This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 9/7/2012.
The 1954-55 San Francisco Dons entered the ‘55 NCAA Tournament as the top-ranked team in the nation after posting a 28-1 regular season record. The Dons won their first two games of the tournament by an average of 21 points and advanced to the Elite Eight to face the Oregon State Beavers. Steve Balchios, along with his teammates and future Hall of Famers, Bill Russell and K.C. Jones, edged out a one-point win to move on and face Colorado in the Final Four. The Dons easily handled the Buffaloes and found themselves in the Championship game against the La Salle Explorers, the defending champs. Russell and Jones dominated the explorers, racking 47 points total on their way to a 14-point victory. It was the University’s first championship and the first of back-to-back titles for the USF Dons. This wooden award plaque measures 9” x 13” and weighs 3 lbs. It was presented to Steve Balchios after the University of San Francisco Dons won the 17th Annual NCAA Basketball Championship in 1955. The award features a brass basketball player and “NATIONAL COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP” in relief. Below is a brass plaque that reads “17TH ANNUAL TOURNAMENT ‘55 - FIRST PLACE” above the casted image of the official NCAA seal. The award is in NRMT condition and is accompanied by a LOA from Steve Balchios.