Santa Clara Broncos basketball — program history
Santa Clara University, a Jesuit institution founded in 1851, has played basketball since the early 1900s. The 'Broncos' nickname reflects the school's California ranching heritage. Santa Clara's greatest moment came in 1952 when the Broncos upset 19th-ranked UCLA and then edged Wyoming to reach their one and only Final Four appearance. The program has produced NBA standout Steve Nash, a two-time NBA MVP who played for the Broncos from 1992-1996, putting the small West Coast Conference school on the national map.
The name
The 'Broncos' nickname reflects Santa Clara's California ranching heritage and the untamed spirit of the wild horse
Signature moment
Steve Nash's college career from 1992-1996, turning a small Jesuit school into a nationally recognized basketball program
Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash led the Broncos to three NCAA Tournament appearances in 1993, 1995, and 1996
The Santa Clara Broncos compete in the WCC and hold an all-time record of 1632–1191 (.578 winning percentage) across 117 recorded seasons dating back to 1908-09. The program has reached 1 Final Four.
Season-by-season results
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