Oct. 19, 2006

(San Francisco) - USF Legend of the Hilltop and Hall-of-Famer Burl Toler will be honored for his long association with the San Francisco Unified School District when Benjamin Franklin Middle School will be renamed the "Burl Toler Campus. The ceremony will be held Sunday, October 22 from 11:00 AM to noon at Benjamin Franklin Middle School at 1430 Scott Street. For more information, please contact Cheryl at (415) 355-7323 to RSVP.

Toler played prep football in the East Bay at McClymonds High School and earned two varsity letters at the University of San Francisco beginning in 1950 after an outstanding career at City College of San Francisco. While at CCSF, Toler teamed with future Dons teammate and NFL Hall-of-Famer Ollie Matson to lead the school the "Mythical Junior College National Championship in 1948.

An exceptionally versatile two-way player, Toler was an anchor on the offensive line and a standout linebacker. Toler was an essential component of the Dons fabled 1951 "Unbeaten, Untied, Uninvited" team, which, despite a perfect 9-0 record, was denied a bowl bid because it refused to leave its two African-American players behind, Toler included. Faced with mounting financial difficulty involved with funding big time football, the university dropped the program prior to the 1952 season.

Toler continued his connection with his alma mater by serving on the USF Board of Trustees

Although a serious knee injury suffered during the 1952 Chicago All-Star Game ended what assuredly would have been an outstanding professional football career, Toler maintained his connection with the sport, later becoming the NFL's first African-American official. After entering the NFL in 1965, Toler worked two Super Bowls before retiring in 1990.

Organizers for the 2006 Emerald Bowl, held December 27 at AT&T Park have announced the 1951 USF Football team will be honored in a halftime ceremony.