • Stadium: Tony Gwynn Stadium
  • Conference regular season championships: 5 (1986 • 1988 • 1990 • 2002 • 2004)[5]
  • Conference tournament championships: 8 (1990 • 1991 • 2000 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2017 • 2018)[6]
  • NCAA Division I Baseball Championship appearances: 14 (1979 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1986 • 1990 • 1991 • 2009 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2017 • 2018)[7]
YearTournament RecordNotes
19792-2Lost in the Mideast Regional finals to Pepperdine.
19810-2Eliminated by Oral Roberts in the Midwest Regional.
19820-2Eliminated by Houston in the West II Regional.
19831-2Eliminated by UC Santa Barbara in the West I Regional semifinals.
19843-2Lost in the West I Regional finals to Cal State Fullerton.
19860-2Eliminated by Texas-Pan American in the Central Regional.
19903-2Lost in the West I Regional finals to Stanford.
19910-2Eliminated by Portland in the West II Regional.
20091-2Eliminated by UC Irvine in the Irvine Regional.
20130-2Eliminated by San Diego in the Los Angeles Regional.
20140-2Eliminated by Louisiana in the Lafayette Regional.
20151-2Eliminated by USC in the Charlottesville Regional.
20171-2Eliminated by Long Beach State in the Long Beach Regional.
20180-2Eliminated by Northwestern State in the Corvallis Regional.
See: San Diego State baseball and College baseball

Football

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Snapdragon Stadium

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). SDSU is 10–9 all time in post-season bowl games. They first went to a bowl game in 1948 and first won a major-college bowl game in 1969.[9] Until the 2010 season, the Aztec football team had not won a bowl game in the past 37 years. In 2019, the Aztecs reached their 10th straight bowl game.

The Aztecs moved into the new Snapdragon Stadium, located in what had been the parking lot of the team's former home of San Diego Stadium,[a] for the 2022 season.[10] During the construction of Snapdragon Stadium, the Aztecs played the 2020 and 2021 seasons at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The team had played at San Diego Stadium from its opening in 1967 until its closure after the 2019 season; before that, it played in the on-campus Aztec Bowl (now the location of Viejas Arena).

DateCoachBowlOpponentResult
January 1, 1948Bill SchutteHarbor BowlHardin–SimmonsL 0–53
January 1, 1952Bill SchuttePineapple BowlHawaiiW 34–13
December 10, 1966Don CoryellCamellia BowlMontana StateW 28–7
December 9, 1967Don CoryellCamellia BowlSan Francisco StateW 27–6
December 6, 1969Don CoryellPasadena BowlBoston UniversityW 28–7
December 30, 1986Denny StolzHoliday Bowl#16 IowaL 38–39
December 30, 1991Al LuginbillFreedom Bowl#23 TulsaL 17–28
December 19, 1998Ted TollnerLas Vegas BowlNorth CarolinaL 13–20
December 23, 2010Brady HokePoinsettia BowlNavyW 35–14
December 17, 2011Rocky LongNew Orleans BowlLouisianaL 30–32
December 20, 2012Rocky LongPoinsettia BowlBYUL 6–23
December 21, 2013Rocky LongFamous Idaho Potato BowlBuffaloW 49–24
December 23, 2014Rocky LongPoinsettia BowlNavyL 16–17
December 24, 2015Rocky LongHawaii BowlCincinnatiW 42–7
December 17, 2016Rocky LongLas Vegas BowlHoustonW 34–10
December 23, 2017Rocky LongArmed Forces BowlArmyL 35–42
December 19, 2018Rocky LongFrisco BowlOhioL 0–27
December 21, 2019Rocky LongNew Mexico BowlCentral MichiganW 48–11
December 21, 2021Brady HokeFrisco BowlUTSAW 38–24
December 24, 2022Brady HokeHawaii BowlMiddle TennesseeL 25–23

Basketball

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Viejas Arena
  • Head Coach: Brian Dutcher
  • Arena: Viejas Arena
  • Conference regular season championships: 24 (1923 • 1925 • 1932 • 1934 • 1937 • 1939 • 1941 • 1942 • 1954 • 1957 • 1958 • 1967 • 1968 • 1977 • 1978 • 2006 • 2011 • 2012 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2020 • 2021 • 2023)[5]
  • Conference tournament championships: 9 (1976 • 1985 • 2002 • 2006 • 2010 • 2011 • 2018 • 2021 • 2023)[11]
  • NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament appearances: 16 (1975 • 1976 • 1985 • 2002 • 2006 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2018 • 2021 • 2022 • 2023 • 2024)[12]

Aztec basketball alumni who became more famous outside the sport include 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 Baseball Hall of Fame.

In the 2010–2011 season, the men's team had a record of 32–2 to capture a share of the Mountain West Conference title. They won the conference tournament outright for the automatic berth to the 2011 NCAA Division I men's 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 conference tournament. They earned a 2nd seed in the NCAA tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16. In the 2013–2014 season, the Aztecs finished 29–4, again reaching the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16 round.

The Aztecs reached the Elite Eight, Final Four, and the National Championship for the first time during the 2022–2023 season, where they finished runner-up to Connecticut. The Aztecs returned to the tournament in 2024, reaching the Sweet Sixteen.

YearSeedRoundOpponentResult
1975Round of 32#16 UNLVL 80–90
1976Round of 32#5 UCLAL 64–74
198513 WRound of 64(4) #9 UNLVL 80–85
200213 MRound of 64(4) #13 IllinoisL 64–93
200611 WRound of 64(6) IndianaL 83–87
201011 MRound of 64(6) #15 TennesseeL 59–62
20112 WRound of 64
Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen
(15) Northern Colorado
(7) Temple
(3) #9 Connecticut
W 68–50
W 71–64 2OT
L 67–74
20126 MRound of 64(11) NC StateL 65–79
20137 SRound of 64
Round of 32
(10) Oklahoma
(15) Florida Gulf Coast
W 70–55
L 71–81
20144 WRound of 64
Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen
(13) New Mexico State
(12) North Dakota State
(1) #4 Arizona
W 73–69 OT
W 63–44
L 64–70
20158 SRound of 64
Round of 32
(9) St. John's
(1) #4 Duke
W 76–64
L 49–68
201811 WRound of 64(6) #21 HoustonL 65–67
20216 MWRound of 64(11) SyracuseL 62–78
20228 MWRound of 64(9) CreightonL 69–72 OT
20235 SRound of 64
Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship
(12) Charleston
(13) Furman
(1) #1 Alabama
(6) Creighton
(9) #25 Florida Atlantic
(4) #10 Connecticut
W 63–57
W 75–52
W 71–64
W 57–56
W 72-71
L 59-76
20245 ERound of 64
Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen
(12) UAB
(13) Yale
(1) #1 UConn
W 69–65
W 85–57
L 82-52

Golf

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  • Head Coach: Ryan Donovan
  • Mountain West Conference championships: 3 (2011 • 2012 • 2015)[13]
  • NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships appearances: 23 (1960 • 1962 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1970 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1999 • 2003 • 2005 • 2008 • 2011 • 2012 • 2015 • 2016)[14]

The Aztecs men's golf team has more NCAA postseason appearances than any other San Diego State athletic team. Notable alumni include 2015 graduate and PGA Tour golfer Xander Schauffele. In 2017, Schauffele received the 2017 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award.[15]

YearFinishScore
195010th606
196014th625
196215th637
196524th620
19666th604
196723rd613
197016th1,230
197120th585
197216th603
197417th606
197519th606
197618th1,205
197715th1,248
197812th1,190
197926th943
198022nd917
198121st895
198214th1,178
198323rd909
198424th889
199929th628
200330th965
200523rd893
200814th1,222
201116th898
20125th871
201515th1,193
201725th872

Soccer

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The San Diego State men's soccer team competes in the Western Athletic Conference. In 1987, the Aztecs reached the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship Final, losing in the game by a score of 0–2 to Clemson. The team has an overall NCAA Division Tournament record of 5–8 through eight appearances.[17] Lev Kirshner was head coach for over two decades.

YearRoundOpponentResult
1969Second roundSan FranciscoL 1–2
1982First round
Second round
Fresno State
San Francisco
W 1–0
L 0–2
1987First round
Second round
Third round
Semifinals
National Championship
Saint Louis
SMU
UCLA
Harvard
Clemson
W 2–1
W 3–2
W 2–1
W 2–1
L 0–2
1988First roundUCLAL 1–2
1989First roundUCLAL 1–2
2005First roundUC Santa BarbaraL 0–2
2006First roundUC Santa BarbaraL 1–2
2016First roundUNLVL 1–2

Tennis

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  • Head Coach: Gene Carswell
  • Home court: Aztec Tennis Center
  • Mountain West Conference regular season championships: 6 (2002 • 2003 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2013)[5]
  • Mountain West Conference tournament championships: 3 (2002 • 2003 • 2005)[13]
  • NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championship tournament appearances: 7 (1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2002 • 2003 • 2005 • 2015)[18]
YearRoundOpponentResult
1998Region VII RegionalNew MexicoL 2–4
1999First round
Second round
Tulsa
UCLA
W 4–1
L 1–4
2000First round
Second round
Round of 16
Washington
Pepperdine
VCU
W 4–3
W 4–2
L 3–4
2002First round
Second round
Hampton
UCLA
W 5–0
L 1–4
2003First round
Second round
San Diego
Washington
W 5–0
L 3–4
2005First roundCalL 1–4
2015First round
Second round
San Diego
USC
W 4–3
L 0–4

Women's varsity sports

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Basketball

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YearSeedRoundOpponentResult
1984#6First round
Regional semifinals
#3 Oregon
#2 Long Beach State
W 70–63
L 73–91
1985#5First round
Regional semifinals
#4 UNLV
#1 Louisiana Tech
W 70–68
L 64–94
1993#9First round#8 GeorgiaL 68–85
1994#5First round
Second round
#12 Hawaii
#13 Texas A&M
W 81–75
L 72–75
1995#5First round#12 MontanaL 46–57
1997#11First round#6 OregonL 62–79
2009#10First round
Second round
#7 DePaul
#2 Stanford
W 76–70
L 49–77
2010#11First round
Second round
Regional semifinals
#6 Texas
#3 West Virginia
#2 Duke
W 74–63
W 64–55
L 58–66
2012#12First round#5 LSUL 56–64

Cross Country

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The San Diego State Aztecs women's cross country team has appeared in the NCAA tournament one time, with that appearance resulting in 7th place in the 1981–82 school year.[21]

YearFinishPoints
19817th169

Golf

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  • Head Coach: Lauren Dobashi
  • Mountain West Conference championships: 2 (2015 • 2019)[22]

Notable alumni include 2015 graduate Paige Spiranac.

Lacrosse

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  • Head Coach: Kylee White
  • Home field: Aztec Lacrosse Field
  • Conference championships: 2 (MPSF) (2018 • 2019)[23]

The women's lacrosse team began play in 2012 and competes as an independent; its former women's lacrosse home of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation dropped the sport after the 2019–20 school year due to a lack of competing members. After the 2023 season, SDSU women's lacrosse will join the Pac-12 Conference.

Soccer

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  • Head Coach: Mike Friesen
  • Home field: SDSU Sports Deck
  • Mountain West Conference regular season championships: 6 (1999 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2019)[5]
  • Mountain West Conference tournament championships: 5 (2009 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2017)[24]
  • NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship appearances: 7 (1998 • 1999 • 2009 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2017)[25]

The Aztecs women's soccer team have an NCAA Division I Tournament record of 4–7 through seven appearances.[26]

YearRoundOpponentResult
1998Second round
Third round
USC
Portland
W 1–0
L 0–5
1999First roundSan DiegoL 1–2
2009First round
Second round
San Diego
UCLA
W 1–0
L 0–5
2012First round
Second round
Third round
CSU Northridge
Cal
UCLA
W 3–0
W 2–1
L 0–3
2013First roundUCLAL 0–3
2014First roundCalL 2–3
2017First roundUCLAL 1–3

Softball

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  • Head Coach: Stacey Nuveman Deniz
  • Stadium: SDSU Softball Stadium
  • Mountain West Conference championships: 8 (2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2006 • 2008 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014)[5]
  • NCAA Division I softball tournament appearances: 11 (2001 • 2003 • 2006 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015)[27]
YearTournament RecordNotes
20013-2Lost in the Region 2 Regional finals to UCLA.
20031-2Eliminated by Oregon in the Region 6 Regional.
20062-2Lost in the Los Angeles Regional finals to UCLA.
20081-2Eliminated by Fresno State in the Gainesville Regional.
20090-2Eliminated by Cal State Fullerton in the Tempe Regional.
20101-2Eliminated by Fresno State in the Los Angeles Regional.
20112-2Lost in the Tempe Regional finals to Arizona State.
20122-2Lost in the Tampa Regional finals to Hofstra.
20131-2Eliminated by Georgia in the Tempe Regional.
20141-2Eliminated by Michigan in the Tallahassee Regional.
20152-2Lost in the Los Angeles Regional finals to UCLA.

Swimming & Diving

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YearFinish
198223rd
201042nd
201245th
201341st
201427th
201539th
201746th
201938th

Tennis

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  • Head Coach: Peter Mattera
  • Home court: Aztec Tennis Center
  • Mountain West Conference regular season championships: 3 (2002 • 2003 • 2013)[5]
  • Mountain West Conference tournament championships: 1 (2003)[30]
  • NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championship appearances: 22 (1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2002 • 2003 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2009 • 2013)[31]
YearRoundOpponentResult
1982First round
Quarterfinals
Northwestern
Trinity
W 8–1
L 3–6
1983First round
Quarterfinals
Miami (FL)
Stanford
W 5–4
L 4–5
1984First round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Third-place game
Cal
Texas
Stanford
Trinity
W 7–2
W 6–3
L 2–7
L 4–5
1985First round
Quarterfinals
Northwestern
USC
W 6–3
L 0–9
1986First roundOklahoma StateL 3–6
1989First round
Second round
William & Mary
Stanford
W 6–3
L 0–9
1990First roundIndianaL 3–5
1991First round
Second round
Tennessee
Stanford
W 5–1
L 1–5
1992First round
Second round
Kansas
Duke
W 5–4
L 1–5
1993First roundOle MissL 3–5
1996West RegionalArizona StateL 4–5
1997West Regional
West Regional
Oregon
Pepperdine
W 5–2
L 2–5
1998West Regional
West Regional
San Diego
USC
W 5–2
L 1–5
1999California RegionalMarquetteL 1–5
2000First round
Second round
South Florida
Wake Forest
W 5–0
L 0–5
2002First roundArizonaL 3–4
2003First roundFresno StateL 0–4
2005First roundArizona StateL 0–4
2006First roundUCLAL 0–4
2007First roundFlorida StateL 0–4
2009First roundWashingtonL 0–4
2013First roundBaylorL 1–4

Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor)

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YearCompetitionFinish
2006Indoor51st
2008Indoor33rd
2009Indoor34th
2010Indoor21st
2012Indoor48th
2013Indoor25th
2014Indoor19th
2017Indoor21st
2018Indoor17th
2019Indoor27th
YearCompetitionFinish
1982Outdoor10th
1983Outdoor24th
1984Outdoor11th
1985Outdoor9th
1986Outdoor20th
1998Outdoor51st
1999Outdoor62nd
2001Outdoor37th
2003Outdoor29th
2004Outdoor27th
2005Outdoor29th
2007Outdoor46th
2008Outdoor31st
2009Outdoor25th
2011Outdoor60th
2012Outdoor9th
2013Outdoor23rd
2014Outdoor12th
2016Outdoor20th
2017Outdoor32nd
2018Outdoor46th
2019Outdoor32nd

Volleyball

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The Aztecs women's volleyball team have an NCAA Division I Tournament record of 13–14 through fourteen appearances.[36]

YearRoundOpponentResult
1981Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Semifinals
New Mexico
UC Santa Barbara
UCLA
W 3–0
W 3–0
L 1–3
1982Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Semifinals
Cal
UCLA
USC
W 3–1
W 3–1
L 0–3
1983First round
Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Colorado State
Arizona
Stanford
W 3–0
W 3–1
L 0–3
1984First round
Regional semifinals
BYU
USC
W 3–0
L 0–3
1985First roundHawaiiL 1–3
1986First round
Regional semifinals
UC Santa Barbara
Pacific
W 3–1
L 0–3
1988First round
Regional semifinals
San Jose State
Hawaii
W 3–1
L 0–3
1989First roundLong Beach StateL 0–3
1990First round
Regional semifinals
BYU
Stanford
W 3–1
L 1–3
1994First round
Second round
Memphis
Arizona State
W 3–1
L 2–3
1995Second round
Regional semifinals
Long Beach State
Michigan State
W 3–1
L 0–3
1996First round
Second round
Sam Houston State
Texas
W 3–1
L 0–3
2001First roundLong Beach StateL 0–3
2012First roundSaint Mary'sL 2–3

Water Polo

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YearFinish
20074th
20085th
20168th


Conference affiliations

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San Diego State has been a member of six different athletic conferences in its history.

Discontinued sports

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In the past, San Diego State, like most American universities, has sponsored several additional varsity sports programs to those currently offered. These programs have since been discontinued. Budgeting and Title IX equity challenges have been cited as the primary reasons for these programs being cut.[38] In some cases (notably men's crew and men's volleyball), club teams have emerged in place of discontinued sports programs.

Men's former varsity sports

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Crew

  • Year discontinued: 1976[39]

Cross Country

The Aztecs men's cross country team won three consecutive NCAA Division II national championships in 1965, 1966, and 1967 shortly before the program's ascension to Division I.

YearFinishPoints
19686th247
19709th356
19768th361

Gymnastics

YearFinish
195918th

Swimming & Diving

Men's swimming & diving won back-to-back NCAA Division II national championships in 1965 and 1966 shortly before the program's transition to Division I.

YearFinish
196927th

Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor)

The men's track & field team won back-to-back NCAA Division II outdoor national championships in 1965 and 1966 shortly before the program's transition to Division I.

YearCompetitionFinish
1979Indoor60th
YearCompetitionFinish
1965Outdoor25th
1966Outdoor24th
1969Outdoor19th
1970Outdoor12th
1971Outdoor35th
1974Outdoor16th
1976Outdoor19th
1977Outdoor55th
1979Outdoor28th
1980Outdoor41st
1982Outdoor53rd
1983Outdoor74th
1984Outdoor71st
1989Outdoor67th

Volleyball

The men's volleyball team won San Diego State's first (and to-date only) NCAA Division I National Championship in 1973. The team's home court was Peterson Gymnasium.

YearRoundOpponentResult
1972Semifinals
Championship
UC Santa Barbara
UCLA
W 3–2
L 2–3
1973Semifinals
Championship
Ball State
Long Beach State
W 3–0
W 3-1

Water Polo

Despite coming off a season in which the team was ranked in the top 10 nationally, the men's water polo team, along with other programs, was cut, due to a combination of a lack in athletic department funding, Proposition 13's passage, and necessity to comply with Title IX.[50]

Wrestling

In 1949, San Diego State wrestler Harold Hensen became the first African-American to compete in an NCAA wrestling championship tournament when he competed in individual competition at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.[52][53]

YearFinishPoints
195633rd1
196917th15
199241st5

Women's former varsity sports

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Field Hockey

Gymnastics

  • Year discontinued: 1985[55]

Rowing

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  • Year discontinued: 2021[56]

The women's rowing team, which had last competed in the American Athletic Conference, was discontinued following the 2020–21 academic year due to ongoing Title IX gender equity challenges and financial stress on the athletics department brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The team's home was the Mission Bay Aquatic Center.

Athletic facilities

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Venues

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FacilityTeam(s)Opened
Snapdragon StadiumFootball2022
Viejas ArenaBasketball (men's)

Basketball (women's)

1997
Tony Gwynn StadiumBaseball1997
Peterson GymnasiumVolleyball (women's)1961
SDSU Sports Deck / AztrackSoccer (men's)

Soccer (women's)

Track & field (women's)

2000
Aztec AquaplexSwimming & diving (women's)

Water polo (women's)

2007
Aztec Lacrosse FieldLacrosse (women's)2011
Aztec Tennis CenterTennis (men's)

Tennis (women's)

2005
SDSU Softball StadiumSoftball2005

Other facilities

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FacilityDescriptionOpened
Fowler Athletics CenterAthletics department headquarters and Aztec Hall of Fame2001
Jeff Jacobs JAM CenterPractice facility for men's and women's basketball2015
Mission Bay Aquatic CenterFacility in Mission Bay co-owned and operated with the University of California, San Diego that provides opportunities for many outdoor activities and water sports for SDSU students. Home to club sports teams such as men's crew and waterskiing and wakesports.1974

Non-varsity club sports

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In addition to the varsity sports officially sponsored by the athletic department, San Diego State also supports several club-level sports, most operating through the Aztec Recreation Center.[57]

Sports with both varsity and club-level teams at the university include baseball and soccer among men's sports, and lacrosse, soccer, volleyball and water polo among women's sports.

Co-ed club teams

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  • Cycling
  • Sailing
  • Skiing & Snowboarding
  • Surfing
  • Tennis
  • Triathlon
  • Waterskiing & Wakesports

Men's club teams

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  • Baseball
  • Crew
  • Ice Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo

Women's club teams

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  • Dance
  • Gymnastics
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo

Championships

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NCAA tournament appearances

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The San Diego State Aztecs have competed in the NCAA tournament across 16 active sports (6 men's and 10 women's) 191 times at the Division I FBS level.[58]

  • Baseball (14): 1979 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1986 • 1990 • 1991 • 2009 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2017 • 2018
  • Men's basketball (14): 1975 • 1976 • 1985 • 2002 • 2006 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2018 • 2021 • 2022
  • Women's basketball (9): 1984 • 1985 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1997 • 2009 • 2010 • 2012
  • Women's cross country (1): 1981
  • Football (18): 1947 • 1951 • 1966 • 1967 • 1969 • 1986 • 1991 • 1998 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019
  • Men's golf (23): 1960 • 1962 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1970 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1999 • 2003 • 2005 • 2008 • 2011 • 2012 • 2015 • 2016
  • Men's soccer (8): 1969 • 1982 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 2005 • 2006 • 2016
  • Women's soccer (7): 1998 • 1999 • 2009 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2017
  • Softball (11): 2001 • 2003 • 2006 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 2022
  • Women's swimming and diving (8): 1982 • 2010 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2017 • 2019
  • Men's tennis (7): 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2002 • 2003 • 2005 • 2015
  • Women's tennis (22): 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2002 • 2003 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2009 • 2013
  • Women's indoor track and field (10): 2006 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019
  • Women's outdoor track and field (22): 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1998 • 1999 • 2001 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019
  • Women's volleyball (14): 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 2001 • 2012
  • Women's water polo (3): 2007 • 2008 • 2016

National championships

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Division I championships

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The Aztecs of San Diego State have earned 1 NCAA national championship at the Division I level.[42]

  • Men's Volleyball (1): 1973
School yearSportOpponentScore
1972–73Men's volleyballLong Beach State3–1

Division II championships

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San Diego State won 7 national championships while at the Division II level.[42]

  • Men's cross country (3): 1965, 1966, 1967
  • Men's track and field (outdoor) (2): 1965, 1966
  • Men's swimming and diving (2): 1965, 1966

The Aztecs also claimed 3 national team titles at the varsity level while a member of NCAA Division II that were not bestowed by the NCAA (being awarded instead by sponsors of College Division football polls):

NAIA championship

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Basketball (1): 1941 (NAIA)

Other championships

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SDSU's cheerleading and dance teams have won national championships.

  • Cheerleading (2): 2009, 2011
  • Dance (1): 2011

Below are eleven national club team championships:

  • Men's badminton (1): 1976 (ABA)
  • Flowboarding (1): 2011 (CBS)
  • Rugby (1): 1987 (USA Rugby)
  • Sailing (2): 1968, 1969 (ICSA)
  • Surfing (2): 2007, 2013 (NSSA)
  • Men's water polo (1): 2017 (CWPA)
  • Women's water polo (1): 2014 (CWPA)
  • Waterskiing (2): 1979, 2006 (NCWSA)

Individual Championships

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San Diego State has had 15 individuals win NCAA individual national championships at the Division I level.[42]

NCAA individual championships
OrderSchool yearAthlete(s)SportSource
11933–34Jack RandMen's outdoor track and field[59]
21946–47Willie SteeleMen's outdoor track and field[59]
31947–48Willie SteeleMen's outdoor track and field[59]
41948–49Bob SmithMen's outdoor track and field[59]
51949–50Bob SmithMen's outdoor track and field[59]
61964–65Larry GodfreyMen's outdoor track and field[59]
71969–70Arnie RobinsonMen's outdoor track and field[59]
81975–76Quentin WheelerMen's outdoor track and field[59]
91983–84Ramona PagelWomen's outdoor track and field[60]
101984–85Laura De SnooWomen's outdoor track and field[60]
111984–85LaTanya SheffieldWomen's outdoor track and field[60]
122011–12Whitney AshleyWomen's outdoor track and field[60]
132012–13Shanieka RickettsWomen's outdoor track and field[59]
142013–14Shanieka RickettsWomen's indoor track and field[61]
152013–14Shanieka RickettsWomen's outdoor track and field[60]

At the NCAA Division II level, San Diego State garnered 14 individual championships.[42] In 1975 Barbara Barrow won the women's national intercollegiate individual golf championship after a tie-breaker playoff (an event conducted by the AIAW, which was succeeded by the current NCAA women's golf championship).

National Award Winners

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Corbett Award
YearNamePosition
2000Cedric DempseyAthletic Director
2007Fred L. MillerAthletic Director

Rivals

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SDSU athletics has had a formidable rivalry with the BYU Cougars of Brigham Young University since at least the 1980s when both programs were members of the Western Athletic Conference. The rivalry intensified after both schools left the conference to become charter members of the Mountain West Conference in 1999. Through their many years in the same conferences, the Aztecs and Cougars were routinely each-others toughest competition for conference championships in numerous sports among both the men and women. The Cougars departed the Mountain West in 2011, though the programs continue to compete semi-regularly. Men's basketball and football have represented the most high-profile contests of the rivalry.[62][63]

Fresno State

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San Diego State has a longtime rivalry with California State University, Fresno, primarily stemming from the American football rivalry dating back to the 1920s. The two schools have competed against each other in over 55 football, 50 men's basketball, and 190 baseball matches.[64][65][66] The two institutions are popular choices and top-tier schools in the California State University system, and often compete for national attention in athletics from conference play to the postseason across many sports.[67]

San Diego

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The Aztecs have a local rivalry with the University of San Diego's San Diego Toreros, emphasizing the competition in college men's basketball. The city of San Diego heavily relies on this rivalry, which features many competitions in a neutral location such as Petco Park across many sports.[68] The two schools, approximately separated by 9 miles, have different cultures yet fiercely compete for city visibility. San Diego State's student section, The Show, chants "LITTLE SISTERS!" or "LITTLE BROTHERS!" and "WE RUN SD!" during and after each victory in the college rivalry.[69]

UC San Diego

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Though more of a rivalry historically outside of sports, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), the other major public university in San Diego, represents another local rival of SDSU. The UC San Diego Tritons joined NCAA Division I in 2020. Similar to the way SDSU's student section, The Show, refers to the San Diego Toreros, they often refer to the UC San Diego Tritons as the "little brothers" or "little sisters".[70][71]

San Jose State

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El Camino Real Rivalry

The rivalry between the two Cal State schools dates back to 1935. The matchup is named after the historic 600-mile Camino Real that connects the 21 Spanish missions in California, stretching from San Diego Bay in the south to San Francisco Bay in the north.

A common storyline in sports, is that of the San Francisco Bay Area vs. Southern California rivalry, such as the Giants and the Dodgers in the MLB, and the Sharks and Kings in the NHL. This SJSU and SDSU rivalry benefits from that sort of bragging rights perspective that both teams undoubtedly look to hold onto each year.[72]

In 2014, there were conversations between the two programs about creating a trophy using an old mission bell or a replica of an old Spanish mission bell to be awarded to the winner of the rivalry game, but no trophy ever materialized.[73]

Aztec Hall of Fame inductees

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See: Hall of fame and footnote[74]

1988
• Chris Gaines - Aztec marching Band Singer (1988)
Willie Buchanon - Football (1970–71)
John D. 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)
Charles E. Peterson - Football Coach (1921–29); M. Basketball Coach (1921–26);

Track & Field Coach (1922–46)
• Milton Phelps - M. Basketball (1939–41)
• Art Preston - Football (1949–51); Baseball (1950–52)
Arnie Robinson - M. Track & Field (1970–71)
Dennis Shaw - Football (1968–69)
Brian Sipe - Football (1969–71)
Willie Steele - M. Track & Field (1947–48); M. Basketball (1947); Baseball (1949)
1989
Kevin Crow - M. Soccer (1979–82)
Morris Gross - Baseball, M. Basketball, Football (1922–1924, 1926–1927);

M. Basketball Coach (1929–42); Baseball Coach (1931–1932); Director of Athletics (1935–1941)
Tony Gwynn - Baseball (1979–81); M. Basketball (1978–81)
Don Horn - Football (1965–66)
• Jack Rand - M. Track & Field (1934–35); Football (1932–34)
1990
• Tim Delaney - Football (1968–70)
Art Linkletter - M. Basketball (1932–34); M. Swimming & Diving (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)
1992
Barbara Barrow - W. Golf (1974–77)
Bud Black - Baseball (1978–79)
• Tony Pinkins - M. Basketball (1955–57)
• Bob Smith - M. Track & Field (1949–50)
Charlie Smith - Baseball Coach (1934–64)
Deby LaPlante - W. Track & Field (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, M. Track & Field (1966–68)
LaTanya Sheffield - W. Track & Field (1983–86)
1994
• Patricia Mang - Softball (1987–88)
Chris Marlowe - M. Volleyball (1972–73); M. Basketball (1970–73)
Bill Schutte - 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 & Field (1925–28)
Ramona Pagel - W. Track & Field (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 De Snoo - W. Track & Field (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 - M. Basketball (1966–67-68)
• Nicole Storto - W. Tennis (1990–93)
Angela Rock - W. Volleyball (1981–84)
Marla Runyan - W. Track & 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 - W. Track & 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-Williams - W. Cross Country, W. Track & Field (1980–82)
2006
Bob Breitbard - Football (1938–40 Player, 1945 Coach)
Kim Goetz - M. Basketball (1978–79)
Cynthia MacGregor - W. Tennis (1983–86)
• Neal Petties - Football (1961–63)
• Craig Scoggins - Football (1965–66)
2007
Bob Cluck - Baseball (1966–67)
Mike Dodd - M. Basketball (1975–79), M. Volleyball (1978–80)
• John "Jake" Duich - Football (1935, 1937–38)
Steve Duich - Football (1966–67)
• Jay Gutowski - Football (1953–56)
Bobby Meacham - Baseball (1979–81)
• Rachel Scott - W. Water Polo (1995–98)
2008
Isaac Curtis - Football (1972)
• John Farris - Football (1962–64)
• Kieishsha Garnes - W. Basketball (1991–92)
Mark Grace - Baseball (1985)
Bobby Howard - Football (1965–66)
2009
• 1966 Wire Service College Division Football National Champions
• Toni Himmer - W. Volleyball (1980–83)
• Oliver Maiberger - M. Tennis (2000–03)
• Mario Mendez - Football (1961–63)
Jeff Staggs - Football (1965–66)
Ralph Wenzel - Football (1964–65)
2010
• Tonette Dyer - W. Track & Field (2002–05)
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila - Football (1996–99)
La'Roi Glover - Football (1992–95)
Doug Harvey - Baseball (1955–56)
John Hyden - M. Volleyball (1992–95)
• Fred Miller - Director of Athletics (1985–95)
2011
• Dick Barnes - M. Basketball (1946, 1948–50)
• Sandra Durazo - Softball (1998–2001)
Kyle Turley - Football (1994–97)
Quentin Wheeler - M. Track & Field (1975–76)
• 1958 NAIA Baseball National Champions (1958)
2012
• Dr. O. Kenneth Karr Jr. - Director of Athletics (1969–78)
Randy Holcomb - M. Basketball (2001–02)
• Mike Malano - Football (1996–99)
Liane Sato - W. Volleyball (1985–86)
J. R. Tolver - Football (1999–2002)
2013
Brandon Heath - M. Basketball (2003–07)
Mark Reynolds - Sailing (1975–79)
• Choc Sportsman - Track & Field Coach (1947–66)
• Michelle Suman - W. Basketball (1991–95)
Don Warren - Football (1976–79)
2014
Kirk Morrison - Football (2000–04)
Stephen Strasburg - Baseball (2007–09)
• Pete Inge - Football (1976–79)
• Kyle Whittemore - M. Soccer (1984–88)
• Shayla Balentine - W. Track & Field (2002–05)
2015
• Billy Blanton - Football (1994–96)
• Ed Imo - Football (1976–77)
• Larry Godfrey - M. Track & Field (1965)
• Karoline Koehler - W. Track & Field (2007–10)
Anthony Watson - M. Basketball (1983–86)
2016
Kawhi Leonard - M. Basketball (2009–11)
• Leon Parma - Football (1948–50)
Noel Prefontaine - Football (1995–96)
Miesha McKelvy-Jones - W. Track & Field (1997–99)
Steve Williams - M. Track & Field (1973–74)
2017
Steve Fisher - M. Basketball Coach (1999–2017)
D.J. Gay - M. Basketball (2007–11)
Whitney Ashley - W. Track & Field (2011–12)
Craig Penrose - Football (1974–75)
• Whip Walton - Football (1974–77)
2018
Jamaal Franklin - M. Basketball (2011–13)
• Holly Hartzell - W. Water Polo (2001–04)
Lon Hinkle - M. Golf (1970–72)
• Travis Hitt - Football (1973–76)
Larry Ned - Football (1998–2001)
• Ernie Anderson - Photographer
2019
Jim Dietz - Baseball Coach (1972–2002)
Tally Hall - M. Soccer (2003–06)
Jené Morris - W. Basketball (2008–10)
Xavier Thames - M. Basketball (2011–14)
Shanieka Ricketts - W. Track & Field (2011–14)

Notable athletes

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See also the List of San Diego State University people

Footnotes

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  1. ^ During the Aztecs' tenure in the stadium, the venue was also known as Jack Murphy Stadium, Qualcomm Stadium, and SDCCU Stadium.

References

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