# Pacific Tigers football

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.
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. 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
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. Don Campora and Eddie LeBaron were both selected in the following 1950 NFL draft

## Conference affiliations

* 1895–1921: Independent
* 1922–1923: California Coast Conference
* 1924: Independent
* 1925–1942: Far West Conference
* 1943–1945: Independent
* 1946–1948: California Collegiate Athletic Association
* 1949–1968: Independent
* 1969–1995: Pacific Coast Athletic Association/Big West Conference

## 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 6 bowl games total, but only 3 NCAA-sanctioned bowl games with a record of 2–1.
| 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

## Home stadiums

* 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)
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 75 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, 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). 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.
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. 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. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center was held on October 17, 2014.
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."

## Rivalries
### 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. 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. 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.
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

* Pop Warner Trophy
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.$^{:113}$ 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
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
AFCA Coach of the Year :
| Year | Name | Position |
| 1943 | Amos Alonzo Stagg | Head Coach |
* Football Writers Association of America Coach of the Year
Football Writers Association of America Coach of the Year :
| Year | Name | Position |
| 1943 | Amos Alonzo Stagg | Head Coach |
* Corbett Award
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."
* National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Award
NFF National Scholar-Athlete Award :
| Year | Name | Position |
| 1979 | Bruce Filarsky | DL |

## Individual honors
### Retired numbers

Pacific Tigers retired numbers :
| No. | Player | Pos. | Tenure | No. ret. |
| 22 | Dick Bass | HB | 1955–1958 | September 1984 |
| 39 | Willard Harrell | RB | 1971–1974 | May 1986 |
| 40 | Eddie LeBaron | QB | 1946–1949 | March 1950 |
| 41 | Eddie Macon | HB | 1949–1951 | April 2008 |

### 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

* Pete Carroll
* Hue Jackson
* Walt Harris
* Ron Turner
* Greg Robinson
* Jon Gruden
* Ed Donatell
* Dante Scarnecchia
* Bruce Coslet
* Greg Seamon
* Brad Seely
* John Fassel
* Chester Caddas
* Bob Lee
* Jack Myers
* Tom Flores
* Michael Meriwether
* Nick Holt
* Eddie LeBaron
* Don Campora
* Bob Cope
* Eddie Macon
* Amos Alonzo Stagg
* Wayne Hardin
* Dick Bass
* Willard Harrell
* Troy Kopp
* Willie Hector
* John Nisby
* Wayne Hawkins