What Is 1957 Cal Poly Mustangs football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1957 Cal Poly Mustangs football team represented California Polytechnic State University in the 1957 NCAA College Division football season, finishing with a 3-6 record under head coach Les Davis. The team played its home games at Mustang Stadium in San Luis Obispo and was part of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). A tragic plane crash on October 29, 1957, killed 22 people, including 16 players, after a game at Ohio’s Bowling Green.

Key Facts

1957 Cal Poly Mustangs finished with a 3-6 overall record
Team was coached by Les Davis in his first season as head coach
Played home games at Mustang Stadium in San Luis Obispo
Participated in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA)
Tragic plane crash occurred on October 29, 1957, killing 22, including 16 players

Overview

The 1957 Cal Poly Mustangs football team represented California Polytechnic State University during the 1957 NCAA College Division football season. Competing in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), the team was led by first-year head coach Les Davis and played its home games at Mustang Stadium in San Luis Obispo, California.

The season is most remembered not for its on-field performance but for a devastating tragedy that struck the program. After a 20-7 loss to Bowling Green in Ohio on October 29, 1957, the team chartered a flight back, which ended in a fatal crash near Toledo, Ohio. The crash claimed 22 lives, including 16 players, six staff and crew members, and one supporter.

3-6 record: The Mustangs finished the 1957 season with three wins and six losses, a modest performance in a challenging schedule against regional college teams.
First-year coach:Les Davis took over as head coach in 1957, inheriting a program aiming to build consistency within the CCAA conference structure.
Home field: Games were held at Mustang Stadium, a modest on-campus venue that seated approximately 10,000 fans at the time.
Conference affiliation: Cal Poly competed in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, a Division II-level conference that included regional public universities.
Historic tragedy: The October 29, 1957 plane crash remains one of the deadliest in U.S. sports history, profoundly impacting the university and collegiate athletics nationwide.

Game Schedule and Season Events

The 1957 season began with cautious optimism, as Cal Poly sought to improve on previous years’ performances. The Mustangs opened the season with a mix of in-state and out-of-state opponents, culminating in a road trip to Ohio that would end in tragedy.

Season opener: Cal Poly defeated Whitworth College 20-13 on September 21, 1957, in their first game of the season at home.
Early struggles: The team lost two consecutive games to Fresno State (33-0) and San Francisco State (27-7), exposing defensive vulnerabilities.
Mid-season win: The Mustangs secured a 19-7 victory over Chico State on October 12, showcasing improved offensive execution.
Final game: On October 26, Cal Poly traveled to Bowling Green, Ohio, and lost 20-7 in what became the last game of the season.
Post-game tragedy: The charter flight from Toledo Express Airport crashed during takeoff in stormy weather, killing 16 of the 48 people aboard, including 16 players and staff.
Season canceled: Following the crash, Cal Poly canceled the remainder of its football schedule out of respect and mourning, ending the season prematurely.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1957 Cal Poly Mustangs season with the prior and following years to illustrate the program’s trajectory and the long-term impact of the tragedy.

Season	Record	Head Coach	Home Stadium	Notable Event
1956	3-6	Hugh Bradley	Mustang Stadium	Final season under Bradley
1957	3-6	Les Davis	Mustang Stadium	Plane crash kills 22, including 16 players
1958	0-10	Les Davis	Mustang Stadium	Team rebuilt from scratch; suffered winless season
1959	5-4	Les Davis	Mustang Stadium	Program shows signs of recovery
1960	7-3	Les Davis	Mustang Stadium	Strong rebound; team becomes competitive again

The data shows that while the 1957 team’s record mirrored the previous year, the emotional and logistical toll of the crash led to a complete rebuilding effort. The 1958 season’s 0-10 record reflects the loss of talent and experience, but the gradual recovery by 1960 demonstrates resilience and institutional support.

Why It Matters

The 1957 Cal Poly Mustangs season is a pivotal moment in American collegiate sports history, not for athletic achievement but for the human tragedy that followed. The plane crash profoundly influenced university policies, aviation safety in college athletics, and how institutions support grieving communities.

National awareness: The crash brought national media attention to the risks of charter flights used by college teams, prompting safety reviews.
Memorialization: Cal Poly established a memorial on campus honoring the victims, ensuring their legacy endures in university culture.
Aviation reforms: The accident contributed to later FAA scrutiny of charter airlines used by collegiate programs.
Team resilience: Despite losing most of its roster, Cal Poly rebuilt the team, symbolizing perseverance in the face of tragedy.
Psychological support: The event highlighted the need for mental health resources for student-athletes and staff after traumatic events.
Legacy in sports: The 1957 team is remembered annually, with commemorative events reinforcing unity and remembrance.

Today, the story of the 1957 Cal Poly Mustangs serves as both a somber reminder of loss and a testament to the strength of a university community united in healing and honor.