Hall of Fame
Guard
USF Career Years: 1932-34
Birthdate: June 17, 1912
Hometown: San Francisco
Louis Batmale was born on June 17, 1912 of French immigrant parents, and attended Lowell High School. He started playing basketball at the North Beach playgrounds, and he attended USF in the class of 1934. His first season with the Varsity Dons was in 1932 and they went 11-5 under their legendary Head Coach James Needles. Batmale finished his sophomore year with a total of 35 points, sixth on the team that season. The next two seasons, under the new Head Coach, Wally Cameron, he was in the group of players known as the “Brain Trust”, comprised of John Chambers, Emmet Keefe, Johnny Kincanon and John Mohr. The Dons achieved an overall record of 29-17 and were particularly tough when playing against rivals Saint Mary’s and Santa Clara. He and his teammates went to a combined 11-2 against the Gaels and the Broncos from 1932 to 1934.
Professionally, he worked as a regional basketball official for the WCAC, PAC-10 and NCAA. He received a Doctorate in Education at the University of California at Berkeley, and began teaching at Saint Ignatius College Preparatory and Commerce High Schools, but interrupted his career to serve in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant. After his military service, he returned and worked the next 37 years as a counselor, Dean of Boys, and as President of City College. He was later appointed First Chancellor of the San Francisco Community College District. City College dedicated Batmale Hall at their Phelan campus to him. He was a Trustee and Alumnus of the Year for the University of San Francisco.
