The University of San Francisco will be saying goodbye to its mascot of 92 years following demands from students.
On Friday, the university announced that it is officially retiring “The Don” at the beginning of the spring 2027 semester. The “costumed figure sporting a pencil mustache and a green Spanish-style hat” has been a part of the sporting scene since 1932 and “originally honored Don Francisco de Haro, the first mayor of Yerba Buena before it became San Francisco,” according to The New York Post.
Despite being a long-standing mascot, “The Don” faced pushback in 2022 when a student petition argued that he represented the exploitation of the local area’s indigenous population. It urged the university to appoint a group to consider a replacement icon and ultimately gathered over 400 signatures.
The new mascot will be a wolf, though the sports teams will continue to be called the “Dons.”
“With new leadership at USF and in Dons Athletics, we believe the time is right to revitalize our image and embrace a new mascot, one that is known for its intelligence, endurance and ability to work cooperatively in its pack. At the same time, we will proudly remain the University of San Francisco Dons,” said USF President Salvador Aceves.
X users reacted:
Sounds like a lame April Fool’s joke but instead just another example of extremely weak university leadership. 400 signatures on a petition? 🤣
@USFDonsAD and @DonsAthletics you’re an embarrassment.
https://t.co/DTzSkZkh1t— mike hiserman (@MikeHiserman) November 2, 2026
An absolutely asinine move.
— Don Solo (@DonSolo96) November 2, 2026
How can 400 signatures dictate a change. What about the thousands of folks who approve of keeping him?
— George watts (@Georgewatt49499) November 2, 2026
Reminds me of when Southwest Minnesota State got rid of Hawaiian Night. Inventing racism when they couldn’t find any.
— Brad Koenig (@MavsLaker) November 2, 2026
These students had to be angry at something and all they could find was a mascot.
— Reboot Seattle (@romans3475) November 2, 2026
Colleges used to teach kids to handle being uncomfortable, now they cancel a 90 year old mascot the second someone complains
— The Master of Violence (@TheMasterOf) November 2, 2026
Tbf, it’s not like any of us thought san fran wasn’t already gay. I’m just surprised it took them this long. Like were they too busy shoveling needles and shit off their streets to have time to be this woke?!
— J L (@IlhansBrother) November 2, 2026
The brats have struck a blow against a silly mascot.
What a contribution to the world.
And the courage of college administrators must be applauded!— LoloBean (@Patrick60284382) November 2, 2026
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Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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