Undefeated, Untied, and Uninvited [Hardcover]

Kristine Setting Clark (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 26, 2002

In 1951 the University of San Francisco football team (the Dons) went undefeated and untied. Yet, despite being among the best college football teams of all time, the squad was not invited to play in a post season bowl game because two of its players were African-American. The team was offered the chance to compete without the players, but they unanimously refused on principle. “The story of the 1951 University of San Francisco football team is a remarkable tale. I heard Pete Rozelle talk about it many times. It is a story that transcends football into the realm of the human spirit. I know it made a lasting impression on Pete, and the team clearly had a major impact on the NFL.” -Paul Tagliabue - NFL Commissioner

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If we had Notre Dame written on the backs of our jerseys they'd still be writing books about us." -- —Gino Marchetti, Baltimore Colts, NFL Hall of Fame

"If we had an expansion franchise, I would start it with just that team. They were so great!" -- —Pete Rozelle, Former NFL Commissioner

"Once uninvited, undefeated and unsung, but no longer unappreciated." -Dave Anderson -- The New York Times

"The 1951 Don's team is an extraordinary story." -John McClain -- Houston Chronicle

"The USF team chose honor instead of glory." -Dwight Chapin -- San Francisco Chronicle

"The best team you never heard of." -- —Ron Fimrite, Sports Illustrated

The book is well-researched and gets off to a good start with forewords by Marchetti, Matson, St. Clair and Toler. -- L.A. Times May 29, 2002

From the Publisher

They were the "Magnificent 11" that no one had ever heard of. The team exhibited a roster of players and personnel that read like a "who's who" of gridiron heroes. Undefeated, Untied, and Uninvited goes behind the scenes to explore the successes and challenges as well as the unpredictable events that faced the Dons.

Forewords by: Pro Football Hall of Fame Members Gino Marchetti, Ollie Matson, and Bob St. Clair, and National Football League Official Burl Toler

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Griffin Publishing Group; First Edition, First Printing. edition (April 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580001076
• ISBN-13: 978-1580001076
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #735,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Basketball > College & University

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MEMORABLE STORY, June 24, 2002

By 

Joan K. Marchetti (West Chester, PA. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Undefeated, Untied, and Uninvited (Hardcover)

Kris Clark wrote a sincere and truthful version of a story that has been told to me numerous times by my husband, Gino Marchetti.
The loyalty of these teammates is something to be admired, and that loyalty exists to this day. When Gino and the guys meet----the years melt away. It is wonderful to see their story in print and to remember the football years at USF.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Memories, August 7, 2003

By 

Maureen Lechwar (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Undefeated, Untied, and Uninvited (Hardcover)

As a USF alum, I was familiar with the 1951 football team. When I first announced to my dad that I was going to the University of San Francisco, he responded with, "Burl Toler, Ollie Matson, Gino Marchetti, Bill Russell, K.C. Jones." Over the years, I have had the opportunity to meet some of these gentlemen, their teammates and classmates. I was excited when I first heard about this book. The "word of mouth" history would finally be documented. In most instances, the spoken word has a tendency to be exaggerated. However, as I read about the feats of this team, I discovered that the words never adequately addressed the accomplishments of these gentlemen. I have observed first hand the cohesiveness that is the hallmark of this team. They like each other and that is the one attribute that is stressed throughout the book. Their admiration for each other is evident. They were a unit that worked together to carve out their own niche in the annals of history. They achieved what the rest of the country in that era could not fully comprehend - equality, humanity. Most of the story is a compilation of the news clippings which may disappoint some readers. However, for this reader, it was an affirmation of the reality. When I finished the book, I smiled a bit broader and stood slightly taller. I am so proud to be a USF alum and to know that those who preceded me at the University were men of honor, morality and courage.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely one of the best books of the year!, June 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Undefeated, Untied, and Uninvited (Hardcover)

I read this book in one sitting. I could not put it down. It covers the end of a forgotten and lightly regarded era of college football. In the 16 years between 1936 and 1951 five independent California colleges (Santa Clara, St. Mary's, College of the Pacific, University of San Francisco, and Loyola University of Los Angeles) ranked in the Associated Press top 20 a total of 11 times. Santa Clara won two Sugar Bowls, an Orange Bowl and was the only team to defeat Bud Wilkinson's 1948 Oklahoma juggernaught. The 1949 COP team had a backfield of 3 future pro players (Eddie Le Baron, Eddie Macon, and Tom McCormick), was undefeated over an 11 game schedule, and averaged 52 points a game. The 1950 Loyola team put 7 players into the pros including Gene Brito (a defensive end for the Redskins, Richard Nixon's favorite football player, and an NFL Hall of Famer). But the crowning achievement of the era was the 1951 USF team. And this book is about them.

No other college team in history even comes close. Ten players made it to the NFL. Three are in the NFL Hall of Fame: Ollie Matson of the Cardinals and Rams and the only man other than Jim Thorpe to achieve All-American in football and win an Olympic Medal in Track and Field, Gino Marchetti of the Colts - the greatest defensive end of all time, and Bob St. Clair the greatest tackle in the history of 49er football. If this team had been named Oklahoma, Notre Dame, or Florida State they would still be singing songs about them.

But the real story in the book is about courage and integrity.
The football program at USF was in danger of being discontinued because the small Jesuit school could not afford the cost of maintaining a big time football enterprise. A bowl bid might have saved the program. But even though the team was undefeated and untied no bowl bids were going to be offered unless the two black players on the team stayed home. This involved the contemporary racial politics of the South. The school and the team declined the condition and the next year USF dropped the sport.

Kris Clark has done an absolutely beautiful job putting this book together. It is well written, wonderfully researched, and engaging. I really recommend this book even if you are not much of a sports fan. The story and the characters will stay with you forever.