University of San Francisco Athletics

Father Jim Giambastiani was a native of Los Angeles, and a Roman Catholic Priest. He taught at USF for 15 years, beginning in 1939. He taught Theology, and was Student Chaplain. He interrupted his USF career to serve in the United States Army as a Chaplain in Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and in Panama. At the time, he was one of the few chaplains able to minister to the Spanish-speaking troops. He served for three years as a Captain and spent most of his time in the Caribbean.

On April 8, 1946, Father Jim returned to USF to teach and to resume as a student counselor. A March 30, 1946 Foghorn article stated on his return: “The outstanding event of the rally was the appearance of Don-spirit personified, Father Jim. Amid a thunder of applause, Father Jim rose to speak and demonstrated that the Don spirit had reached new heights.”

As Dean of Students, Father Jim would start his day, roaming the halls greeting students. A noted practical joker and talented mimic, he was probably best remembered for his imitation of Benito Mussolini. In addition to his fun-living nature, Father Jim was a deeply spiritual man and student athletes valued him for his wise counsel. In a 1985 letter entitled the “Importance of Athletics to the Educational Program at USF,” Father Jim wrote: “First of all, it is in perfect harmony with the aims and purpose of that program: the rounding out and complete development of the student: intellectually, spiritually, and physically. May USF continue to offer athletic scholarships to deserving young men and women with all its attendant benefits.”  An athletic scholarship was established in his honor.