University of San Francisco Athletics

Athlete All-American

Fred Shew

Honors:
Baseball (1946-1947), Football (1942, 1946-1947)

Top Coast Collegiate Team

In 1946, USF’s first season following World War II, the Dons won the crown of the Collegiate Nines of the West, finishing the season 8-1. USF won a two-game series against Saint Mary's, Santa Clara and Stanford, and in single games, beat San Jose State and San Francisco State. The team's only defeat came at the hands of the California Bears, losing due to a controversial 9th-inning decision.

Coach Pete Newell, in his first year, could count on hitting from the bottom half of his lineup, for all nine men were "money ballplayers" who got their hits in the clutch. As a result, the Dons outscored their opponents three to one. The team was headlined by Con Dempsey, whose fastball drove a 7-1 record, and center fielder Paul Schramka, who maintained a .410 average, and team standouts included pitcher Ed Garcia, Ed Granitz, Ernie Del Simone, Johnny Rotar, Ed Hanna, Fred Shew, Joe Vevoda, Frank Manko and "Dippy" Oreste Matteucci. A late addition to the lineup was Forest "Scooter" Hall, who ended the season with a .467 batting percentage in 30 appearances at bat.

Newell, who brought a brand of "hubba hubba ball" to the Dons, was chiefly responsible for the team's success. Seldom did a coach receive as much praise as was heaped upon Newell by his players. A player quote in the March 6, 1946 issue of the Foghorn says, "From what I've seen, I think he's a swell guy, the kind of ball he plays is fast and colorful. Fans will get their money's worth." And they did, as the 1946 USF Dons became the top Collegiate Baseball Team on the Pacific Coast. Fred Shew was a native of Trinidads, CO and played football for the Dons in 1942. He joined the United States Coast Guard along with Dante Benedetti and played for their Sea Lions. He was 6' 3", 210 lbs., and played fullback. He rejoined USF after the war and played football and baseball (USFAthletics).

Schedule

Athlete All-American

Footer

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Event: Men's Golf at El Macero Classic - Day One on Apr. 10, 2026

Upcoming Event: Beach Volleyball versus Concordia (Calif.) on Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Baseball versus San Diego on Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Beach Volleyball at Pepperdine on Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Golf at El Macero Classic - Day Two on Apr. 11, 2026

Upcoming Event: Track and Field versus Jim Linthicum Invitational on Apr. 11, 2026

Upcoming Event: Beach Volleyball at Pepperdine on Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Upcoming Event: Baseball versus San Diego on Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

Athlete All-American

Footer