A prominent California university is severing ties with its nearly century-old mascot, pulling the pin on a 92-year-old tradition following student backlash over colonial history.

The University of San Francisco announced Friday that “The Don” — a costumed figure sporting a pencil mustache and a green Spanish-style hat that has patrolled the sidelines since 1932 — will officially step aside at the start of the spring 2027 semester.

In his place, the college will introduce a wolf, though its athletic teams will still retain the traditional “Dons” nickname.

The mascot originally honored Don Francisco de Haro, the first mayor of Yerba Buena before it became San Francisco.

While the Spanish honorific translates to “of noble origin,” the figure sparked widespread debate in 2022 when USF’s student government passed a formal resolution demanding its removal, arguing the character symbolized the exploitation and subjugation of California’s Indigenous people.

A student petition supporting the measure gathered more than 400 signatures, urging campus administrators to phase out the colonial-era imagery and form a joint task force to select a replacement.

USF President Salvador Aceves framed the transition as a natural evolution for the university alongside newly appointed athletic director Brent Blaylock.

“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,” Aceves said. “At the same time, we will proudly remain the University of San Francisco Dons.”

Former student government vice president Ariana Anayat, who led the initial push four years ago, praised the outcome, saying she was “elated” to see the long campaign finally come to fruition.

However, the decision sparked mixed reactions across the university community, with several alumni venting their frustration online and accusing the administration of unnecessarily rewriting decades of campus sports history.

University officials said the incoming wolf emblem maintains a connection to its Jesuit heritage, referencing the bronze “Los Lobos de Loyola” statues on campus that depict the 15th-century family coat of arms of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

The administration plans to consult students and staff on the final costume design in the coming months.

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