100 Notable alumni of
San Diego State University
Updated:
San Diego State University is 190th in the world, 82nd in North America, and 79th in the United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 100 notable alumni from San Diego State University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff.
-
Kawhi Leonard
- Enrolled in San Diego State University
- Studied in 2007
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
-
Kawhi Anthony Leonard is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A two-time NBA champion, he is a six-time All-Star and a six-time member of the All-NBA Team (including three First Team selections). Nicknamed the "Claw" or "Klaw" for his ball-hawking skills and exceptionally large hands, Leonard is often regarded as one of the greatest two-way players in NBA history, earning seven All-Defensive Team selections and winning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2015 and 2016. In 2021, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
-
Gregory Peck
- Occupations
- character actorproducerfilm producerfilm actorstage actor
- Biography
-
Eldred Gregory Peck was an American actor and one of the most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1970s. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Peck the 12th-greatest male star of Classic Hollywood Cinema.
-
Carl Weathers
- Enrolled in San Diego State University
- Graduated with Master of Arts
- Occupations
- film actorCanadian football playeractorscreenwriterfilm producer
- Biography
-
Carl Weathers was an American actor, director and a former football player. His prominent roles included boxer Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films (1976–1985), Colonel Al Dillon in Predator (1987), Chubbs Peterson in Happy Gilmore (1996), and Combat Carl in the Toy Story franchise. He also portrayed Det. Beaudreaux in the television series Street Justice (1991–1993) and a fictionalized version of himself in the comedy series Arrested Development (2004, 2013), and voiced Omnitraxus Prime in Star vs. the Forces of Evil (2017–2019). He had a recurring role as Greef Karga in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian (2019–2023), for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.
-
Kathy Najimy
- Occupations
- voice actorfilm actorcomedianstage actorfilm director
- Biography
-
Kathy Ann Najimy is an American actress and activist. She was first nationally known for her feminist play The Kathy and Mo Show, which she wrote and performed with Mo Gaffney. On film, she is best known for her roles in Soapdish (1991), Sister Act (1992) and its sequel (1993), Hocus Pocus (1993) and its sequel (2022), Hope Floats (1998), The Wedding Planner (2001), Rat Race (2001), WALL-E (2008), Step Up 3D (2010), The Guilt Trip (2012), Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas (2013), A Christmas Melody (2015), Dumplin' (2018), Music (2021), and Single All the Way (2021). On television, she is best known for her portrayal of Olive Massery on the NBC sitcom Veronica's Closet (1997–2000) and for voicing Peggy Hill on the animated television series King of the Hill (1997–2010).
-
Saweetie
- Occupations
- rappersingersongwriter
- Biography
-
Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, known professionally as Saweetie, is an American rapper and singer. Her 2017 debut single, "Icy Grl", received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and led her to sign with Warner Records in a joint venture with her then-manager, Max Gousse's record label, Artistry Worldwide.
-
Kathleen Kennedy
- Occupations
- television producerexecutive producerfilm producerfilm editor
- Biography
-
Kathleen Kennedy is an American film producer who has been president of Lucasfilm since 2012.
-
Crystal Harris
- Occupations
- Playboy Playmatemodel
- Biography
-
Crystal Hefner is an American model who was the Playboy Playmate of the Month for December 2009, and the third wife of Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner from December 2012 until his death in September 2017.
-
Xander Schauffele
- Occupations
- golfer
- Biography
-
Alexander Victor Schauffele is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He won the Tour Championship in 2017 and the gold medal at the men's individual golf event of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He has won two major championships, both in the same year, the 2024 PGA Championship and the 2024 Open Championship.
-
Marion Ross
- Occupations
- actorfilm actorstage actortelevision actorvoice actor
- Biography
-
Marion Ross is an American actress. Her best-known role is that of Marion Cunningham on the ABC television sitcom Happy Days, on which she starred from 1974 to 1984 and for which she received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Before her success on Happy Days, Ross appeared in a variety of film roles, appearing in The Glenn Miller Story (1954), Sabrina (1954), Lust for Life (1956), Teacher's Pet (1958), Some Came Running (1958), Operation Petticoat (1959), and Honky (1971), as well as several minor television roles, one of which was on television's The Lone Ranger (1954). She was also twice nominated successively in 1992 and 1993 for the Primetime Emmy Award for her performance on the CBS television comedy-drama Brooklyn Bridge and later netted another Emmy nomination (her fifth and last) in 1999 for a two-episode appearance on the popular CBS drama Touched by an Angel. Ross also starred in the high-profile, long-anticipated sequel to Terms of Endearment (1983), The Evening Star (1996), in a turn for which she was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress, as well as both a nomination and win for a Lone Star Film and Television Award for Best Supporting Actress.
-
Paige Spiranac
- Occupations
- golfermodel
- Biography
-
Paige Renee Spiranac is an American model, golf instructor, former professional golfer and social media personality. She played Division 1 college golf at both the University of Arizona and San Diego State University, winning All-Mountain West Conference honors during the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons, and leading the Aztecs to their first Mountain West Conference Championship in 2015.
-
Tony Gwynn
- Occupations
- basketball playerbaseball player
- Biography
-
Anthony Keith Gwynn Sr., nicknamed "Mr. Padre", was an American professional baseball right fielder, who played 20 seasons (1982–2001) in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres. The left-handed hitting Gwynn won eight batting titles in his career, which is tied for the most in National League (NL) history. He was a 15-time All-Star and won seven Silver Slugger Awards and five Gold Glove Awards. Gwynn stayed with the Padres his entire career, and played in the only two World Series appearances in San Diego franchise history. Having hit over.300 for 19 straight seasons, Gwynn retired with a.338 career batting average, the highest mark since Ted Williams retired in 1960; Gwynn also holds the highest adjusted batting average of all time with.342. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 in his first year of eligibility, and is widely considered the best pure hitter of his generation.
-
Anwar al-Awlaqi
- Occupations
- engineer
- Biography
-
Anwar Nasser Abdulla al-Awlaki was an American-Yemeni lecturer and jihadist who was killed in 2011 in Yemen by a U.S. government drone strike ordered by President Barack Obama. Al-Awlaki became the first U.S. citizen to be targeted and killed by a drone strike from the U.S. government. U.S. government officials have claimed that al-Awlaki was a key organizer for the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda.
-
Julie Kavner
- Occupations
- film actorvoice actortelevision actoractor
- Biography
-
Julie Deborah Kavner is an American actress. Before becoming well-known for her voice role as Marge Simpson on the animated television series The Simpsons, Kavner attracted notice for her role as Brenda Morgenstern, the younger sister of Valerie Harper's title character in the sitcom Rhoda, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She also voices other characters for The Simpsons, including Marge's mother, Jacqueline Bouvier, sisters Patty and Selma Bouvier, and half-step-great-aunt Eunice Bouvier.
-
Cleavon Little
- Occupations
- film actortelevision actorstage actoractor
- Biography
-
Cleavon Jake Little was an American stage, film and television actor. He began his career in the late 1960s on the stage. In 1970, he starred in the Broadway production of Purlie, for which he earned both a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award. His first leading television role was that of the irreverent Dr. Jerry Noland on the ABC sitcom Temperatures Rising (1972–1974). While starring in the sitcom, Little appeared in what has become his signature performance, portraying Sheriff Bart in the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy film Blazing Saddles.
-
Stephen Strasburg
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
-
Stephen James Strasburg is an American former professional baseball pitcher who spent his entire 13-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Washington Nationals. Strasburg was selected by Washington with the first overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft. He was a three-time All-Star.
-
Fred Dryer
- Occupations
- film directoractortelevision actorAmerican football playerscreenwriter
- Biography
-
John Frederick Dryer is an American actor, radio host, and former professional football player.
-
Robert Hays
- Occupations
- film directorfilm produceractortelevision actorfilm actor
- Biography
-
Robert Blakely Hays is an American actor, known for a variety of television and film roles since the 1970s. He came to prominence around 1980, co-starring in the two-season domestic sitcom Angie, and playing the central role of pilot Ted Striker in the comedy film Airplane! and its sequel. Other film roles include the lead role in the comedy Take This Job and Shove It (1981), and Bob Seaver, one of the main human characters in Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993). On television, he starred in the science fiction series Starman (1986–1987) and the short-lived workplace sitcom FM (1989–1990), voiced Iron Man in Iron Man (1994), and had a guest role as Bud Hyde on That '70s Show (2000).
-
Susanna Thompson
- Occupations
- film actortelevision actorstage actoractor
- Biography
-
Susanna Thompson is an American actress. She is known for her roles in films Little Giants (1994), Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), Random Hearts (1999) and Dragonfly (2002). On television, she played Dr. Lenara Kahn in the episode "Rejoined" in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1995), the Borg Queen in three episodes of Star Trek: Voyager (1999–2000), Karen Sammler on the drama series Once and Again (1999–2002), and Moira Queen on the series Arrow (2012–2020).
-
Marshall Faulk
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
-
Marshall William Faulk is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons and current running backs coach at the University of Colorado. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time.
-
Destin Daniel Cretton
- Occupations
- film screenwriterfilm producerscreenwriterfilm directorfilm editor
- Biography
-
Destin Yori Daniel Cretton is an American filmmaker. He is best known for directing the drama films Short Term 12, The Glass Castle (2017), Just Mercy (2019) as well as the Marvel Studios film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021).
-
Herman Edwards
- Occupations
- American football coachAmerican football player
- Biography
-
Herman Edwards Jr. is an American football coach and former player. He played cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. Edwards was also a head coach in the NFL from 2001 to 2008 with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. Following the conclusion of his NFL coaching career, Edwards was a football analyst at ESPN from 2009 to 2017. He later served as the head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils from 2018 to 2022.
-
Kevin O'Connell
- Occupations
- American football coachAmerican football player
- Biography
-
Kevin William O'Connell, nicknamed "KOC", is an American professional football coach and former quarterback who is the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). O'Connell played college football at San Diego State from 2004 to 2007 and in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons from 2008 to 2012, with his longest tenure (2009–2011) as a player with the New York Jets.
-
Janet Varney
- Occupations
- presenteractorfilm actortelevision actorvoice actor
- Biography
-
Janet Varney is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer. She is known for voicing the character of Korra in the Nickelodeon animated television series The Legend of Korra, co-starring as Sheriff Evie Barret in the television series Stan Against Evil, and a recurring role as Becca Barbara in You're the Worst.
-
J. Michael Straczynski
- Occupations
- television producernovelistfilm directorwriterscience fiction writer
- Biography
-
Joseph Michael Straczynski is an American filmmaker and comic book writer. He is the founder of Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Studio JMS and is known as the creator of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 (1993–1998) and its spinoff Crusade (1999), as well as the series Jeremiah (2002–2004) and Sense8 (2015–2018). He is the executor of the estate of Harlan Ellison.
-
Joe Gibbs
- Occupations
- American football coachNASCAR team ownerAmerican football player
- Biography
-
Joseph Jackson Gibbs is an American auto racing team owner and former football coach. He served as the head coach of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) from 1981 to 1992 and then 2004 to 2007, leading them to nine playoff appearances, five NFC Championship titles, and three Super Bowl wins over 16 seasons.
-
Abby Martin
- Occupations
- film directorjournalisttelevision presenter
- Biography
-
Abigail Suzanne Martin is an American journalist, TV presenter, and activist. She helped found the citizen journalism website Media Roots and serves on the board of directors for the Media Freedom Foundation which manages Project Censored. Martin appeared in the documentary film Project Censored The Movie: Ending the Reign of Junk Food News (2013), and co-directed 99%: The Occupy Wall Street Collaborative Film (2013).
-
John Fox
- Occupations
- American football coachAmerican football player
- Biography
-
John Fox is an American football coach and former player who previously was a senior defensive assistant for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was the head coach of the Carolina Panthers (2002–2010), Denver Broncos (2011–2014) and Chicago Bears (2015–2017) of the National Football League (NFL). He coached the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII and the Broncos to Super Bowl XLVIII.
-
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
- Occupations
- presenterAmerican football player
- Biography
-
Akbar Oluwakemi-Idowu Gbajabiamila is an American former professional football player in the National Football League (NFL) who is a commentator and co-host of American Ninja Warrior and its spinoff American Ninja Warrior Junior. He is also an analyst for the NFL Network, co-hosting the flagship morning show Good Morning Football (and syndicated spinoff/extension show Good Morning Football: Overtime) and was a co-host of The Talk on CBS from 2021–2024.
-
Vic Fuentes
- Occupations
- guitaristsingersongwriter
- Biography
-
Victor Vincent Fuentes is an American musician. He is the co-founder, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the post-hardcore band Pierce the Veil, which he formed with his brother Mike Fuentes in 2006.
-
Ellen Ochoa
- Occupations
- astronautengineer
- Biography
-
Ellen Ochoa is an American engineer, former astronaut and former director of the Johnson Space Center. In 1993, Ochoa became the first Latina woman to go to space when she served on a nine-day mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Ochoa became director of the center upon the retirement of the previous director, Michael Coats, on December 31, 2012. She was the first Latina director and the second female director of Johnson Space Center.
-
Art Linkletter
- Occupations
- radio personalitytelevision presenterbusinesspersonactor
- Biography
-
Arthur Gordon Linkletter was a Canadian-born American radio and television personality. He was the host of House Party, which ran on CBS radio and television for 25 years, and People Are Funny, which aired on NBC radio and television for 19 years. He became a naturalized United States citizen in 1942.
-
Beth Liebling
- Years
- 1967-.. (age 58)
- Occupations
- musician
- Biography
-
Beth Liebling is an American musician who co-founded the Seattle-based experimental instrumental group Hovercraft with guitarist/keyboardist/samplist Ryan Campbell ("Campbell 2000"). She played bass for the band under the stage name Sadie 7. Since 2015, Liebling has been the bassist of the band Teleportal.
-
K. D. Aubert
- Occupations
- modelfilm actortelevision actor
- Biography
-
K. D. Aubert, also known as K.D. Rose, is an American actress and fashion model. She owns her own record label, Roseland.
-
James Sinegal
- Occupations
- entrepreneur
- Biography
-
James D. Sinegal is an American billionaire businessman, co-founder and former CEO of the Costco Wholesale Corporation, an international retail chain. He served as Costco's president and CEO from 1983 until 2011. As CEO of Costco, Sinegal was known for his hands-on humanitarian approach to business, which he learned from his mentor, Sol Price. He prioritised customer and employee satisfaction over shareholder interests and is also known for his philanthropic efforts.
-
Vernor Vinge
- Occupations
- computer scientistscience fiction writerwriteruniversity teachernovelist
- Biography
-
Vernor Steffen Vinge was an American science fiction author and professor. He taught mathematics and computer science at San Diego State University. He was the first wide-scale popularizer of the technological singularity concept and among the first authors to present a fictional "cyberspace". He won the Hugo Award for his novels A Fire Upon the Deep (1992), A Deepness in the Sky (1999), and Rainbows End (2006), and novellas Fast Times at Fairmont High (2001) and The Cookie Monster (2004).
-
Mark Grace
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
-
Mark Eugene Grace is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman who spent 13 seasons with the Chicago Cubs and three seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks of the National League (NL). He was a member of the 2001 World Series champion Diamondbacks that beat the New York Yankees. Grace batted and threw left-handed; he wore jersey number 28 and 17 during his rookie season of 1988, and he kept number 17 for the remainder of his career.
-
Sandi Patty
- Occupations
- recording artistsinger
- Biography
-
Sandra Faye "Sandi" Patty is an American Christian music singer, known for her wide soprano vocal range and expressive flexibility.
-
Gayla Peevey
- Occupations
- child singersinger
- Biography
-
Gayla Rienette Peevey is a former singer and child star from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is best known for her recording of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" (Columbia 4-40106, 1953). Peevey recorded the novelty song when she was 10 years old.
-
Rashaad Penny
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
-
Rashaad Armein Penny is an American former football running back who played for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Seattle Seahawks. He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs and was drafted by the Seahawks in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. After five seasons with the Seahawks, Penny spent one season with the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring in 2024.
-
Jack Blades
- Occupations
- composersinger
- Biography
-
Jack Martin Blades is an American rock musician. He has worked in the bands Rubicon, Night Ranger (as bassist and one of the lead vocalists), and Damn Yankees (as one of the founding members). He has also recorded with Tommy Shaw under the name Shaw Blades and has done work alongside the Tak Matsumoto Group. Blades' most recent efforts include a second solo album and three albums with Revolution Saints, which he was a member of until 2022.
-
Kevin Faulconer
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
-
Kevin Lee Faulconer is an American politician who served as the 36th mayor of San Diego, from 2014 to 2020. A member of the Republican Party, Faulconer served as the member of the San Diego City Council for the 2nd district from 2006 to 2014.
-
Ronnie Hillman
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
-
Ronald Keith Ryan Hillman Jr. was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs, earning third-team All-American honors as a sophomore in 2011. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft and was a member of their team that won Super Bowl 50. Hillman later spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers, and Dallas Cowboys.
-
Bonnie Henry
- Enrolled in San Diego State University
- 1997-1999 graduated with Master of Public Health in epidemiology
- Occupations
- chief medical officer
- Biography
-
Bonnie J. Fraser Henry is a Canadian epidemiologist, physician, and public servant who has been the provincial health officer at the British Columbia Ministry of Health since 2014. Henry is also a clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia. She is a specialist in public health and preventive medicine, and is a family doctor. In her role as provincial health officer, Henry notably led the response to COVID-19 in British Columbia (BC).
-
Greg Bear
- Occupations
- science fiction writerscreenwriterwriterprose writernovelist
- Biography
-
Gregory Dale Bear was an American science fiction writer. His work covered themes of galactic conflict (Forge of God books), parallel universes (The Way series), consciousness and cultural practices (Queen of Angels), and accelerated evolution (Blood Music, Darwin's Radio, and Darwin's Children). His last work was the 2021 novel The Unfinished Land. Greg Bear wrote over 50 books in total.
-
Eric Wynalda
- Occupations
- association football managerassociation football playersports commentator
- Biography
-
Eric Boswell Wynalda is an American soccer coach, television commentator, and former player. He was formerly an analyst and color commentator for soccer coverage on Fox Sports 1 and ESPN. Previously, he served as head coach and technical director of Las Vegas Lights FC in the USL Championship and he is the host of WTF: Wynalda Talks Football on SiriusXM FC.
-
Don Walsh
- Occupations
- naval officeroceanographerexplorer
- Biography
-
Don Walsh was an American oceanographer, U.S. Navy officer and marine policy specialist. While aboard the bathyscaphe Trieste, he and Jacques Piccard made a record maximum descent in the Challenger Deep on January 23, 1960, to 35,813 feet (10,916 m). Later and more accurate measurements have measured it at 35,798 feet (10,911 m).
-
Jamal Duff
- Occupations
- film actoractorAmerican football player
- Biography
-
Jamal E. Duff is an American actor and former professional football player in the National Football League (NFL).
-
Joselyn Cano
- Occupations
- Internet celebritymodelfashion designer
- Biography
-
Joselyn Cano was an American model, fashion designer and Internet personality.
-
Jalen McDaniels
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
-
Jalen Marquis McDaniels is an American professional basketball player for the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the San Diego State Aztecs. He is the older brother of basketball player Jaden McDaniels.
-
Dean Lister
- Occupations
- mixed martial arts fighter
- Biography
-
Dean Richard Lister is a retired American mixed martial artist (MMA) and submission grappler. He is a 4th degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt, luta livre black belt, and coach. Lister is considered a pioneer of grappling and mixed martial arts.
-
Manny MUA
- Years
- 1991-.. (age 34)
- Occupations
- television producerYouTubermake-up artist
- Biography
-
Manuel Gutierrez Jr., known professionally as Manny MUA, is a make-up artist, YouTuber, entrepreneur, and beauty blogger. In 2017, he was the first male brand ambassador in a campaign for the "Big Shot" mascara of the make-up brand Maybelline. In 2018, he founded his own cosmetics company called Lunar Beauty and launched his own cosmetic products.
-
Bud Black
- Occupations
- baseball managerbaseball player
- Biography
-
Harry Ralston "Bud" Black is an American professional baseball manager and former pitcher who is the manager of the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB from 1981 through 1995, most notably for the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians. He coached the Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from 2000 through 2006 and managed the San Diego Padres from 2007 through 2015. He was named the National League Manager of the Year in 2010.
-
Malachi Flynn
- Enrolled in San Diego State University
- Studied in 2018
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
-
Malachi Flynn is an American professional basketball player for the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Washington State Cougars and the San Diego State Aztecs. He was selected by the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft.
-
David Carson
- Occupations
- graphic designerdesigner
- Biography
-
David Carson is an American graphic designer and design director.
-
John Baldessari
- Occupations
- draftspersonprintmakerconceptual artistillustratorsculptor
- Biography
-
John Anthony Baldessari was an American conceptual artist known for his work featuring found photography and appropriated images. He lived and worked in Santa Monica and Venice, California.
-
Jimmy Conrad
- Occupations
- association football playertelevision producerYouTuber
- Biography
-
James Paul Conrad is an American former soccer player who played as a defender. During his 13-year MLS career, he was four-time MLS Best XI and the 2005 MLS Defender of the Year. He also earned 27 caps with the United States men's national soccer team and went to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
-
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
-
Muhammed-Kabeer Olarewaju Gbaja-Biamila Sr., nicknamed "KGB", is an American former professional football player who spent his entire nine-year career as a defensive end for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs. He was selected by Green Bay in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL draft. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2003.
-
Donnel Pumphrey
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
-
Donnel Laray Pumphrey Jr. is an American college football coach and former player who is the running backs coach for California State University, Sacramento, a position he has held since 2023. Pumphrey played college football as a running back for the San Diego State Aztecs. He is the official all-time leader in rushing yards in NCAA Division I FBS history. Pumphrey was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft, and spent offseasons with the Eagles and Detroit Lions. He played for the DC Defenders of the XFL in 2020.
-
Graig Nettles
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
-
Graig Nettles, nicknamed "Puff", is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman. During a 22-year baseball career, he played for the Minnesota Twins (1967–1969), Cleveland Indians (1970–1972), New York Yankees (1973–1983), San Diego Padres (1984–1986), Atlanta Braves (1987), and Montreal Expos (1988).
-
Brian Sipe
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
-
Brian Winfield Sipe is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) from 1974 to 1983. He then played in the United States Football League (USFL) for two seasons.
-
Tony Gwynn, Jr
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
-
Anthony Keith Gwynn Jr. is an American former professional baseball outfielder. Gwynn played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Philadelphia Phillies. The son of Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, he works as a broadcaster for the Padres’ radio network and as an afternoon sports talk host on the Padres' flagship radio station.
-
Joe Corona
- Occupations
- association football player
- Biography
-
Joe Benny Corona Crespín is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder.
-
Marcelo Balboa
- Occupations
- association football playersports commentatorassociation football coach
- Biography
-
Marcelo Balboa is an American former professional soccer player who played as a defender in the 1990s for the United States national team, becoming its captain. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
-
Steven Beitashour
- Occupations
- association football player
- Biography
-
Steven Mehrdad Beitashour is a former professional soccer player who played as a right-back. Born in the United States, he represented the Iran national team.
-
Russell Weiner
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
-
Russell Goldencloud Weiner is an American businessman and works in political fundraising.
-
Brice Butler
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
-
Brice Christian Butler is a former American football wide receiver. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football at USC and San Diego State.
-
Dennis Conner
- Occupations
- sailor
- Biography
-
Dennis Walter Conner is an American yachtsman. He is noted for winning a bronze medal at the 1976 Olympics, two Star World Championships, and three wins in the America's Cup.
-
Arthur R. Jensen
- Enrolled in San Diego State University
- Graduated with Master of Arts
- Occupations
- social workeruniversity teacherpsychologist
- Biography
-
Arthur Robert Jensen was an American psychologist and writer. He was a professor of educational psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. Jensen was known for his work in psychometrics and differential psychology, the study of how and why individuals differ behaviorally from one another.
-
Jamie Little
- Occupations
- sports commentator
- Biography
-
Jamie Little is an American pit reporter and play by play announcer for NASCAR coverage on Fox. Little is a former pit reporter for ESPN/ABC coverage of the Indy Racing League, although she returned to her pit reporting duty for the 2007 and 2008 Indianapolis 500 as well as the 2013 Firestone 550, and NASCAR on ESPN. Little joined ESPN in 1998 and covered both the Winter and Summer X Games. She is well known among the motocross and extreme sports community for being a pit reporter on ESPN's Motoworld program. Little won the 2008 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, edging out Craftsman Truck Series champion Mike Skinner by 0.324 seconds.
-
Ken Calvert
- Enrolled in San Diego State University
- In 1975 graduated with Bachelor of Arts
- Occupations
- politicianbusiness executive
- Biography
-
Kenneth Stanton Calvert is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 41st congressional district, and previously the 44th, 42nd, and 43rd, serving since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is part of the Inland Empire of Southern California.
-
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane
- Occupations
- mixed martial arts fighter
- Biography
-
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the flyweight division of Bellator MMA. She is the inaugural and former Bellator Women's Flyweight World Champion.
-
Ryan Lindley
- Occupations
- Canadian football playerAmerican football player
- Biography
-
Ryan George Lindley is an American football coach and former quarterback who is currently the senior offensive analyst at San Diego State University. He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs, and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft. Lindley was also a member of the San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and Ottawa Redblacks.
-
Courtney Friel
- Occupations
- journalist
- Biography
-
Courtney Friel is an anchor and reporter on television in the U.S. She currently works for KTLA in Los Angeles.
-
Jim Lindberg
- Occupations
- singersongwriter
- Biography
-
James William Lindberg is an American singer and guitarist. Active since the 1980s, when he played in local bands in his early career, he is best known as the songwriter and lead singer of the punk rock band Pennywise, which he fronted from 1988 to 2009, and has again since 2012. He also founded The Black Pacific, who released a debut album in 2010.
-
Tony Clark
- Occupations
- trade unionistsports commentatorbaseball player
- Biography
-
Anthony Christopher Clark is an American professional baseball player and executive. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman from 1995 to 2009 and is the sixth executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), a position he has held since 2013.
-
Darla K. Anderson
- Occupations
- film producer
- Biography
-
Darla Kay Anderson is an American film producer who formerly worked at Pixar Animation Studios. She sits on the national board of directors for the Producers Guild of America.
-
Bob Goen
- Occupations
- actortelevision presenter
- Biography
-
Robert Kuehl Goen is an American game show emcee and television personality, best known for his work on Entertainment Tonight between 1993 and 2004 and as the fourth and final host of the daytime Wheel of Fortune from 1989 to 1991.
-
Kyle Turley
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
-
Kyle John Turley is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs and was selected seventh overall in the 1998 NFL draft. Turley played five seasons for the New Orleans Saints and a year with the St. Louis Rams before a serious back injury sidelined him for the 2004 and 2005 seasons. He returned to football in 2006 as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, where he spent the last two years of his career before announcing his retirement in December 2007. Turley's high level of play earned him All-Pro honors for the 2000 season and a Pro Bowl invite following the 2001 season. His career is best remembered by many for a 2001 incident in which he ripped off an opposing player's helmet and tossed it downfield, playing a key factor in his team losing the game but also earning the respect of many Saints fans for his defense of the quarterback.
-
Ty France
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
-
Tyler Lawrence France is an American professional baseball first baseman who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and Cincinnati Reds. France was an All-Star in 2022.
-
Deon Taylor
- Occupations
- film directorscreenwriter
- Biography
-
Deon Taylor is an American filmmaker, known for his work in horror and thriller films. He is the founder of Hidden Empire Film Group.
-
Julia Hall Bowman Robinson
- Enrolled in San Diego State University
- Studied in 1936-1939
- Occupations
- philosopheruniversity teachermathematician
- Biography
-
Julia Hall Bowman Robinson was an American mathematician noted for her contributions to the fields of computability theory and computational complexity theory—most notably in decision problems. Her work on Hilbert's tenth problem (now known as Matiyasevich's theorem or the MRDP theorem) played a crucial role in its ultimate resolution. Robinson was a 1983 MacArthur Fellow.
-
Edgar Gonzalez
- Occupations
- baseball managerbaseball player
- Biography
-
Edgar Gonzalez is an American former professional baseball second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants.
-
Brinke Stevens
- Occupations
- actorfilm actorscreenwriterfilm directormodel
- Biography
-
Brinke Stevens is an American actress. A native of San Diego, Stevens initially pursued a career as a marine biologist prior to becoming an actress, earning an undergraduate degree in biology from San Diego State University before studying marine biology at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Unable to find employment in the field of biology, Stevens began modeling in Los Angeles in 1980, and she worked as a film extra.
-
Damontae Kazee
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
-
Damontae Tyron Kazee is an American professional football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He played college football at San Diego State.
-
Marcus Slaughter
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
-
Marcus Anthony Slaughter is an American former professional basketball player. Standing at 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m), he primarily played at the center position. He completed his collegiate career playing for the San Diego State Aztecs.
-
Merrill McPeak
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
-
Merrill Anthony McPeak is a retired 4-star general in the United States Air Force whose final assignment before retirement was as the 14th Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 1990 to 1994.
-
Michael Cage
- Occupations
- basketball playerbasketball coach
- Biography
-
Michael Jerome Cage Sr. is an American former professional basketball player and current broadcast analyst for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
-
Andrew Lauer
- Occupations
- film actortelevision actorfilm directoractor
- Biography
-
Andrew Michael Lauer is an American feature and documentary filmmaker, actor, and social activist.
-
Florence Chadwick
- Occupations
- swimmer
- Biography
-
Florence May Chadwick was an American swimmer known for long-distance open water swimming. She was the first woman to swim across the English Channel in both directions, setting a time record each time. She was also the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel, the Straits of Gibraltar, the Bosporus (one way), and the Dardanelles (round trip).
-
Salvatore J. Cordileone
- Occupations
- Catholic priestCatholic bishop
- Biography
-
Salvatore Joseph Cordileone is an American prelate of the Catholic Church and the Archbishop of San Francisco in California since 2012. He previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Oakland in California from 2009 to 2012 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of San Diego in California from 2002 to 2009.
-
Justin Masterson
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
-
Justin Daniel Masterson is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher. Drafted by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2006 MLB draft from San Diego State University, he made his MLB debut two years later. Masterson also played in MLB for the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals. Known for primarily throwing a sinking fastball, the right-hander stands 6' 6" (198 cm) tall, and weighs 250 lb (113 kg).
-
J. J. Spaun
- Occupations
- golfer
- Biography
-
John Michael Spaun Jr., better known as "J.J.", is an American professional golfer.
-
Jamaal Franklin
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
-
Jamaal Eric Franklin is an American professional basketball player. Franklin played college basketball for San Diego State, where he was the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year as well as an All-American in his junior season. He was selected with the 41st overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies and spent two seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets. Franklin played eight seasons in the Chinese Basketball Association from 2014 to 2022. He has also played in the NBA Development League, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
-
Ricardo Lara
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
-
Ricardo Lara is an American politician who is currently serving as the 8th Insurance Commissioner of California. Lara was elected during the 2018 election, defeating former California insurance commissioner Steve Poizner.
-
Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga
- Occupations
- businesspersonpolitician
- Biography
-
Lolo Letalu Matalasi is an American Samoan politician, educator, and businessman. He served as the seventh governor of American Samoa, from 2013 to 2021.
-
Roger Benitez
- Occupations
- lawyerjudge
- Biography
-
Roger Thomas Benitez is a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. He is known for his rulings striking down several California gun control laws.
-
Scott H. Swift
- Occupations
- United States Naval Aviatormilitary officer
- Biography
-
Scott Harbison Swift is a retired admiral in the United States Navy, serving as the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet from May 27, 2015 to May 17, 2018. He previously served as the director of Navy Staff in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
-
La'Roi Glover
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
-
La'Roi Damon Glover is an American professional football coach and former player who is the defensive line coach for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Glover played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs. He enjoyed a 13-year career in which he made six-consecutive Pro Bowls and was a four-time All-Pro selection. He spent five seasons with the New Orleans Saints (1997–2001), four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (2002–2005) and finished his playing career with the St. Louis Rams (2006–2008).
-
Lemanu Peleti Mauga
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
-
Lemanu Palepoi Sialegā Mauga is an American Samoan politician who served as the eighth governor of American Samoa from 2021 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Mauga served as a senator in the American Samoa Senate, where he became the chairman of both the Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
-
Addison Reed
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
-
Addison Devon Reed is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins.
