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Aztecs on the Biggest Stages

From Hall of Famers and Olympians to champions and MVPs, San Diego State has produced elite athletes who have left their mark across the professional sports world.

San Diego State's impact extends far beyond campus.

For decades, Aztec student-athletes have carried the university's competitive spirit to the highest levels of professional sports, building careers that have earned championships, MVP honors, Olympic medals, Hall of Fame inductions, and international recognition.

Whether on football fields, basketball courts, baseball diamonds, golf courses, or track and field venues around the world, former Aztecs have competed at the highest levels of professional and international sports.

Their accomplishments have elevated both their own legacies and the reputation of San Diego State, demonstrating that athletes developed on Montezuma Mesa can compete — and win — on the biggest stages in the world.

Marshall Faulk

Marshall Faulk

NFL MVP | Super Bowl Champion |
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Few athletes have represented San Diego State on a larger stage than Marshall Faulk.

After becoming one of the most electrifying players in college football history, Faulk was selected No. 2 overall in the 1994 NFL Draft and went on to build a Hall of Fame career. A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and one of the most productive running backs in league history, Faulk established a standard for professional success that future Aztecs would continue to follow.

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Tony Gwynn

Tony Gwynn

3,141 Career Hits | 15-Time All-Star | 
Baseball Hall of Fame

Tony Gwynn's legacy extends far beyond baseball.

A standout in both baseball and basketball at San Diego State, Gwynn became one of the greatest hitters in Major League Baseball history. His 3,141 career hits, eight National League batting titles, and Hall of Fame career made him one of the most beloved figures in the sport and one of the most influential ambassadors in San Diego State history.

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Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard

2-Time NBA Champion | 2-Time NBA Finals MVP |
2-Time NBA Defensive Player of the Year

The next generation of Aztecs continued that tradition.

After helping elevate San Diego State Basketball to national prominence, Kawhi Leonard emerged as one of the defining players of his era. A two-time NBA Champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, and seven-time NBA All-Star, Leonard became one of the most accomplished players ever to wear an Aztec uniform.

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Xander Schauffele

Xander Schauffele

Olympic Gold Medalist | Two-Time Major Champion

San Diego State's influence reaches well beyond traditional team sports.

Xander Schauffele developed into one of the world's top golfers after his time on The Mesa, earning multiple PGA TOUR victories, winning Olympic gold for Team USA, and capturing two major championships in 2024.

His success reflects the ability of Aztec student-athletes to compete at the highest levels of international competition.

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Shanieka Ricketts

Shanieka Ricketts

Olympic Silver Medalist |
Two-Time World Championship Silver Medalist

On the international stage, Shanieka Ricketts has become one of Jamaica's most accomplished track and field athletes.

After winning three NCAA triple jump championships at San Diego State, Ricketts continued her success professionally, earning Olympic and World Championship medals while becoming one of the world's elite competitors in her event.

Her achievements demonstrate the global reach of San Diego State Athletics and its ability to develop champions across a wide range of sports.

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Stephen Strasburg

Stephen Strasburg

No. 1 Overall Pick | 2019 World Series MVP

Stephen Strasburg's journey from Aztec ace to World Series champion further cemented San Diego State's reputation for producing elite talent.

After rewriting the SDSU record book and earning the 2009 Golden Spikes Award, Strasburg became the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft. He went on to help lead the Washington Nationals to a World Series championship in 2019, earning World Series MVP honors in the process.

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By The Numbers

Pro FootballHall of Fame

Member

BaseballHall of Fame

Member

NFLMVP
OlympicGold

Medalist

OlympicSilver

Medalist

NBAChampion

& Finals MVP

World SeriesMVP
Major ChampionshipWinners

The success of Aztecs in professional sports reflects something larger than individual achievement.

Across generations, San Diego State has developed athletes capable of competing with the best in the world while representing the university on their sport's biggest stages.

From Hall of Fame careers and Olympic medals to championships and MVP awards, former Aztecs continue to shape the legacy of San Diego State Athletics far beyond campus.

As SDSU enters a new era in the Pac-12, those accomplishments serve as a reminder of what is possible for the next generation of Aztec student-athletes.