The Ties That Bind

Tossing a mortarboard on Welch Field. Attending a windy Giants game. Kneeling in St. Ignatius Church for the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Even … howling at the sky? If any of this sounds familiar from your time on the Hilltop, congratulations! You’re part of a USF tradition.

“I have a vivid Fog ’n Grog memory of watching the Giants/Cubs playoff game there,” says Vincent Fillari ’90, remembering the pub in the University Center. “Will Clark hit a massive home run and the place erupted. I still feel the peanut shells under my shoes. Great times!”

Whether you were part of the Fog ’n Grog era or screamed until you lost your voice at Donaroo, the activities and events that bind us don’t just make great memories. They also make us who we are.

“Traditions are a profound way to generate a sense of belonging and solidarity because they ritualize what we do,” says Evelyn Rodriguez, professor of sociology.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane and explore some USF traditions, customs, and ceremonies.

7 Traditions From the Past 6 Decades

1. Donaroo

USF’s answer to Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, and Coachella, the annual spring music festival on the Hilltop started as part of USF’s annual homecoming week in 2007 and was known as Fall Fest. Starting with the rapper Common, the event has featured names like Doechii, Anderson .Paak, E-40, Wyclef Jean, Tinashe, Cold War Kids, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and Mike Posner. It moved to spring in 2013 and was branded as Donaroo the following year.

2. USF Night at the Ballpark Giants Game

Each spring, USF and the San Francisco Giants offer Dons a night at Oracle Park, complete with USF/Giants swag.

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3. Incoming class year photo on Welch Field

First-year Dons gather on the lawn between St. Ignatius Church and Kalmanovitz Hall to be photographed as a group in an aerial photo captured by a drone.

4. Tri Gamma Fashion Show

USF’s nursing women’s organization just celebrated its 59th fashion show. Each year, Tri Gamma chooses a new Bay Area charity to benefit from the proceeds of the event.

"This year, all proceeds from our fashion show will benefit Child Advocates of Silicon Valley, an organization that provides crucial support to youth in foster care to ensure that each child has a voice," says Francie Louise Paguirigan '26, one of the chairs of this year's event. Co-chair Kaitlyn Nario '25 says the evening includes "fun performances, stylish models from various USF organizations, raffle prizes, and a silent auction."

5. Alumni Thanksgiving Food Drive

USF’s Thanksgiving Food Drive will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025. The drive started by the Alumni Board of Governors in 1995 has become popular across campus, and alumni, faculty, staff, and students came together in 2024 to provide Thanksgiving meals to 160 families in the Western Addition and Tenderloin neighborhoods. “I vividly remember watching a line of Dons baseball teammates jog up from the Lucky’s on Fulton on Food Drive day, each carrying a 15-pound turkey,” says Julie Congi, retired USF athletic events coordinator.

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6. Philippine Cultural Night

This annual event, formerly known as Barrio Fiesta (with a reputation for pit-roasting a pig on Lone Mountain), showcases the talents of Dons with Philippine heritage via skits, traditional dances, music (including rondalla), and spoken word.

7. Hui O Hawai’i Annual Lu’au

For more than 50 years, USF’s Hawaiian cultural club has celebrated traditional Hawaiian dancing, food, and music.

Hui 'O Hawai'i's lū'au is one of the longest-running cultural events on campus, first celebrated in 1974, says club vice president Ari Ho'ohuli. "Recently, we embraced a name change for the event from lū'au to hō'ike. Hō'ike better reflects its purpose — not simply a feast, but a way of storytelling through mele (song), mea 'ai (food), and hula that reflects our commitment to cultural authenticity and education. Many of our alumni return each year — their presence highlights the lasting impact of the club and its role in fostering a sense of ohana far from home."

I vividly remember watching a line of Dons baseball teammates jog up from the Lucky’s on Fulton on Food Drive day, each carrying a 15-pound turkey.”

Julie CongiRetired USF Athletic Events Coordinator

6 Customs That Will Take You Back to Your Time at USF

1. Riding the 5

More than 6,500 people ride the 5 Fulton Muni line every day, and it passes in front of campus, giving students an easy shot to downtown or Ocean Beach.

"Riding the 5 Fulton is a quick and easy way to get to and from campus," says Sophia Dwyer '25. "On the way, I usually pass by local grocery stores and sometimes run into friends. There are always a few other USF students on board, and after class, I wait at the stop with other Dons, all heading home after a day on campus."

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2. Climbing the Lone Mountain Steps

One thing all Dons have in common is memories of aching legs and panting breath.

3. The “World Famous Turkey Sandwich” at Arguello Market

Since 1984, the market has churned out turkey sandwiches big enough to provide Dons with lunch and dinner. The market goes through 12 25-pound turkeys a day and turkey sandwiches make up 70 percent of orders.

4. Attending bonfires at Ocean Beach

From March 1 to Oct. 31, Dons can claim a firepit and build a bonfire to warm up by the waves.

5. Joining or enjoying the College Players

Acting, singing, dancing, directing, lighting, set designing — the oldest student-run theater company west of the Mississippi has welcomed students from all majors and backgrounds since 1863.

6. The Night Howl

What began as a prank on first-years has become an annual event. The statue of two wolves flanking a kettle signifies St. Ignatius’ willingness to share what worldly goods he had with those who had the least among society — hungry animals. To honor the first Jesuit and to have a laugh, older Dons told a tale during the 2018 student orientation about how, for over a century, new USF students have howled at the moon in front of the statue outside Gleeson Library. It worked — and it stuck.

4 Ceremonies We’re All Familiar With

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1. Mass of the Holy Spirit

Dating back to 1548, Jesuit schools begin the academic year with a special mass. Dons gather at the start of each fall semester to ask for guidance, wisdom, and inspiration in the coming year.

2. Commencement in St. Ignatius Church

Nervous energy while lining up in black gowns in the vestibule of St. Ignatius Church gives way to raucous celebration outside on Welch Field as caps are tossed and champagne is popped.

3. Dons Basketball Tip-Off Gala

Fans, supporters, athletes, and coaches dress up to celebrate the start of a new basketball season.

4. Swanson Memorial Golf Tournament

Believed to be the longest-running tournament held at The Olympic Club golf course, the game honoring USF football hall of famer and golf aficionado John Swanson ’38 is held the first Monday in May.

5 Memories, One Dating Back to the 1950s

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1. Human Resources Chili Cook-Off

Each year, HR would sponsor a chili cook-off among departments across campus. They’d sell tastes on Welch Field to students, who’d vote on their favorite. All proceeds went to the Hamilton Women’s Shelter.2. Faculty and Staff Halloween Costume Parade

2. Faculty and Staff Halloween Costume Parade

Students used to love watching (and laughing at?) their teachers and favorite staffers marching in a line across campus, decked out in their Halloween finest.

3. Dumpster bonfire before the first basketball game of the season

To kick off Dons basketball, students would build and light a bonfire in a dumpster in Harney Plaza.

4. Pre-game gatherings at the Fog ’n Grog

The first pub on a college campus in California to receive a beer license, the Fog ’n Grog opened in 1974 and was a popular watering hole, featuring student bands like On Tap and $1 beer on Thursday nights. It closed in 1998, but rumors of its return have long been featured in the Foghorn’s April Fool’s Day issues.

5. Class of ’51 Football Team singing Goodnight, Irene

Known for their perfect season in 1951, but more for their deep devotion to one another (when told they had to leave the two Black members of their team behind in order to participate in the Orange Bowl, they refused), the college team that produced more NFL Hall of Famers than any other would sing “Goodnight, Irene” along with their supporters at Kezar Stadium after every game — and at every reunion and team celebration held thereafter.